“Very nice”

I visited with my friend, but she'd been here before & I hadn't. It's a nice pub with character in South Marston, a lovely village & just off the A420 Oxford Rd, and had good parking. Nice inside, but maybe could do with a bit of a refurb - the carpet looked a bit old & tired, but of course, that'… more

I visited with my friend, but she'd been here before & I hadn't. It's a nice pub with character in South Marston, a lovely village & just off the A420 Oxford Rd, and had good parking. Nice inside, but maybe could do with a bit of a refurb - the carpet looked a bit old & tired, but of course, that's up to the owners. We both had steak & ale pie, very nice! Then both had a sponge pudding - also very nice, very hot & fresh. Would definitely recommend a visit.

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“Room for Improvement.”

On arrival, first impressions are very favourable. This is a nice-looking inn with loads of character. We arrived out of hours and had to call the number for check-in advice. No problem, this was fairly smooth. Unfortunately, our room, which was otherwise OK, had no aerial cable to reach the televi… more

On arrival, first impressions are very favourable. This is a nice-looking inn with loads of character. We arrived out of hours and had to call the number for check-in advice. No problem, this was fairly smooth. Unfortunately, our room, which was otherwise OK, had no aerial cable to reach the television. After 5.30, when the bar opened, I popped in and asked about this. We were promptly swapped to another room, room 3. Room 3 needs to have the toilet properly plumbed in. At the back of the lavatory, there is no drop. In fact, the waist is actually having to work against a very slight upward gradient. This meant that every time I flushed, I had to help the flush with a bucket of water. Sometimes, even then, taking several attempts. Otherwise, the room was clean if not a little tired. There was no housekeeping on our second day, so I had to ask for tea and milk top ups. Apart from that, it would have been fine as we only had 2 nights. On the second night we ate in the restaurant. The food, though it took a while to arrive, was very nice. Although when we were asked if we wanted gravy, which wasn't on the menu, we were charged £1.95 each. While one of our group couldn't have a banana split, we were still charged for it. In spite of her alternative being cheaper. So a nice It was our first time at the Carpenters Arms and a few nigles that could be ironed out fairly easily for a more memorable stay. Would I return, perhaps, I wouldn't rule it out.

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