The Carpenters Arms

I chose this hotel because it was a good overnight stay to break the journey down to the West Country. I had a very friendly welcome from a lovely young member of staff, and directed to my room. I had mixed feelings on this as it was the attic room, very low sloping ceilings - so low they were padded with foam for when you bang your head, which if you are 5 foot 10 like me and don't keep your wits about you, you will do - a lot. The sink was in the room rather than the bathroom and underneath the slopey bit which meant I had to hold my head at a 45 degree angle when washing my face etc. The bed was also right under a slopey bit so you had to remember not to sit up quickly, and to get in and out of the bed at an angle. Same with the sofa in the little sitting area, you were fine as long as you kept your head down. I think If I had been staying for more than one night I would have asked to be moved. However it was nice and clean, and the bar area downstairs was lovely with a good choice of meals on offer. My stay wasn't cheap and because of the room I wasn't convinced I got good value, but the place is certainly well worth considering.

Had booked online which was a very easy process. Table for 5 ready on arrival, staff very friendly and helpful. Food was very good, everyone enjoyed the meal and deserts. The place was very busy yet the staff were very attentive and served tables without any problems. Good parking great atmosphere, well worth a visit.

Sadly the Sunday lunch did not meet expectations. We expected a better experience based on reviews. We had anticipated that a 13:30 booking would mean that the food would be fresh and recently cooked. Given the almost empty pub & the quality of the food I guess that they eat earlier. The pork was dry, the roast potatoes & parsnips were not crisp or tasty and the Yorkshire puds (which you pay extra for) were soft & tasteless. Two of us had nut roast which I suspect was not prepared on site but commercially produced, sadly this also disappointed. The waiting staff were lovely but the ‘manageress’ who came to talk about our ‘disappointment’ was a little defensive & did not really deal with things in a mutually satisfactory way. We travelled quite a distance due to positive reviews but we will not return.