White Hart Inn — Restaurant in Forest of Dean

First time in Forest of Dean, booked online for two nights, having read reviews and seen the pictures from management - they did not prepare us for the down-at- heel exterior - food strewn on the decking area, barking guard dogs, dirty windows and dirty exterior paintwork. The place does not open until 4pm, so we went elsewhere for lunch. We were told that The White Hart had recently had a full interior refurb recently, which was cheering. When we returned to book in, the interior was very much as a city centre pub would look, the only member of staff was pleasant, clear communicator and helpful. We were expected to choose not only our evening meal at that point, but what we would have for breakfast as well. This was relayed by telephone elsewhere. The supper options were limited - we had informed in advance that we are vegetarians - but they only had half of those options available, to be cooked by the landlord's 17 year old daughter because the owners were away! We chose scampi and chips in the end. The overall impression of the downstairs area was basic, with poor finish to older refurbishments, and from the elderly plastic plants in the dining room, that has yet to have its revamp. We were then showed to our room. No sign of a refurb, clean but tired looking, with flat pillows and a dirty single glazed window, The bathroom had had a refurb - and looked amazing, until we started to use it. The new towels were silky/non absorbent sort, ok if you are just staying for one night, but the heated rail was unheated. No hook behind the door to put clothes/towel. The shower had no instructions for use, was in a wetroom type area. Even with bare dry feet, the floor was slippery - no grooving nor safety mat. No grab rails. No instructions for use. Risk of scalding. I decided against a shower (there was no bath in the room). Chilly night, so I tried to get the bedroom radiator to work - the controls were behind a heavy cabinet that had the small elderly television on top. Waste of time - no heating was available. Only one side of the bed had a bedside cabinet. Breakfast was served on time, basic but adequate, by another pleasant member of staff, no other diners or staff. During the night we decided we were not prepared to stay another night even though we'd had to pay for both nights at check in - that gives some idea, I hope of our disappointment. I don't expect to go on holiday and have to go without a shower. There were no other staff around, no one around overnight it seemed, and no other guests. I emailed the pub to convey our disappointment and request a refund for the second night. There has been no reply and no refund. The dining room was lively at supper time - only with drinkers and local groups, but it gave the place a livelier vibe, but overall, and the staff were pleasant, but I cannot recommend the place due to the...

Upon arrival we thought omg what have we done and if we could have cancelled there and then we would have. Outside was busy, roudy and intimidating. Staff very welcoming and polite on arrival. Place looked ok from the bar and restaurant area. Going upstairs there was drip marks all the way up, I thought alcohol drips however on closer inspection the walls had been varnished and it was dripping varnish but very off putting. The stairs had a strange smell which continued in to the bedroom. I was dreading what we were going in to but pleasantly surprised as it appeared clean and functional. The tv didn’t work but that was ok as we didn’t want to watch anything. The bathroom looked new but unfinished and very shoddy workmanship, holes in the bathroom walls, in the shower area and boards on the wall unfinished. Mould on the ceiling and walls too. Would benefit from a shelf near the sink as there was nowhere to have soap, toothpaste, etc. The bed was ok, very rickety and the bedding was very tired, would benefit from new plain coloured bedding, this bedding was old and unironed. There were holes throughout the bedroom and behind the bed only half the wall painted. There was what looked like a door which had been plaster boarded over so another thing that was unfinished, such a shame as a little bit of care and attention to detail and it would have been far better. The room was advertised as sound proof, it wasn’t, road noise was loud and we could hear the noise from the bar. There was tea and coffee facilities but I wouldn’t have used the kettle, thick with limescale. We slept ok, the room was hot but they did provide a fan. Breakfast was between 0730-0830 hrs and we had to book any cooked food when we arrived, continental options also available. Lovely fruit, yoghurts, croissants, cereal and fresh berries. Could not ask for more. Cooked breakfast was plentiful, not the best quality items but it was good enough. Again the thing that saved it was the staff; polite, chatty, and nothing was too...

All bad reviews must have been before the new owners and renovations. Just stayed a weekend here with my partner and here's what we though: -owners are amazing, kind, welcoming people who instantly felt like friends taking care of us every moment we stayed. They always went the extra mile to ensure we had a lovely weekend. -food was out of this world, the burgers are on another level. It was all freshly cooked and hot. I don't think I've ever had a burger so good, we found out it's all locally sourced beef from a local farmer/butcher. room was clean and very modern with a comfy bed and great shower, and even after 2 nights the room still smelt like flowers. -breakfast was perfect, Twiz makes everything to order and made whatever we wanted from full English to just some toast. Could hardly hear the bar at night from the room, had no issues sleeping even when we knew the bar was noisy. on arrival we saw some customers arguing in the bar, this was bad timing but the situation was diffused in seconds by the owner and handled very well, to Apologize she left a little gift in our room for us which was unnecessary but so lovely and just sums up the attitude and personality of the owners.

100% would recommend the White Hart Inn to...