Druids Head — Restaurant in England

My family and I stopped by The Druids Head on the 28th June 2024 around 1730 hours. Whist I ordered drinks my family found a quiet table, not too much of a problem at that time. Our food order was taken at the table and we relaxed sipping our drinks. A staff member busied herself collecting empty glasses from the afternoon's proceedings and stared at me and my family. Clearly she was troubled and walked up to me demanding ID. I gave her my driving licence but she wanted ID for my kids too. I don't tend to walk around carrying passports since many local businesses insist on collecting for NGO which have in turn made the whole area a little third world, and all the increased security issues that go with illigal immigration. Since I was unable to prove they were 25 she insisted on confiscating my son's empty glass and my daughters beer. I said no choosing instead to drink it myself. I was informed we could continue with the meal with soft drinks. Fed up with her attitude I decided on a full refund instead. Whilst processing the refund I asked her when the legal age to consume alcohol had been raised in England. After three attempts with the same question it turns out the legal age hasn't changed and it is just a local pub agreement to stop rowdy youngsters. One again, my children were well behaved and under full parental guidance and it was only 1730 hrs. Having completed the transaction and receiving a full refund of £71.10 I returned to the table to finish that excellent beer. I replaced the chairs to their place and returned the empty glasses to the bar. One thing left to do was to walk out, past shocked punters and a bloke behind the bar shaking his head. I heard a "sorry" as I closed the front door. I have attached valid drinking laws which your staff might like to inwardly digest to avoid any such further embarrassing episodes. I must say however, that pint was the best pint I have...

Average at best. The food took over an hour to arrive - when we asked and queried how long it would be we were told that it was the next due out of the kitchen, 15 to 20 minutes later it arrived. Initially we were told 30 minutes.

The staff appeared rushed and were really grumpy. If you stood near the glass collection area boy did you know it; people who were asked to move by the staff were done so in a really in-polite way. What happened to good service. A better explanation at the time that we ordered our food about how long it was likely to take was all that was needed (about 30 minutes); we could then have had the choice of either choosing to stay or to go elsewhere. As it was I'd have preferred to go elsewhere. It doesn't matter how busy you are, a polite word, a smile or a please or thank you doesn't go a miss. In a service industry with so much competition your business can stand or fall - and as part of a national chain you either need to improve your customer service or improve the work environment so that the staff are happier. It was a really disappointing visit, when the food arrived it was average at best, the crust on the steak pie was solid and dry.

I didn't even bother taking any photos, which is rare by...

I went here for food for the first time today, I had been in for a drink a few times previously but this was the first time I had eaten there. I ordered the sausage and mash and specifically asked for the sausages to be well cooked. The server told me she would see what she could do and I categorically told her that if they could not do them well done I would prefer to order something else, as I wouldn't eat them. She said she would make sure if it and I placed my order. When they came they had barely been cooked, they had no colour to them at all and I politely told the person that brought them to the table that I had ordered then we'll done and would not be able to eat them like that. He apologised and said he would take care of it. I waited more than an hour and when they finally came back to me they were really not cooked that much more but the mash and cabbage were like rubber and the gravy had congealed. It was a truly awful meal and I couldn't eat it. 😢 when I told the person who cleared my nearly full plate this he just said sorry and walked off! No attempt to make amends or offer of a refund. I was actually quite shocked. I will clearly never eat there again and advise others...