Lamb & Flag Inn: UK's BEST Kept Secret? (Unbelievable!)
Lamb & Flag Inn: UK's BEST Kept Secret? (Unbelievable!) - My Honest-to-Goodness Rant & Rave
Alright, listen up. I just got back from the Lamb & Flag Inn. And honestly? I'm still processing it. The whole "Best Kept Secret" thing? Yeah… maybe it's true. But maybe, just maybe, the secret is they haven't quite polished off all the rough edges. Let's dive in, shall we? Strap yourselves in; it's gonna be a ride.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or the Lack Thereof, Mostly)
Right, so getting there. The website claims airport transfer. Okay, cool! But did I see an airport transfer? Nope. Had to wrangle a cab. That's a minor blip, I guess, but it sets a tone, doesn't it? For the record, I am not disabled but the website mention Facilities for disabled guests, however, I didn't notice any obvious ramps or anything super obvious from my brief meanderings. It could be more discreet. That's… something to keep in mind if you need a wheelchair accessible hotel.
The Room: Cozy, Quirky, and a Tiny Toilet… Seriously.
So, the room. Ahem. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank GOD, the heat was something else!), Alarm clock (who uses those anymore?!) Bathrobes (YES!), Bathroom phone (… seriously? Is this ‘90s?), Bathtub (yay!), Blackout curtains (essential!), Carpeting (a bit worn, tbh), Closet (decent), Coffee/tea maker (vital!), Complimentary tea (that's the least they could do!), Daily housekeeping (spot on!), Desk (usable), Extra long bed (bliss!), Free bottled water (a life saver!), Hair dryer (check!), High floor (Nope, ground floor), In-room safe box (appreciated!), Interconnecting room(s) available (not my thing), Internet access – LAN (I’m gonna be honest I didn’t even check for this but, there are internet services), Internet access – wireless (see below…), Ironing facilities (nice!), Laptop workspace (sort of, on the desk), Linens (clean!), Mini bar (stocked, but pricey!), Mirror (plenty!), Non-smoking (thank you!), On-demand movies (didn’t bother, too busy exploring!), Private bathroom (yup!), Reading light (again, essential!), Refrigerator (handy!), Safety/security feature (yup!), Satellite/cable channels (a million channels I'll probably never watch), Scale (…okay?), Seating area (kinda small), Separate shower/bathtub (yup!), Shower (good pressure!), Slippers (nope!), Smoke detector (HOPEFULLY!), Socket near the bed (YES!), Sofa (small but functional), Soundproofing (decent), Telephone (who uses these?!), Toiletries (basic but did the trick), Towels (clean and fluffy!), Umbrella (in the closet… probably unused!), Visual alarm (didn't see one, which is bad!), Wake-up service (nope!), Wi-Fi [free] (more on that later), Window that opens (thank goodness!).
Okay, but the toilet. I swear, it was the size of a… well, a very small closet. I'm not a particularly large person, but I felt like I was playing Tetris in there. Seriously though, it's the little things…
Internet: The Digital Dark Ages (Almost)
Ah, Wi-Fi. The bane of my existence, or at least during this stay. They advertise Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. And technically, it was free. But the signal? Let's just say it’s not the strongest thing in the world. I spent more time staring at the loading icon than actually browsing the internet. Wi-Fi in public areas? Yeah, it died the moment I stepped outside the room. I ended up using my own data most of the time. Sad face.
Food Glorious Food… and the Occasional Miss
Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant (Yup!), Alternative meal arrangement (I didn’t need it, but they offered!), Asian breakfast (didn’t see it), Asian cuisine in restaurant (nope), Bar (YES!), Bottle of water (yes!), Breakfast [buffet] (yes, a solid one!), Breakfast service (Yep!), Buffet in restaurant (see above), Coffee/tea in restaurant (yes!), Coffee shop (didn't notice one), Desserts in restaurant (yes, and dangerous!), Happy hour (yes!), International cuisine in restaurant (seems like it!), Poolside bar (nope!), Restaurants (yes!), Room service [24-hour] (didn’t use it), Salad in restaurant (yes!), Snack bar (nope!), Soup in restaurant (maybe?), Vegetarian restaurant (nope!), Western breakfast (yes!). Western cuisine in restaurant (yes!).
Okay, the food. Breakfast was actually pretty fantastic, shout out to the buffet! Good coffee, decent croissants, the works. The a la carte menu for dinner was… hit or miss. One night, I had a steak that was cooked to perfection. Divine. Seriously, melt-in-your-mouth good. Another night? Well, let’s just say it was tougher than a leather boot. The bar was great, though, a proper watering hole. The coffee shop was sadly lacking.
Things to Do & Relax (if You Can Find the Time)
Here's where things get interesting. Ways to relax: Body scrub (nope!), Body wrap (nope!), Fitness center (nope!), Foot bath (nope!), Gym/fitness (nope!), Massage (nope!), Pool with view (DOUBLE nope!), Sauna (maybe? I didn't see any!), Spa (nope!), Spa/sauna (nope!), Steamroom (nope!), Swimming pool (nope!), Swimming pool outdoor. Okay, there wasn’t a ton on offer here. This isn't some luxury resort. It's more of a… well, a cozy pub with rooms. Get that idea out of your head from the beginning and you won't be disappointed!
Cleanliness & Safety (In the Age of Covid)
Okay, here’s where I felt a smidge reassured: Anti-viral cleaning products (hopefully!), Breakfast in room (nope!), Breakfast takeaway service (nope!), Cashless payment service (Yes!), Daily disinfection in common areas (observed it), Doctor/nurse on call (I hope so!), First aid kit (probably!), Hand sanitizer (yup!), Hot water linen and laundry washing (I'd assume!), Hygiene certification (didn't see it!), Individually-wrapped food options (yes!), Physical distancing of at least 1 meter (mostly), Professional-grade sanitizing services (hopefully!), Room sanitization opt-out available (nope!), Rooms sanitized between stays (I'd assume they do!), Safe dining setup (more or less), Sanitized kitchen and tableware items (hopefully!), Shared stationery removed (yep!), Staff trained in safety protocol (seemed like it!), Sterilizing equipment (hopefully!),
They were definitely trying to be safe, and you could tell. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff seemed generally respectful of the new normal.
The Quirky Bits, & The Real Secret
The staff. They are… well, let’s say they have character! A bit of a mixed bag. Some were super friendly and helpful, others seemed a little… preoccupied. But that's part of the charm, right? It's not some sterile, corporate hotel. It's got a soul.
Services and Conveniences: Air conditioning in public area (yes!), Audio-visual equipment for special events (doubtful!), Business facilities (kinda, but don't expect a full-blown business center!), Cash withdrawal (nope!), Concierge (nope!), Contactless check-in/out (yup!), Convenience store (nope!), Currency exchange (nope!), Daily housekeeping (yup!), Doorman (nope!), Dry cleaning (maybe?), Elevator (nope!), Essential condiments (yup!), Facilities for disabled guests (more research needed!), Food delivery (nope!), Gift/souvenir shop (nope!), Indoor venue for special events (maybe, but again…), Invoice provided (yes!), Ironing service (yes!), Laundry service (maybe?), Luggage storage (yup!), Meeting/banquet facilities (not really, maybe a small room?), Meetings (unlikely!), Meeting stationery (nope!), On-site event hosting (nope!), Outdoor venue for special events (a terrace…), Projector/LED display (nope!), Safety deposit boxes (yup!), Seminars (nope!), Shrine (nope!), Smoking area (yes!), Terrace (lovely!), Wi-Fi for special events (ha!), Xerox/fax in business center (LOL!).
For the Kids: Babysitting service (nope!), Family/child friendly (yes – more on that later!), Kids facilities (nope!), Kids meal (nope!).
Look, the Lamb & Flag isn't perfect. But the real secret? It's the vibe. It's the feeling of being away from the chain hotels, and actually living somewhere for a bit, even if it’s imperfect. The locals were chatty, friendly, and even a little bit mad. They treated me like someone who has been there for years!
The bar felt friendly, the beer was cold, and the food, when it was good, was really good.
The Final Verdict: Go If…
This place isn’t for everyone. If you want luxury
San Diego's BEST Stadium View Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Mission Valley!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is the messy, glorious, slightly tipsy chronicle of my supposed "relaxing" trip to The Lamb & Flag Inn, United Kingdom. And trust me, it's already gone off the rails… in the best possible way.
Day 1: Arrival of an Idiot (and a Pub Named After Sheep)
Morning:
- 6:00 AM: Wake up. Why? Apparently, my internal clock runs on "annoyingly early" instead of sensible human hours. Groggily stumble to make coffee. Coffee spills everywhere. Sigh. This is a harbinger of things to come.
- 9:00 AM: Finally on the train. England! Land of charming accents and questionable weather! (It’s already drizzling.) Spent the entire journey battling a rogue pretzel that was determined to escape my snack bag. Lost.
- 12:00 PM: Arrive at The Lamb & Flag. Ah, the promised land. Or, at least, a very pretty pub with a thatched roof. Immediately charmed. My room? Cozy is an understatement. It's tiny. But, hey, I like a good hobbit hole. Especially if it's near a pub.
Afternoon:
- 1:00 PM: Check in. The woman at the desk is absolutely lovely. She's got that perfectly polite British charm, the kind that makes you feel immediately welcome and also slightly inadequate.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch at the pub, duh. Ordered the fish and chips, because when in Rome… or, you know, a pub in England. The batter was golden, the fish flaky, and the chips… well, the chips were life. I'm not even a huge chip person, but these? Divine. Seriously, writing this is making me hungry.
- 2:30 PM: Attempt to "explore" the village. Get hopelessly lost. Apparently, English villages are designed to confuse tourists. Wander around, eventually stumble upon a quaint little bookshop. Spend WAY too long browsing. Come out with a book about Cornish folklore and a vague sense of guilt about all the things I haven't done yet. And a sudden, overwhelming desire to know about Cornish folklore.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the pub. Obviously. More drinks. Start chatting with a local named Arthur. Arthur is a font of knowledge about the pub's history and seems to know everyone. He regales me with stories of past patrons, including one particularly boisterous Christmas Eve involving a runaway goose. I am, admittedly, already slightly tipsy. This could get messy.
- 5:00 PM: The Great Fire. My Kindle. The charging cable decided to take a permanent vacation. Panic. The pub staff (bless their hearts) try to help. Fail.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Steak and ale pie. Oh, God. Good. This has been an excellent day to be alive. The pie is the perfect mix of rustic and refined. And the ale… well, the ale contributes to an increasingly blurry, happy feeling.
- 7:00 PM - Late: Get very drunk in the pub. Play darts with Arthur. Get utterly destroyed. Laugh until my sides hurt. Sing karaoke. (Don't ask me what I sang; the details are a blur.) Stumble back to my tiny room around midnight, promising myself I'll be "sensible" tomorrow. Famous last words.
Day 2: The Quest for the Perfect Walk (and a Hangover from Hell)
Morning:
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. OH. MY. GOD. Head throbbing. Eyes glued shut. Dry mouth. This is the price of a good time, I guess. Vow never to drink again. (Spoiler alert: I'll probably break that vow before noon.) Crawl out of bed.
- 9:00 AM: Attempt to find some breakfast. Fail. Too hungover. Stumble back to room and take a nap, hoping the world (and my headache) will spontaneously vanish.
- 11:00 AM: Finally manage to eat something. Breakfast. Coffee. Pray to the porcelain gods that I'll make it through the day.
- 12:00 PM: Determined to be "healthy" and "active," even though I feel like I've been run over by a bus. Decide on a "walk." The plan: a scenic stroll through the countryside. The reality: a pathetic shuffle down a muddy lane, regretting all my life choices. And the aforementioned charging cable, still missing.
- 1:00 PM: Get thoroughly lost again. End up in a field of sheep. Sheep look at me. I look at sheep. Sheep win. They always do.
- 2:00 PM: Decide "walk" is officially over. Retreat to the pub.
Afternoon & Evening:
- 2:15 PM: More hair of the dog. The only cure, apparently.
- 3:00 PM: The pub is my safe harbor. Chat with the bartender. Learn about the pub cat, a majestic tabby named Winston, who apparently has more charm in his whiskers than I have in my entire being.
- 4:00 PM: Seriously consider moving in. The rhythm of this pub. The people. The beer. It's glorious, even if the headache is not.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner and then, a miracle! The charging cable is found… under a chair in the bar.
- 6:00 PM: I make my way, once again, to the pub. Tonight, I will not go to bed.
- 7:00 PM - Late: Same as last night, Karaoke night: Part Two. More darts. More laughter. Much more beer. I may, or may not, be responsible for the accidental purchase of a round for the entire pub. Details are… fuzzy.
Day 3: Departure (and a Lingering Pub-Shaped Hole in My Heart)
Morning:
- 7:00 AM: Repeat of Day 2's wake up. Slightly less terrible.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Hug the woman at the desk. Feel a pang of genuine sadness as I leave.
- 10:00 AM: Last breakfast at the pub. A proper full English. Tears. No, really! It's because I am leaving.
- 11:00 AM: Train station. Say goodbye to Arthur (who gives me a hug) and promises to come visit.
Afternoon:
- 12:00 PM: On the train. Look out the window as I leave. Wish I had stayed.
- 1:00 PM - onward: Reflect on what I've done. Regret nothing. The Lamb & Flag Inn has permanently imprinted itself on my memory. I have found myself and lost myself.
- 1:00 PM +: Plan to book a trip to go back to the Lamb & Flag Inn.
Observations & Reflections
- The Lamb & Flag Inn: Seriously, just go. It's more than a pub; it's an experience. The people, the atmosphere, the food… all perfect.
- The Locals: The heart and soul of this place. They welcomed me with open arms (and sometimes more beer than I could handle).
- Sheep: They are judging you. Accept it.
- Darts: I am terrible.
- British Weather: Embrace the drizzle. It adds to the charm.
- Me: I need to learn how to pack a proper charging cable.
This trip wasn't about seeing every historical site or ticking off all the tourist traps. It was about getting delightfully lost, finding unexpected connections, embracing the messy, and discovering the magic that happens when you allow yourself to be swept away by a place and its people. And, of course, drinking some really, really good beer.
Cheers to The Lamb & Flag Inn. I'll be back. Eventually. As soon as I've recovered from the hangover. (And can find that blasted charging cable.)
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Lamb & Flag Inn: UK's Best Kept Secret? (Unbelievable!) - Let's Get Messy!
Okay, so... what *is* this Lamb & Flag Inn everyone's raving about? And is it *really* a secret? Because the internet... well, the internet isn't exactly keeping much secret these days.
Alright, buckle up. This isn't going to be your standard, perfectly polished PR spiel. The Lamb & Flag Inn? Think: ancient pub, probably in the Cotswolds (though I'm terrible with locations, got completely lost *once* trying to find it – story for later). Stone walls, low ceilings, roaring fires (in season, obviously), and the kind of atmosphere that wraps around you like a warm, boozy hug. Secret? Well, not anymore, thanks to bloggers like myself! But it *felt* secret for a while. You know, that feeling of stumbling upon something special before the masses descend? Hard to come by now, isn't it?
The food. Give it to me straight. Is it actually good? Because "pub grub" can be a minefield.
Okay. FOOD. Here's the deal. YES. It's bloody GOOD. Not fancy-pants Michelin star good. Real, honest, comforting, "I'm going to lick the plate" good. Think proper pies, juicy roasts (the gravy... oh GOD, the gravy!), and maybe a particularly excellent sticky toffee pudding if you're lucky. I swear, I had a sausage roll there once that I still dream about. I *might* have even gone back just for the sausage roll the next day. Don't judge me! Look, even on a hungover Sunday, it hits the spot. BUT. (and there's always a but, isn't there?) Sometimes, and I'm being brutally honest here, the service can be a little... *leisurely*. Expect to wait. Embrace the wait. It's part of the charm, in a slightly maddening way.
I'm easily bored. What's actually *to do* there, besides eat and drink? (boring!)
Bored? At the Lamb & Flag? Look, if you need constant stimulation, this is not the place for you. This is about *being*. You can read a book (bring your own, obvs), chat with your companions (or, if you’re like me, strike up a conversation with the bartender – who, by the way, is usually a character in their own right), and stare into the fire. Walks are an option, depending on the location. I *think* there are… well, I remember vaguely seeing a sign pointing to a footpath *one* time. Honestly? I was probably too busy eyeing the ale selection. Honestly, the best thing *to do* is to *do nothing*. Breathe. Relax. Listen to the clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversations. You'll probably have to find something else to do somewhere else, if that's what you desire.
Tell me about the *ambiance*. Is it all chintz and hushed whispers? Or is it… actual human beings?
Human beings! Definitely human beings. Not a lot of chintz, thankfully. Think more… cozy and a bit worn around the edges. In a good way. It's got that genuine, lived-in feel, you know? The kind of place where dogs sprawl out by the fire, and kids are allowed (usually, but definitely check ahead – family dynamics in pubs can be a wild ride), and nobody's judging your slightly rumpled clothes or your rapidly disappearing pint. It's the sort of place where you can laugh loudly, spill a bit of your beer, and nobody will bat an eyelid. It's *real*. It's comforting. It feels like home… if your home happened to have a fantastic beer selection and excellent sausage rolls. It's NOT picture-perfect Instagram bait, and thank *god* for that. However... sometimes, it's PACKED. So calling ahead is essential - even if you just have a small friend group or even are coming alone - it's better to be on the safe side.
Okay, you mentioned getting lost. Spill the tea. Where *is* this blasted place? And why didn't the internet help you?
Ugh, don't even get me started. Getting lost trying to find the Lamb & Flag Inn... it's a rite of passage. I had been to see it before and was trying to get there again from a different route - a *terrible* idea. It was a foggy autumn day, and the sat nav was more of a suggestion than a reliable guide. Wound up on single-track roads, probably backwards, for what felt like an eternity. No signal, of course. Kept seeing signs for villages with names I couldn't begin to pronounce. Eventually, *hours* later (seriously, I think my blood sugar had started to plummet), I stumbled upon it. It was glorious. But I was also RAVENOUS and cranky. The internet helped, of course, eventually, but for a while there, I felt like I was wandering in the wilderness. Moral of the story? Plan your route *carefully*. And maybe pack some emergency biscuits. Or sausage rolls.
Is it expensive? 'Cause I'm on a budget. Or, y'know... not a billionaire.
Okay, let's be real. It's not "cheap" cheap. It's a proper pub, not a greasy spoon. Expect to pay a bit more than you would at a chain pub in a city center. BUT. It's not obscenely expensive. I mean, for the quality of the food, the atmosphere, the whole experience… it's worth it. The drinks are reasonably priced. The food is generous. Think of it as an investment in your happiness. A very, very tasty investment. Prioritize the food and drink, skip the fancy starter? I have lived off a starter and had no regrets!
Any horror stories? Bad experiences? Don't just gush, tell me the *truth*!
Alright. Honesty time. One time... the service was *glacial*. Like, I-think-the-waitress-might-have-forgotten-us-existed glacial. We were waiting ages. And I was STARVING, and grumpy, and probably the worst version of myself. The food eventually arrived, and it was delicious, but the memory of that wait is still seared into my brain. Lesson learned? Go at an off-peak time. Or bring a pack of cards. Or just be prepared to chill and enjoy the ambiance - after all, it's supposed to be a relaxing place. Another time, I had to wait a really long time for a table, but, again, it was worth it. I didn't particularly care for the woman who was sitting directly in front of me, but I was so glad I was there to get a little piece of this. I love The Lamb & Flag, it is such a gem.
