Waterend Barn

Had a meal with friends here last week and have to say it is now a great place to visit. The food came out in 10 minutes and was great. Their hand battered fish is fab. Good selection of ales and lagers too. Only downside was it was a little dark (only half the lightbulbs seemed to be working) but the building itself is glorious so forgiven. Going to go again soon! [Apr 11]

Visited the Waterend Barn last weekend for the second time this month (the first visit was aborted) and was once again told that it would be a 40+ minute wait for food. There were only two bar staff on who couldn't cope with the rush of people and service was very slow to even get a drink. Most tables were dirty and we had to clear the sticky mess on ours ourselves which is pretty tricky with no accessible paper napkins or antibacterial spray!

Around 20mins later, we noticed a member of staff finally coming round to clear other glasses and dirty plates. It's nice that the Barn is a family-friendly pub but such a shame that a few errant parents have to spoil it by letting their little darlings run riot. Having toddler tearaways shouting, screaming and jumping off the furniture at 7.30pm on a Sunday evening isn't my idea of a relaxing wind-down to the weekend. Food was passable though and prices are very reasonable. A pleasant, accomodating male member of floor staff was on hand to swap my niece's dessert and made a point of saying goodbye as we left. If you are thinking of eating in there before taking in a show at the Alban Arena, it would be wise to leave plenty of time as the people next to us had to rush their food to make it in time. All in all, we certainly wouldn't rush back. [Nov 10]