The Mount Inn Stanton — Restaurant in Tewkesbury

The Mount The Mount public house in Stanton, north east Gloucestershire is famous for the views across parts of the Cotswolds. Better views can be had from the high wolds but the short climb to The Mount provides good local ale, food and a view. However, on two visits — one in late Spring 2021 and again in October 2022 — have persuaded me never ever to return. This pub was short staffed on both visits but it is not the wait that I’m complaining about but the rudeness of the staff. On my last visit I was third in line at the bar and with two other customers behind me. In the 15 minutes wait not one member of staff apologised for the wait in fact, completely ignoring us all, absolutely no eye contact. No smile or explaining why there was a problem. Just so rude. As Tom Kerridge explains, it’s not just about the food but that the front of house staff must be polite, welcoming and efficient. In other words treat each customer as special. The first visit we had a meal, basic pub food but OK. On the last visit a sign warned of staff shortage and that no food would be served to outside tables. Asking for a lunchtime menu I was told did you book. No , was my answer. A leaving punter said to me and staff, we were walk-ins have our table as we are leaving. Another group also said they hadn’t book. It was 13.30 and the Inn closed at 15.00. No luck, we were informed that the kitchen was closed. We had a pint, packet of crisps and looked at the view while sitting outside and left. All customers, bar one, were tourists. The decor outdated and the original pub was lost under unsympathetic additions. The pub does have a side entrance for disabled access but no toilet facilities and the toilets there have steps to and from the bar and terrace. Asking locals, on our walk back to where we’re staying, told us The Snowshill Arms in Snowshill or The Partridge in Stanway were the best in the area. Both selling lovely Donnington beers. Fortunately we were staying in Snowshill and, yes a great friendly pub where locals were happy to engage in chat and were so welcoming. Bar staff allowed a tab and smiled and talked, a complete contrast to The Mount. Forget The Mount and take the views from climbs such as Shenberrow Hill, 304m. Or, Broadway Hill, 223m. Walk through ancient forests like Littleworth. Full of beech, English oak, holly and yew. So beautiful. Plenty of lovely walks to enjoy and good old fashioned county pubs with good beers. Stanton is worth walking through for its beautiful architecture but The Mount is just not worth the effort — although it does have a large car park. The one star for The Mount is, at least, they’re selling the satisfying Donnington Beer brewed nearby in...

I have heard the Mount Inn described as a lovely pub in a beautiful location undermined by its management. I experienced this approach when I tried to book a table for the night before my wedding in the neighbouring Stanway.

The booking was for dinner for 10 people and I first tried to book around three months in advance. I tried to call a number of times, but each time reached a voicemail message which advised me to email for bookings; so I emailed and (despite gently chasing some weeks later), received no response.

Given the lack of response, I decided to pop in one evening to try to book in person: there, I spoke to the manager, who seemed to be aware of my previous attempts to book by email. She told me in no uncertain terms that it would be impossible to accommodate 10 people (in two months' time) because the pub does not take bookings for large groups. Surprised, I suggested we sit in two tables of five and were served separately: I was told this was also impossible. No alternative proposal was offered: we could not eat there. (It goes without saying that there were significantly more than 10 people sat for dinner in the pub on the evening I went to book.)

I went away disappointed, but thought I would give it one last chance: I followed up with an email politely requesting that they reconsider taking our booking, and suggesting that we could (i) sit in smaller groups and order separately, (ii) pre-order our meals to ensure the kitchen was not overwhelmed, and/or (iii) order from a reduced menu – e.g. all having fish and chips. I received no response, despite gently following up by email again a few weeks later.

It's all just very disappointing. We were staying in the Stanton Guildhouse – just next door to the Mount – and were looking forward to a nice local meal in a quiet pub with lovely views before the wedding. But, for reasons I cannot understand, management was entirely unwilling to accommodate us – despite my making a number of suggestions to avoid the kitchen being overwhelmed (which, in any event, it shouldn't be by a group of 10).

We decided to pop by on the night in question for a drink outside - and were eyed suspiciously by the manager through the window. Again, there were significantly more than 10 people sat for dinner in the pub that evening.

The Mount's management are lucky that they have a stunning location, limited local competition and a competent chef, as the pub's success seems to have been achieved despite their...

Fantastic 🇬🇧 Please read this review, then read the reviews with the the selfish comments from the people who have some bizarre ideas that they are experts in hospitality. This was our second visit 12 months on in September, first visit was on a evening to eat and watch the sunset , our second visit was for lunch, it’s a first come first served, We were there an hour before opening time and not a customer in sight, but at 11.58 there was an army of people turning up, it was like these people had been hiding in the bushes and they had not eaten for days. We got a table for the two of us and the three dogs, dogs went straight under the table and went to sleep. Food and service was exceptional, and what is even more exceptional is that the lady seating people was also serving drinks, serving the food and taking payment, I’ve never seen anyone work so hard and serve so many, she was under pressure and working nonstop, The only thing that upset me on the day was listening to some of the customers commenting that she was rude, she was not rude, she was trying to please many people, please don’t let it offend you if someone is working hard and trying their best. This couple work so hard, one chef and one waitress managing to turn out some fantastic food, and home grown, and locally sourced produce. This pub is in a fantastic location and a first come first serve basis in my mind. We will be returning. I just disheartens me when people can be so judgmental when leaving a review not knowing what it’s like to be a small business. We were delighted with the food and service. Also at the right price 🥰🇬🇧 We will definitely go back when in the area, Real food, real ale and real...