My family and I have been visitng Woolacombe for the past 27+ years. The Red Barn used to be one of our favourite establishments, frequenting it on a near daily basis during our trips. Unfortunately, since changing hands from the former owner our experience has not been the same. I recall the days where the bar was bustling, the tables were packed, food was flying out the kitchen and the servers made you feel warm, welcomed and at home. I regret to say that on each visit we have made since, there is little to no atmosphere, the servers are indifferent and at times blatantly rude, and there appears to be no consistency in terms of the service, never quite sure whether the kitchen is open or the bar is about to close, with opening hours all over the place. In addition the cost for a drink rivals the prices of inner London, and with the abensece of good service or atmosphere it is not worth it. The impression I have is that the focus is placed on acquiring the most revenue during the peak holiday periods and letting standards slip the remainder of the time. Certainly can tell it is now run by a chain/company as it has lost its personable appeal. Such a disappointment.
Andrew Reep
Absolutely tragic to sit waiting over an hour for a sandwich. As the que of people complaining and demanding refunds grew to embarrassing length, the poor staff finally pulled the plug and stopped taking orders to unravel the dire chaos. I doubt the staff or day manager have much say in letting the ownership and leadership know how appalling the service and experience was. If this is pre tourist time, don’t go ever.
Helen Milne
Awesome pub perfectly situated in Woolacombe to enjoy the views of the beach and sea whilst taking in some delicious food and lovely variety of drinks.
Julie Stubbs
In the Red Barn now waited 10 minutes in a queue due to only being 1 member of staff serving. Problem with gas so beer trickling through. Was 18.36 when I finally got served and they charged me full price for the offer of the day although I was ready to order before the offer went off. Long blonde hair girl serving was rude when I asked about the offer. Also no hand pulls on due to there not being any gas. When did hand pulls need gas!!!!!!
Panda
Kid-friendliness: There's a pool table
Andrew Neil
Sorry Hall and Woodhouse but you've definitely employed the wrong General Manager and ruined and I mean completely ruined an iconic venue. FROZEN FISH FINGERS! on a sandwich in 2024 and right next to the sea is completely wrong on all levels and then had to wait 1 hour for our order of 2 sandwiches and a further 20 mins for a coffee!! It's laughable as it's March the place was empty and yet the wait, the food, the service were all poor. God knows what you'll do in the summer! Like I said definitely the wrong Manager here she/he needs to hang there heads in shame as like I said it's ruined the whole place is dirty, dreary and drab ! Hall and Woodhouse you should be ashamed of what you've done to our lovely red barn ! We will never return and after hearing the general consensus of others it's highly unlikely anyone else will. Frozen fish!! Disgusting
Rob Cope
Not very impressed with this place. Had to wait over an hour after ordering a sandwich. Other people who ordered after me got served before me. On speaking with manager about the delay they were very rude and snappy. No apology at all for delay. She really needs to learn some manners and work on her people skills. Do not recommend and will not be going back. Food very average when it eventually arrived.
Megan Pearce
Went for a roast, I had beef, my friend had chicken and I have never seen such a poor looking roast in my life- the beef was way over cooked, the veg looked so tired, the chicken looked under cooked, my Yorkshire pudding was missing too. We both left feeling very poorly, the staff seemed lovely and to be working hard. The other meals from the normal menu looked fab it felt like the roast was from a different kitchen. We did get a pudding as we only ate half our dinner and the pudding was great. Very mixed feelings.
A. Dunshee
It's OK. It was as expensive as everywhere else. But that's rip off Britain for you! We were only there in the daytime. The staff were friendly. The food wasn't great. Fish and chips out of the freezer. But you get what you pay for, and that was the cheaper option.
David Tempest
Had the fish offer 2 for £20 nice large pieces of fish cooked well.
One thing you discover about surfboards, they can't when nailed to a ceiling in large numbers make up for a zero atmosphere and poor beer choices.Lovely staff though
Andy Higgins
Was an excellent family pub with a surf atmosphere, sadly it has now been sold to Hall and Woodhouse meaning all the independent brews have gone.On the upside, the staff are still there and just as good, dogs are allowed back in and the food choice (while different), is still good.
Lesley Roberts
Lovely position to enjoy the views of Woolacombe Beach and dog friendly. Very friendly staff and a good menu - we enjoyed a meal and a drink and will return when we next visit Woolacombe. Can’t comment on the atmosphere as we got there just before the food ended but can imagine it has a great atmosphere in the peak of the season (we visited early March).
Olly Stump
Even after it has been taken under new ownership, it is better than ever. The new menu is smaller. however, the food is much better quality. You can really taste the difference. Staff is always there to make the dining experience come with ease.Prices are very good still and many tables have great see views.Vegetarian options: Not many, but labelled if there is.
Geoff Ansell
Unbelievable.I queued at the bar to order some beers and waited about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, only 1 staff member was taking food orders, which I then noticed was also getting the drinks orders. What other pub would do this? Why no bar staff?I then waited in the food queue and eventually ordered food and drinks. This took over 23 minutes.We then waited about 30 minutes for our food.Might not go there again.
My family and I have been visitng Woolacombe for the past 27+ years. The Red Barn used to be one of our favourite establishments, frequenting it on a near daily basis during our trips. Unfortunately, since changing hands from the former owner our experience has not been the same. I recall the days where the bar was bustling, the tables were packed, food was flying out the kitchen and the servers made you feel warm, welcomed and at home. I regret to say that on each visit we have made since, there is little to no atmosphere, the servers are indifferent and at times blatantly rude, and there appears to be no consistency in terms of the service, never quite sure whether the kitchen is open or the bar is about to close, with opening hours all over the place. In addition the cost for a drink rivals the prices of inner London, and with the abensece of good service or atmosphere it is not worth it. The impression I have is that the focus is placed on acquiring the most revenue during the peak holiday periods and letting standards slip the remainder of the time. Certainly can tell it is now run by a chain/company as it has lost its personable appeal. Such a disappointment.
Absolutely tragic to sit waiting over an hour for a sandwich. As the que of people complaining and demanding refunds grew to embarrassing length, the poor staff finally pulled the plug and stopped taking orders to unravel the dire chaos. I doubt the staff or day manager have much say in letting the ownership and leadership know how appalling the service and experience was. If this is pre tourist time, don’t go ever.
Awesome pub perfectly situated in Woolacombe to enjoy the views of the beach and sea whilst taking in some delicious food and lovely variety of drinks.
In the Red Barn now waited 10 minutes in a queue due to only being 1 member of staff serving. Problem with gas so beer trickling through. Was 18.36 when I finally got served and they charged me full price for the offer of the day although I was ready to order before the offer went off. Long blonde hair girl serving was rude when I asked about the offer. Also no hand pulls on due to there not being any gas. When did hand pulls need gas!!!!!!
Kid-friendliness: There's a pool table
Sorry Hall and Woodhouse but you've definitely employed the wrong General Manager and ruined and I mean completely ruined an iconic venue. FROZEN FISH FINGERS! on a sandwich in 2024 and right next to the sea is completely wrong on all levels and then had to wait 1 hour for our order of 2 sandwiches and a further 20 mins for a coffee!! It's laughable as it's March the place was empty and yet the wait, the food, the service were all poor. God knows what you'll do in the summer! Like I said definitely the wrong Manager here she/he needs to hang there heads in shame as like I said it's ruined the whole place is dirty, dreary and drab ! Hall and Woodhouse you should be ashamed of what you've done to our lovely red barn ! We will never return and after hearing the general consensus of others it's highly unlikely anyone else will. Frozen fish!! Disgusting
Not very impressed with this place. Had to wait over an hour after ordering a sandwich. Other people who ordered after me got served before me. On speaking with manager about the delay they were very rude and snappy. No apology at all for delay. She really needs to learn some manners and work on her people skills. Do not recommend and will not be going back. Food very average when it eventually arrived.
Went for a roast, I had beef, my friend had chicken and I have never seen such a poor looking roast in my life- the beef was way over cooked, the veg looked so tired, the chicken looked under cooked, my Yorkshire pudding was missing too. We both left feeling very poorly, the staff seemed lovely and to be working hard. The other meals from the normal menu looked fab it felt like the roast was from a different kitchen. We did get a pudding as we only ate half our dinner and the pudding was great. Very mixed feelings.
It's OK. It was as expensive as everywhere else. But that's rip off Britain for you! We were only there in the daytime. The staff were friendly. The food wasn't great. Fish and chips out of the freezer. But you get what you pay for, and that was the cheaper option.
Had the fish offer 2 for £20 nice large pieces of fish cooked well.
Restaurantji Recommends
One thing you discover about surfboards, they can't when nailed to a ceiling in large numbers make up for a zero atmosphere and poor beer choices.Lovely staff though
Was an excellent family pub with a surf atmosphere, sadly it has now been sold to Hall and Woodhouse meaning all the independent brews have gone.On the upside, the staff are still there and just as good, dogs are allowed back in and the food choice (while different), is still good.
Lovely position to enjoy the views of Woolacombe Beach and dog friendly. Very friendly staff and a good menu - we enjoyed a meal and a drink and will return when we next visit Woolacombe. Can’t comment on the atmosphere as we got there just before the food ended but can imagine it has a great atmosphere in the peak of the season (we visited early March).
Even after it has been taken under new ownership, it is better than ever. The new menu is smaller. however, the food is much better quality. You can really taste the difference. Staff is always there to make the dining experience come with ease.Prices are very good still and many tables have great see views.Vegetarian options: Not many, but labelled if there is.
Unbelievable.I queued at the bar to order some beers and waited about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, only 1 staff member was taking food orders, which I then noticed was also getting the drinks orders. What other pub would do this? Why no bar staff?I then waited in the food queue and eventually ordered food and drinks. This took over 23 minutes.We then waited about 30 minutes for our food.Might not go there again.