Cold Harbour — Restaurant in England

I decided to treat my parents to a meal in the Cold Harbour, Swindon as I had received a promotional A5 through the door offering a 20% off voucher for our next visit. I checked them out online and was impressed with the Menu. I even asked around friends and colleagues to see if anyone else rated the place.

Seemed positive enough and to sweeten the deal I opted in to a Fathers Day Special which was advertised through the site as a chain wide promotion. Having read the terms and conditions it was made clear to partake in the deal all I needed to do was to specifically book a table through their website and we were to be seated after 6.30PM. Seemed perfect 3 courses for the price of 2... Perfect. I received the confirmation email and off we went.

We all headed down to the restaurant for our allocated time with 15 mins to spare as we imagined this place to be quite busy being Fathers day and all...

No one greeted us and 75% of the tables were empty. So we approached the bar and thought we'd query there whilst getting a pre meal round in. The individual at the bar quite happily got us our drinks which we subsequently needed to take a loan out for, they were so dear. Whilst we stood at the bar we got asked to move as we were blocking the "runway through" or whatever - at least this got us noticed. (not that it was intentional) So the most irritated woman finally found us a table as the reservation and name was on the lone standing reservation book, however no one seemed to know actually which way was up. Still. Gave them the benefit of the doubt.

Overall It took the restaurant and there circus of staff close to 3 hours to deliver the 3 courses.

We had noted another couple and toddler (came in as we were seated) who had actually been told that they couldn't have the promoted steak deal of the day as they had run out. By the time we had finished our starter and gotten half way through our main they had just received their incorrect starters! I don't recall them staying for the main and leaving their half drunk drinks on the table...

Clearly it wasn't just us lucky lot. Before we requested the bill I raised the fact that I had opted in for the 3 for 2 promotion which was clearly reserved as required online. The lovely man had not first heard of the promotion and decided to take 30 min's about querying this with his senor member of staff. Having done the rounds he returned and decided that this was not the case. To which I showed him the email and he still insisted that not only was it not a valid deal that they could not honour it. He continued to argue with me which I'm fairly sure other surrounding customers were really enjoying much to my discomfort. He took a further 20 mins to go and 'work out the best corse of action'. Finally, after insisting it was not a valid deal he'd obviously been enlightened as apparently they could do the deal but only if I had a piece of paper with me which apparently I should have received and printed out. I simply advised the man that the email with my confirmation of both the deal and the reservation did not include a form. Surely this would be solved simply by him issuing a blank one so that I could give the chain the info the required. This was not possible either.

Basically the restaurant delivered lovely food. The reasonable price for good food was clearly compensated by the sky high prices for drinks and the absurdly appalling service.

They did agree eventually to honour the deal. But I was so shocked that an establishment could behave collectively in this way, that I will never eat at a Chef and Brewer again. Specifically The Cold Harbour. Save your money, time and sanity and go somewhere else with a respectable level of...

The Cold Harbour Pub is a welcoming and traditional British pub offering a satisfying combination of hearty meals, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re dropping in for a casual lunch or a quiet evening meal, this pub delivers a genuinely enjoyable experience.

The menu features classic pub fare with generous portions and comforting flavours. Popular dishes like fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and Sunday roasts are well-prepared and consistently tasty. The burgers are juicy, and the sides—including onion rings and chips—are fresh and crispy. Vegetarian and kids’ options are available, making it a good choice for families. Their desserts, especially the sticky toffee pudding, are worth saving room for!

Service is generally prompt and efficient, even during busy hours. Meals are served hot and within a reasonable wait time. Orders are taken with care, and any special requests are usually accommodated without fuss.

The staff are friendly, approachable, and helpful. They contribute to the laid-back and welcoming vibe of the place. You’ll often be greeted with a smile and served with genuine warmth, which enhances the overall experience.

For the price point, the quality of food and service is excellent. It’s not fine dining, but it doesn’t try to be—it’s honest, satisfying pub food served in a clean, comfortable setting. Value for money is a strong point here.

The pub has a classic, cozy interior with traditional wood décor, soft lighting, and ample seating. There’s a relaxed and unpretentious charm about the place. Whether you’re visiting with friends, family, or on your own, it feels inviting and homely. Some locations of Cold Harbour Pubs also offer outdoor seating, which is a bonus on sunny days.

If you’re looking for a classic British pub experience with good food, fair prices, and friendly service, Cold Harbour Pub is a solid choice. Perfect for a relaxed meal, a pint with friends, or a casual evening out.

There is ample space for parking. Apart from all, the scenic views around the pub...

Meal for 2 adults, celebrating Christmas night away. I eat everything my partner doesn't eat meat.. She found the menu limiting (complete lack of specials) the cod on the Christmas menu was described as wrapped in bacon, we asked it could be. Cooked without the bacon and we were initially told yes, then the waitress came back & said no. My oartners starter - breaded cheese was terrible, burnt on the surface nd all the cheese had boiled out in the fryer, we were left with empty crispy burnt crumbs, we did complain and were brought 3 more wedges, 2 were very nice, one was almost empty. I can only reduce that these are fried from frozen & the "chef" can't time them properly - The crispy squid was disappointingly chewy and a little limp. Our mains, sea bass and cheese and bacon burger were average, the bacon on the burger wasn't crisped, it was a lump of limp back bacon rather than nice crispy rashers of streaky. The burger was just average, bland chunk of minced beef, too thick, not smashed or flattened... the sea bass was cooked nicely and the veg were done well but it was a small portion for a main course. My fries were sadly lacking any seasoning ( I did add salt, but I would expect them to come seasoned) and tbh I would have preferred chunky or skin on fries but was not offered the option (don't know if it is an option TBh). We had a coffee and a cheesecake - both were nice. 2 glasses of d y white and some sparkling water. All in all we spent £75 and sadly left feeling a bit flat. There were no chef's specials even though there were numerous boards stating the chefs name and "(ask about his specials). I was really looking forward to the visit and my burger - but it all felt like a wasted evening out and a lot of £ for the experience. To top it off we both felt cold in the restaurant. We aren't a moaning couple and don't make a fuss, but we both left feeling flat and a...