Great village pub that we have meant to visit for many years ....friendly welcome, lovely beer garden and great food....will definately return....
SHIRLEY C
My family surprised me for my birthday, an booked a table for Friday evening meal - very good choice on the menu, the food was excellent. Great service, cheerful staff. The pub is very friendly & welcoming, and we all enjoyed our meal, as the pub has a great atmosphere. Will be making another booking soon for Sunday Lunch.
N5143DElaurag
Walked in on a Sunday lunch time for a couple of drinks whilst walking the dogs. Never been here before. We walked in and ordered our drinks and were greeted by a very rude / abrupt lady who appeared to be the owner / manager. The young girl, who was clearly new to the pub was so lovely; smiley, polite and looked as though she was really enjoying her job which is usually quite rare for waitresses/bar staff. We asked the manager / owner if she had a menu for the rest of the week and she passed us a leaflet with opening times on. We asked if she had a menu and she said it’s on there - it wasn’t it was just the opening times. Again, very abrupt and short. We took our drinks and went outside and it started raining so shortly afterwards returned inside. We ordered another drink and I was observing the manager / owner with the new girl and her attitude towards her was appalling - I wouldn’t speak to my dogs the way she spoke to the waitress. The young girl put some ice in a glass and the manager / owner snatched it out of her hand and said ‘he didn’t ask for ice did he, start listening’. I shouted so loudly I think the whole pub heard me, I said ‘oi don’t speak to her like that you’re bang out of order. I said leave the drinks we’re not staying’. There were no pleases no thank you’s, snatching from the young girl. She was treating her like a child. I was not going to sit there and watch her and listen to her speak to a member of staff like dirt and pay for the privilege. If she can not cope with less than 20 covers on a Sunday afternoon and 2 staff total on the floor then she’s not fit to be a manager. I managed a pub not so long ago after leaving the RAF, being on minimum wage and then within 6 months worked my way up to assistant manager and was running the bar and floor at the same time on my own with over 40 covers at a time. I am not only the person to have come across her appalling attitude as many individuals in other local pubs we visited later that afternoon also said she’s very abrupt and gets stressed easily. There’s being stressed and then there’s being a total cow. You don’t speak to anyone like that, especially not in front of customers. I will NEVER set foot back in this place. I pray that the young girl finds her feet and either stands up to the manager one day or leaves to find something better. She’s 100% wasted in a place that she clearly isn’t appreciated and if that was my daughter/sister I’d tell her she’s worth more. Working with a manager like that will wear her down. I’ve been there and done it so I know how it feels - hence me being so emotional after the visit. If she carries on the way she acted today being so polite and smiley with such a positive wanting to learn attitude, she’ll be running the place and a hell of a lot better than the current manager. I’m from Leeds and say it how it is - I hope the manager / owner reads this and it gives her a kick up the backside to think about how she speaks and acts, especially around new customers. The locals might be ‘used to her’ but in my eyes first impressions count and she’s made a bad one, a very bad one. If she carries on the gorgeous pub won’t survive, surprised it has for so long to be honest.
Lee M
Absolutely amazing place.
Amy van Maris
Amazing food really friendly and beautiful pub. Great atmosphere and lovely garden area.Kid-friendliness: It’s my boys favourite restaurantDietary restrictions: My sons allergic to dairy and they always have lots of options for him
kevin S
Just shared a Cote De Boeuf with my wife at the X Keys. I have always thought Fillet steak was the best. Wrong. This was l one of the best meals we have had anywhere. Simon the Chef is in a different league to the normal pub Chef, with a wonderful friendly welcome and service from Mandy and her staff. This off the beaten track pub is a “Must” to visit. As one of their signs says. Enter as customers, leave as friends. A1+++++++
stuart bernard
A gem of a country pub, a typical ‘center of the community’ village pub where everyone is welcomed. The food is excellent, outstanding in fact and, the service is second to none. With a great range of beers, ciders and spirits this is a great pub to make an effort to get to if you are not in the village. The last Saturday of the month is Brunch time with a lovely range of options, the quality, presentation and flavor is outstanding. Tuesday : Fish and Chips, they are closed Wednesday and Thursday at the moment. Friday tends to be the grill menu and Saturday is a la cart. Sunday is the Sunday Lunch. Booking for every day is strongly advised.Vegetarian options: Always vegetarian options available for starters and mainsKid-friendliness: Made very welcome with a secure garden to the rearParking: Free off street parking with around 10 spaces including disabledDietary restrictions: Simon, owner, landlord and chef will prepare special dishes adapted from the menus to meet your needs with 48 hour notice
Lex Luthier
Lovely friendly pub, good service, excellent food, not overpriced or up itself. Good sized dishes. Highly recommended.
The fish and chips here are amazing! Great atmosphere with lots of really friendly locals there! Staff are super helpful and welcoming!
Julie Brand
Stopped for half hour to see my brother, smudge... lovely atmosphere, had food here before, very nice thank you ...
Linda Frost
Our first visit to this lovely country pub. A very warm welcome and lovely food. Will certainly be going again.
Jane G
Recently moved to village and decided with friends coming to see us to try the crosskeys for Sunday lunch. I am so glad we did. Everything was great I must say one of the best Sunday lunches I have had in a pub. Roast potatoes fresh vegetables Yorkshire pudding and loads of meat. I had pork with crackling, my husband and friend beef and her husband chicken. To top all this we had puddings yum yum yum. Definitely be back. Thank you to the owners and staff you are fantastic. We were made to feel very welcome.
J1034QOstevew
Myself, my wife, in-laws and parents went for a Sunday lunch as part of an extended Christmas gift. What a splendidly good restaurant. Between us we had all of the roasted meats available Topside beef, chicken breast, pork or if you are big meat eater a bit of each. Everything was cooked to perfection. The roast potatoes are to die for. We each had a dessert all marvellous. The Sunday lunch menu changes regarding meats and dessert choices. The location itself is well placed in the Bradenstoke village and has the charm becoming of a super location. Good parking and spotlessly clean and well maintained facilities with a great atmosphere. The owners and staff are lovely. A great welcome with happy smiling faces. To top it all its dog friendly. Thank you for a memorable Sunday lunch. You really have to eat here. Steve and Alison Wills
Really nice and friendly place. Nice beer
Absolutely brilliant village pub Always 100%
Great village pub that we have meant to visit for many years ....friendly welcome, lovely beer garden and great food....will definately return....
My family surprised me for my birthday, an booked a table for Friday evening meal - very good choice on the menu, the food was excellent. Great service, cheerful staff. The pub is very friendly & welcoming, and we all enjoyed our meal, as the pub has a great atmosphere. Will be making another booking soon for Sunday Lunch.
Walked in on a Sunday lunch time for a couple of drinks whilst walking the dogs. Never been here before. We walked in and ordered our drinks and were greeted by a very rude / abrupt lady who appeared to be the owner / manager. The young girl, who was clearly new to the pub was so lovely; smiley, polite and looked as though she was really enjoying her job which is usually quite rare for waitresses/bar staff. We asked the manager / owner if she had a menu for the rest of the week and she passed us a leaflet with opening times on. We asked if she had a menu and she said it’s on there - it wasn’t it was just the opening times. Again, very abrupt and short. We took our drinks and went outside and it started raining so shortly afterwards returned inside. We ordered another drink and I was observing the manager / owner with the new girl and her attitude towards her was appalling - I wouldn’t speak to my dogs the way she spoke to the waitress. The young girl put some ice in a glass and the manager / owner snatched it out of her hand and said ‘he didn’t ask for ice did he, start listening’. I shouted so loudly I think the whole pub heard me, I said ‘oi don’t speak to her like that you’re bang out of order. I said leave the drinks we’re not staying’. There were no pleases no thank you’s, snatching from the young girl. She was treating her like a child. I was not going to sit there and watch her and listen to her speak to a member of staff like dirt and pay for the privilege. If she can not cope with less than 20 covers on a Sunday afternoon and 2 staff total on the floor then she’s not fit to be a manager. I managed a pub not so long ago after leaving the RAF, being on minimum wage and then within 6 months worked my way up to assistant manager and was running the bar and floor at the same time on my own with over 40 covers at a time. I am not only the person to have come across her appalling attitude as many individuals in other local pubs we visited later that afternoon also said she’s very abrupt and gets stressed easily. There’s being stressed and then there’s being a total cow. You don’t speak to anyone like that, especially not in front of customers. I will NEVER set foot back in this place. I pray that the young girl finds her feet and either stands up to the manager one day or leaves to find something better. She’s 100% wasted in a place that she clearly isn’t appreciated and if that was my daughter/sister I’d tell her she’s worth more. Working with a manager like that will wear her down. I’ve been there and done it so I know how it feels - hence me being so emotional after the visit. If she carries on the way she acted today being so polite and smiley with such a positive wanting to learn attitude, she’ll be running the place and a hell of a lot better than the current manager. I’m from Leeds and say it how it is - I hope the manager / owner reads this and it gives her a kick up the backside to think about how she speaks and acts, especially around new customers. The locals might be ‘used to her’ but in my eyes first impressions count and she’s made a bad one, a very bad one. If she carries on the gorgeous pub won’t survive, surprised it has for so long to be honest.
Absolutely amazing place.
Amazing food really friendly and beautiful pub. Great atmosphere and lovely garden area.Kid-friendliness: It’s my boys favourite restaurantDietary restrictions: My sons allergic to dairy and they always have lots of options for him
Just shared a Cote De Boeuf with my wife at the X Keys. I have always thought Fillet steak was the best. Wrong. This was l one of the best meals we have had anywhere. Simon the Chef is in a different league to the normal pub Chef, with a wonderful friendly welcome and service from Mandy and her staff. This off the beaten track pub is a “Must” to visit. As one of their signs says. Enter as customers, leave as friends. A1+++++++
A gem of a country pub, a typical ‘center of the community’ village pub where everyone is welcomed. The food is excellent, outstanding in fact and, the service is second to none. With a great range of beers, ciders and spirits this is a great pub to make an effort to get to if you are not in the village. The last Saturday of the month is Brunch time with a lovely range of options, the quality, presentation and flavor is outstanding. Tuesday : Fish and Chips, they are closed Wednesday and Thursday at the moment. Friday tends to be the grill menu and Saturday is a la cart. Sunday is the Sunday Lunch. Booking for every day is strongly advised.Vegetarian options: Always vegetarian options available for starters and mainsKid-friendliness: Made very welcome with a secure garden to the rearParking: Free off street parking with around 10 spaces including disabledDietary restrictions: Simon, owner, landlord and chef will prepare special dishes adapted from the menus to meet your needs with 48 hour notice
Lovely friendly pub, good service, excellent food, not overpriced or up itself. Good sized dishes. Highly recommended.
Restaurantji Recommends
The fish and chips here are amazing! Great atmosphere with lots of really friendly locals there! Staff are super helpful and welcoming!
Stopped for half hour to see my brother, smudge... lovely atmosphere, had food here before, very nice thank you ...
Our first visit to this lovely country pub. A very warm welcome and lovely food. Will certainly be going again.
Recently moved to village and decided with friends coming to see us to try the crosskeys for Sunday lunch. I am so glad we did. Everything was great I must say one of the best Sunday lunches I have had in a pub. Roast potatoes fresh vegetables Yorkshire pudding and loads of meat. I had pork with crackling, my husband and friend beef and her husband chicken. To top all this we had puddings yum yum yum. Definitely be back. Thank you to the owners and staff you are fantastic. We were made to feel very welcome.
Myself, my wife, in-laws and parents went for a Sunday lunch as part of an extended Christmas gift. What a splendidly good restaurant. Between us we had all of the roasted meats available Topside beef, chicken breast, pork or if you are big meat eater a bit of each. Everything was cooked to perfection. The roast potatoes are to die for. We each had a dessert all marvellous. The Sunday lunch menu changes regarding meats and dessert choices. The location itself is well placed in the Bradenstoke village and has the charm becoming of a super location. Good parking and spotlessly clean and well maintained facilities with a great atmosphere. The owners and staff are lovely. A great welcome with happy smiling faces. To top it all its dog friendly. Thank you for a memorable Sunday lunch. You really have to eat here. Steve and Alison Wills