The Chequers Inn

We stayed here for a 4 night break. It is a large pub with many play items outside for children, although there were not many around during our stay. The staff here must be the best of any pub in the UK, with plenty of time to chat, even when the pub and retaurant were busy. Angela was very helpful with ideas of places to visit and Rosie, Adam, Vanessa, Joe and all the others were very friendly and efficient. Our room, room 1, was very spacious as was the bathroom. There were biscuits, chocolates and pleasant toiletries provided and a king size bed. Large fluffy towels also there. One slight snag was that our room had not been serviced when we returned to the pub on Friday afternoon, but the barman soon rectified this, As for food, you need a big appetite as the portions, in addition to always being well cooked, are large as is the breakfast which has a large selection. On Thursdays, it is Steak Night and there is a very large choice of steaks which you only pay the price they paid their butcher. One thing we would have liked was a garden to sit at outside, although there was a patio and several tables adjoing the play area.

I visited the Chequers with friends for a Sunday carvery. Nice setting and a pleasant atmosphere - apart from a child at a nearby table throwing food onto the floor. Generally, the food was good. Meat excellent- very tender pink beef and good roast potatoes. Good selection of vegetables but everything under seasoned - apart from the pork crackling which was excessively salty. Yorkshire puds were rather dry. The gravy, however, was transparent, gloopy and lacked flavour. Veg and potatoes very similar to a Toby but Toby gravy issuperior. I had the 'small' helping, which meant I was obliged to use a small plate, therefore, cutting the food was awkward as it tended to spill over the edge. Normal dinner plates are not permitted! As the amount of meat depends on the small or larger option, I really can't see that having a normal dinner plate would mean a measurably lower profit for the pub. In all, a good carvery but only slightly better than a Toby.

Great stay at a nice, clean property. Room was a nice size and well decorated with some nice touches. Breakfast included was very nice. Great service from all staff from moment we arrived to moment we left.