Marston's Reviews 349

Wellllll!! We arrived at the Kingsway pub/hotel in Derby, checked in and the staff member gave us the room key card but didn’t put the number on it…I popped it in my pocket and we left for the wedding event…
We were lucky that we left early and returned to the hotel just 20 minutes before the pub shut!
I say lucky…because the key card didn’t have our room number, luckily with the pub still open the issue was sorted!
Had the pub been shut…I would have found myself starting at room number 1 and working my way until finding a door that would open…or sleep in the car!
We went for breakfast and I ordered the full English…good lord…it was close if not the worst breakfast I’ve had and I paid neigh on £10!!
When complaining about the key card issue with the member of staff who checked us in…she laughed!!
This…is disgraceful behaviour from someone representing Marstons pubs!!
Disgraceful from an English member of staff!!
We shall never use Marstons pubs again!

Our dining experience at Marston’s Knot & Plough was very disappointing. It seemed to be tied up in an IT nightmare. Upon arrival, we were seated at a table in the fireplace, which was fortunate as it was not lit. The pub’s table arrangements were very overcrowded.

Upon being shown to the table, I noticed a promotional code on the till for a 10% discount on drinks. I inquired with the bar staff about the code, which was a 11-digit number. They informed me that it must be entered on the website where orders are placed and that a screenshot of the screen was required. The pub’s system is designed for mobile ordering, a practice I frequently use with other establishments such as Wetherspoon’s and Sizzling Pubs. However, I encountered an issue at Marston’s, a pub chain without an app and a website that lacked a mobile version.

After gaining access to the guest Wi-Fi, I provided extensive personal information including my address, email, telephone number and consent to marketing communications from the pub chain. I then scanned the table QR code, which directed me to the Marston’s website. This website requested the same information I had provided for the Wi-Fi connection. The only issue was that the website, despite displaying the largest screen Apple currently supplies, treated it as a computer and was difficult to navigate.

I approached the bar manager, who confirmed that the system was experiencing constant issues and had been reported to a local manager. However, she failed to take the order and include the discount. This lack of customer care resulted in us leaving without being served food or drinks.

Marston’s needs to address this issue by developing an app. Additionally, customers should not attempt to contact the Head Office as there is no option for direct communication clients.

Food very slow waited 90 min. Food quality very poor do not use this pub

The Kings Corner in Oakwood, Derbyshire has just been refurbished and looks fabulous. There is a Woodies playarea for the kids inside, a treat topping station for kids puddings. The Landlord, Phil, is the nicest and understanding person i have known for a long while. He is doing a fantastic job, along with the staff. Any problems the staff are very keen to rectify. Love this pub.

We frequently have a meal at the Honeystone, in Hunstanton, we have never had any complaints, good value food at a reasonable standard. Unfortunately the meal I had today wasn’t very good as I had to fish a long hair out of my mouth as I ate my chicken burger - ehhhhhhh. Gross.

I mentioned the foreign object to a member of staff who said that she would fetch a manager. She returned, without a manager, to say that I could have a free dessert. I said I didn’t want a dessert. She then left. So we left.

I would have liked an apology and I would have thought they might have said that they would remind kitchen staff about food hygiene…… but I was left a little annoyed that they couldn’t even apologise, very poor customer service.

We visited The Chetwynd Arms near Brocton - Staffordshire. The food was awful we had a starter, mains and drinks. The starters we ok but clearly out the freezer. One main was Gammon, this was sent back as it was cremated, even the supervisor stated it should not have been sent out, we didn’t bother with a replacement so had a refund. The other main was Hunters Chicken, it was over cooked but edible, we will not be back and will avoid all Marston for the foreseeable future, there is no excuse….don’t blame Covid or the wars in Ukraine or Gaza. A good point was the supervisor/manager who was very personable and professional. I love my food so was disappointed to have made the car journey!!!

Room booked and paid for, but told booking would not be honored when we arrived. Landlord said he was new (unsure if this is true) so would not refund, and would not help in any way. Referred me to Marstons. I await a reply, but suspect my money has gone. Take care if you book and prepay as you may be waving your money, and your stay away, goodbye.

I visited a local Marston's pub in Lye, Stourbridge recently and although the pub is very nice, the Banks's Original beer was pretty horrible.
This is the second Marston's pub I have been in over the last few months, the other being Randlay Farmhouse and tried the Banks's Original and although this time was not as bad, the beer is just terrible.
It's such a shame that Marston's have nice pubs (Randlay Farmhouse is a very attractive pub), but they serve ghastley beer.
Back in the late 1970's and 80's Banks's beer was pretty good, although it's never been real ale quality, but judging by recent visits, I think Marston's is just wasting their time brewing this stuff.

There were no steaks on offer, we waited 40 minutes for soup which was a half bowl and cold. The burgers were over cooked and we left them uneaten. There were 3 staff to cover a busy restaurant. This was a very poor experience and we will avoid Marsdens establishments in the future. I would give them no stars if this was an option

At the Two Rivers the staff are super friendly and the environment is nice. But I'm sorry, the food just wasn't good enough. When there's more empty space on the plate than food, you know there's a problem. Fish, chips and peas - overcooked fish, small spoonful of peas. The lamb dinner at £20 odd consisted of three tiny pieces of lamb. The burgers the rest of the table ordered looked okay but I think the kitchen must have run out of enough chips to go round. Maybe our timing wasn't great at around 8.30 on a Sunday night but it would have to be so much better another time for us to be tempted back. Shame as the staff do it really proud.

Visited Marston’s pub and registered vehicle for parking Later got a parking charge through the post from Marston parking management company. Appealed explaining that we were legitimately parked but they ignored this. Sent them proof of payment for meal but they ignored that too. Contacted Marstons for assistance and they promised to look into but we never received response and they have ignored all subsequent emails, without th3 courtesy of even responding. Awful way to treat paying customers

We booked a birthday gathering for 25 family members for my mum's 90th birthday at the Fynnon Wen Thornhill, Cardiff. we handed in a pre booked menu for everyone's choice of meal so everyone knew what they wanted on the night, no problem at all.
Michelle and Mason looked after us all so very well, from the time we arrived until the time we left, they are so friendly and happy in their job and couldn't do enough for us, the food came out fast and hot, everyone enjoyed the food cooked by chefs Ieuan and Darent, cooked to perfection, there were no complaints at all. Thanks to all the wonderful staff , warm friendly and welcoming , we all enjoyed the evening and especially mum. We'll be back very soon xx

Took a genuinely good menu item, the chicken sandwich with the hot honey dressing, and replaced it with something only a drunk person would order from KFC after leaving the pub (chicken, bacon, cheese, a hash brown, bbq sauce AND chicken gravy? Seriously?). And the chicken breast wasn't 'Southern fried', it was breaded. The buttermilk chicken from the former sandwich is literally the definition of 'Southern fried'. Whoever decided to put that mess on the menu needs sacking. Definitely not the kind of food I go to a restaurant for,especially at their prices.

The staff at Flying Childers were, as always, amazing and did their best to recreate my favourite when I saw the menu had changed. This was a pub we went to regularly, but since the menu change there's nothing to look forward to anymore. I can get a cheeseburger or fish & chips anywhere.

My wife and I visited for the curry night special which includes a drink, but this pub doesn't sell Strongbow and refused to substitute another cider to be included in the deal, instead you can buy Inches but pay full price. Also, they don't understand what is a cask ale. I found the staff poorly trained and argumentative. The food was OK.

What an extremely poor experience at this Marstons restaurant
The wait for my order was excessive, I had to ask for my table to be cleaned from the previous customer and now to the food quality.
All items were cremated, the burger I ordered was a black wafer, and the portion of extra bacon (£1.50) was not even a complete rasher, the utter cheek to advertise this as a portion.
I thought that there appeared to be no leader in this establishment and everything lacked expertise.
This restaurant and bar needs a visit from head office to witness this for the company so that the failings can be corrected.
Richard Clarke

Mary Dillwyn Swansea. The female manager there had zero people skills, was rude and aggressive. We have been regulars there since it opened but will not be returning while she still works there. How someone gave that woman a job is unbelievable, but to make her manager is insanity, they’ll have no customers left if she stays there much longer. To be aggressive and rude to a pensioner is shocking!

Went to the watermill in ogmore by sea,Bridgend,had a great meal,the staff were very helpful and friendly,especially Will,will definitely be going back

Visited the Ty-Mawr today. Saturday 14th June. Bar maid little slip of a girl. Dark hair, think she said her name was Trudy. Not sure as they don't wear name badges. Very pleasant, chatty took my order. Said I'm in good hands as her Son is the Chef, Mark I'm sure she said his name was. I don't normally order a steak in places I haven't been to, but thought on her recommendation I did. Wow did they not Disappoint. Best I've had in a regular pub in I can't remember. Perfect medium Rare. Would highly recommend the Ty-Mawr.

We visited the Fisherman’s Cot at Bickleigh for an anniversary lunch today. We waited an hour for our starter which was a prawn cocktail. This looked like it had been thrown on the plate! Another 45 minutes later we received our main course which was bog standard…. my husband’s mixed grill was very poor. We paid our bill and went to Bickleigh Mill for our dessert as we’d had enough of staring at walls waiting!
We won’t be visiting again.

The venue (The Flying Shuttle in Haverhill Suffolk) was well presented, clean and tidy and I enjoyed the layout and decor. The food was nice we had the vegetarian Sunday roast, it was good portion sizes, good value for money in my opinion. The staff are friendly and made the experience pleasurable. We also enjoyed it was a quiet, and relaxed environment without loads of kids running about, and drunk adults shouting and screaming at the football etc. I much prefer these destination pubs to town pubs. Thank you Marstons.