The Windwhistle Inn — Restaurant in England

June 2023 review Good good, good service, pleasant staff. Evidence of significant investment outdoors. This is now a nice pub and restaurant. April 2023 review. Under new ownership for a couple of months I think. We've not rushed to the Windwhistle because of persistent disappointment over 4yrs. However... Nice greeting, decent menu with various specials. Speciality evenings ....steak / curry etc. Live music / events. We hadn't booked a table but needed table for 4. Lots of customers around the place in the bar and at tables. They were busy, which was unusual with such a stubborn reputation of customer dissatisfaction. Only two of us had arrived but got table for 4. Drinks order taken at the table within few minutes of sitting. Delayed food order till other guests arrived. Soon have in and ordered, 5 minutes later they arrived. Not a problem, their drinks order and food order taken straight away. We waited 15 minutes for our meal and pleasantly surprised when the others got their food too. Then two more friends arrived so we needed a bigger table....another drinks and food order taken immediately. 15 mins later their food arrived. All with no tut tutting, no tight lips, just a business like and friendly process aimed at satisfying our needs. We ordered the ubiquitous haddock, chips and peas which was so tasty and fresh. Curry, bangers & mash and a prawn dish and everyone was pleased with their meal. Couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, beer, tonic n lime.

We are going to go again next week to double check, but first impression was very positive.

Outside work was being done to improve the garden / patio areas.

Thanks, things are looking up for the Windwhistle.

Previous Review pre-covid 2020 There's a strange atmosphere at the Windwhistle Inn that is the reason I visit only occasionally, yet each time I do visit I feel the same slightly surly attitude from the guy behind the bar and a total lack of...

Oh my, let's start from the beginning. We had a table booked for ten a couple of sundays ago. Turned up 15min early to be told they have just given our table to another party. "Thought you were a no-show" said the owner. We actually spoke on the phone that very morning to confirm and add one more. "No worries, we'll put you in the function room". Very cold, very grim and used as a store room. No I said, this isn't going to happen. After about ten minutes of faffing about they sorted another table. Fine. No one offered any menus or take a drinks order, so we got our own drinks. Finally ordered, most having the carvery. Went to get our meals which were being served by one staff member, who also had to go and top up the meats, potatoes and veg etc. It took ages to be served, so long in fact, we suggested he needed help. To which a female staff (owners wife?) came over and obviously took offence to the criticisms and took the plate from one of the party and told them to leave. Rest of party stayed as had already started eating. Food was absolutely terrible, think Cash & Carry and you wont be far wrong. No one finished their meal so we asked to settle the bill. They had added extra drinks, a bottle of wine and two extra meals! Once sorted I said that I wont be paying their bill but I will pay what I thought it was worth. I actually deducted £20 but they didn't want to know that. "You can f off with that!" he said. No, I'm legally entitled to exercise my right. "Do you want me to come round there (bar) and sort this out?" "Right! Lock the gates, dont let them out!" I'm laughing at the stupidity of this man (owner) by now. They wanted my personal details at this stage, but that wasn't going to happen. They took the money and told us not to come back...ever. There's more but I think you get the idea. They have absolutely no idea how to run a pub. They were three weeks in with all new staff, if this lasts a year I'll...

Honestly the worst experience I have had for a simple birthday meal the starters was ok very poor selection of food , 3 of us ordered fish and not one of us could eat it two was sent back as full of bones but on the menu as fillet and someone had microwaved mash potatoes which was clearly out of date all they offered was to refund 1 meal even tho 4 of them was completely below standards will never be returning wouldn't recommend unless u enjoy chewing bones and regular trips to the toilet.

As I can't reply as I have already reviewed I'll just edit this as stated to your very kind waitress I pleaded her to bring the fish back out so I could do your job for u and prove u served more bone than fish and more batter than fish as me personally didn't consume anything more than the poorly cooked chips provided which personally was probably shop brought oven cooked at best , the peas was not even fully cooked I honestly hope your regulars visit their doctors urgently as such simple food was so difficult wish I took pictures please check your microwave packets of mash as the one u served us was out of date a quick restock from Tesco's should resolve that and also the trained chef is almost correct she stated she is in the catering industry but u hid in your kitchen and clearly when food comes back and instead of owning up to poor quality u send the waitress to deal with it , extremely poor food overpriced when u can get such higher quality almost anywhere down to the point where even the cutlery was rusty , and while on the subject of free meals yes it was a birthday celebration and thank u very much for letting us use 6 plates and a knife after spending £140 on fish that wasn't eaten u...