The Chequers in Hainford – Hainford

Our Christmas Day ruined. I would like to give no stars!!! We were put in a cold barn and not the pub - not what we booked. It was freezing. The door was open the whole time in December. There were no table cloths. Paper napkins. Very very cheap crackers. A candle, which remained unlit even though I requested it was lit. Not what you would expect on Christmas Day when it was £89 per person. To get to the said barn we had to go through the pub, outside and through the smoking area, which was unkempt and had dog mess on the path. It felt like going to a roadside cafe. The cutlery wasn’t even set out correctly 😳. My glass was dirty. The service was appalling. The food was dreadful. My father had one roast potato on his dinner. The sprouts were rock hard. We had to send our food back as it was burnt. Nobody was offered any condiments not even cranberry sauce. We had a metal disc in the pudding. The table was tiny and would barely sit 4 and there were 5 of us. They told us we couldn’t put one on the end as we would be in their way. But we couldn’t fit, let alone eat. They said nobody has ever complained, but we heard multiple complaints. The table next to us left and said they would never return. We also will never return. The attitudes of the staff and owner was disappointing. I overheard a staff member complaining about the customers.

Walked in without booking on a Monday lunchtime, friendly welcome, seated in a cosy restaurant area with open fire, perfect as it was a very wet and cold day. Very friendly waitress, great knowledge of the food, went for the seasonal offer and was not disappointed, absolutely amazing lamb burger and the hot chocolate and cappuccino cake was delicious. Would definitely recommend and look forward to going again! (Which will be very soon as I left my hat there!)

Surprisingly dead on a Friday evening. Food was excellent, but service was bizarrely slow considering there was barely anyone else in there. We were stuck on a small table by a draughty chimney, which was odd when as it turned out they could have given us any table. It took 30 minutes for our order to be taken. Staff just seemed to disappear. When we asked for our bill it came and then the waitress disappeared to clean the few other tables and seemed surprised when I wanted to pay. Very strange that this isn't more popular given the quality of the food and the interesting menu choices

Dropped in for a snack and a pint on a quiet Monday. The "ordinary pub burger" was arguably one of the most delicious, well trimmed burgers I have tasted in 77 years. The young lady at the bar was absolutely charming and caught a perfect note of welcome and good service. Menu looked really interesting and the lunch deal good value. I shall definitely return for a more formal meal, of which I have high hopes. Many thanks for such a pleasant experience.

Worst dining experience and family meal in a very long time, for what was meant to be a birthday and family celebration. Very overpriced for basic meals - would give no stars if I could. Service was very slow, with food delivered 65-70 minutes after arrival. Pie of the week was bolognese pie - more Dolmeo than home made sauce and Pasta Primavera included burnt/synged pasta and cabbage as a substitute for samphire. Will not be going back.