Toby Carvery

Friendly bar staff, not so much with the kitchen though (I think they’ve forgotten how to Smile). Its popular with young families, so avoid if you want somewhere quite! Food is average but a good price, perfect for a lazy Sunday roast.

We came here with friends who live in the area. It’s part of a large chain that specializes in basic British comfort food — roast meat, vegetables, and Yorkshire pudding — although they also offer an international option such as Caribbean beef curry or Moroccan lamb after 7.00pm Monday through Saturday for only £7.50. They do a good job of accomplishing their goal of serving decent food at reasonable prices.

The Toby Carvery, or The Windsor Castle, as it used to be known, is a bit devoid of soul, as far as I am concerned.
I’ve never stayed in the hotel there, but have been in the pub a couple of times, and it’s completely without character — a bit like drinking in a Travelodge. However, it remains popular with a wide range of age groups in the area, and is always popular for the carvery, which is laid on every day of the week. Maybe it’s this that I don’t like: I’m not a fan of the carvery, but evidently lots of people are.
On the few occasions on which I’ve been in, there always seem to be an awful lot of old people about. I’ve nothing against old people, per se, and some of my favourite regulars in my local are of pensionable age, but too many of them sitting around eating matching roasts makes you feel a bit like you’ve made an early entry into a retirement home.