Saxon Mill Warwick — Restaurant in Warwick

We visited the Saxon Mill for Sunday dinner, after hearing about it's good reputation. However, we were really disappointed with the service we recieved. When we made the booking we made notes that I am a wheelchair user and my mother in law is disabled and can't walk up or down steps. We were able to get a blue badge parking bay by the entrance (although there were only 2), but when we went inside, we were led down a very long path, down steps (even though we said that we had notified them that we couldn't cope with steps) and right out to a building at the back of the pub, which was apparently the restaurant. We were led to a table right at the very far end (in a lot of pain by that point), and seated at a very small table which felt more suited to 3 people, not 5. It was very small and uncomfortable and we asked to be moved to a bigger table. The staff were not friendly or helpful or disability aware. Eventually, my husband found us a much more suitable table, serving the same food, right by the main entrance where we had come in to start with! They also had a step free path round to the back, which no one had told us about (despite being made aware of our disabilities), and there was no signage by the disabled parking to indicate the step free route. We ordered food at the bar, but it was the same menu as the main 'restaurant'. The beef roast dinner was lovely, and the beef cooked to perfection. The burger and chips was lovely too, as was the fish and chips. However, my daughter ordered crispy mango and soy noodles, which was not crispy at all. The rice noodles were overcooked, mushy and slimy, and the dish was tasteless. Sadly she couldn't eat it. I ordered sides of macaroni cheese, which was overly salted and a medley of green vegetables with samphire, green beans etc.. I love those vegetables, so was really looking forward to it, but when I chowed down, it tasted like it had been cooked in swimming pool water! There was a very strong chlorine taste which was awful. I asked the manager about it and he said they were cooked in fresh water, but my husband and son both tried it too, and almost spat it out! They both agreed the taste of chlorine was really strong. I can only imagine it was rinsed (like bagged salad) for preservation in the factory, but that the solution was too strong.

Sadly, by this point, we had lost our appetite for dessert, and didn't want to even stay there a minute longer, so we settled up and left. The manager was apologetic and did take the noodles and green veg off of our bill, but we were still left with a very unsatisfactory impression of the business.

It's a real shame, as the building itself was lovely and the setting by the river was beautiful. When we initially arrived I was going to enquire about hiring one of their function rooms for a party, but sadly we were put off. The icing on the cake, was when we asked where the disabled toilet was..... down the steps!!!

We won't be going back to this one, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone who...

We were seated by a very draughty old door, so i had to put my jacket back on, later i had to move over to other side of the table away from the cold. The lady opposite was also cold, as the door kept opening for people traipsing through regularly to the restaurant. We had a very expensive and disappointing Christmas Day lunch. We were told to get there at 11 30 am, which we rushed and adhered to. When we arrived in room by fire on ground floor we were the only people in the room. We thought that at least a few more people would be arriving at the very early time of 11 30 am, BUT NO. As there were only 2 of us it was very miserable, and the drinks, breads, and starters were served very quickly and we had eaten these by 11 45 ish. I was so upset i went to find the planner Kate, who was in the restaurant which was full of people. She said she would come and see our table. All she could keep saying was that the kitchen had to serve people in a strict order. So we could not get our point over, then another lady whom was another manager came to see us, explained again. I said no way were we going to have our main course on our own..She said we could wait for the other people to arrive, which was really not till 12 noon onwards for a few guests to arrive. So we duly waited for the other guests to eat their starters and then had our main courses, me Turkey, bullet hard brussels, roast potatoes awful, turkey ok. My husband had the rack of lamb which was very small with hardly any vegetables. I then asked the nice waitress if perhaps he could have a few roast potatoes, which she kindly said of course. I then had Christmas pudding and custard which was the smallest pudding i have ever had in a restaurant. My husband fared better as he had the cheeseboard, which was ok. As we had paid £15 extra for drinks at start and end, i thought i was getting a remarkable wine in a proper wine glass, but it came in a small flute, as you get for Proseco etc. Again my husband did better as he had a pint of Peroni. At end of meal i had a Mohito, which i was looking forward to, i started to drink it, but it affected my stomach badly, so left most of it. We then left as all i wanted was to get home to a warm house and take some antacids for my very painful stomach. There were some nice touches , with a Christmas card, and 2 chocs each in little boxes. The waitresses were very efficient and coped well. I forgot my phone in rush to get out so early, so have no pics to show. Sue...

This was my mother in laws 80th birthday, booked by my father in law. He attended and pre booked the upstairs restaurant over looking the river for 13 people they have been there several times before. upon arrival the table booked was not available!!!! we were offered the downstairs end room: no view, damp and cold. the radiator was set to heat 4 but stone cold. we were shown to the table and introduced to the server whom would see to all our needs. Well we were not attended to and I made several trips to the bar to order more drinks while waiting for the meal to arrive. once the food started to arrive drip fed by one member of staff the food was going cold while we politely waited for the birthday lady to receive her meal last. NO condiments were offered at this point, no tartar sauce for fish, mint sauce for the lamb of ketchup or mustard for the burgers. We had to ask and wait.....yet again.

I had the Dirty Burger, cold and blood red in the middle, fries covered in salt. soggy bread bun. however I choose not to complain as sitting next to my mother in law on her special day.

My mother in law had the lamb, it was so tough see asked for a steak knife to cut it. in fact she showed it to me it was 25% gristle and could not be eaten, she was upset but again her nature is not to complain.

We as a party enjoyed the time spent with family most of us travels over an hour to the Saxon mill venue. However our time there was marred by:

Un able to dine at the table booked. Non attentive servers. Cold food. Small; potions of food and we all agreed on this. Very poor value for money with a bill of £500.

To be honest we wont be returning, All in all a very bad experience that should have been a perfect day for someone whom has reached the age of 80. shame on the Saxon Mill you let yourself down...

Having posted this review I would like to make an Edit:

We have been contacted by The General Manager and they have offered my Mother and Father in Law an apology, they are reviewing their procedures and have made an offer to them in order to show good will.

Thank you for listening and taking...