Craig's reviews
Review of Clegg Chemist
04 May 08, 11:54
Great Service 
One of those old school quirky chemists that sells medicines, combs and pens (I don't know why, they always had, ever since I was a kid)
They're very handy and I like the old school way they work. i had a list of things I needed and as it was quiet, the lady took the list off me and whipped around the shop taking all the items off the shelves, rung them up and I was pleasantly surprised that they don't stock the named brands, there were the same products but just basic no frills versions that were really cheap. Excellent
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Review of Boots The Chemists
04 May 08, 11:51
Small but helpful 
Quite a small branch of boots. You certainly wont' find the gifts that you may be used to at the bigger stores.
This place mostly concentrates of on cosmetics and medicine. the Pharmacist here is very helpful and can advise you on what you might need so you don't have to bother your doctor
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Review of Jade Palace
03 May 08, 22:22
Rice and Chicken
I used to stumble into here after a night boozing whilst in sixth form. It was then followed by a mazey walk home to Grove clutching a one pot combo of rice and sweet and sour chicken
I'm glad to say that they still do this and it brought back many school memories, although I felt a bit guilty doing it in the middle of the day.
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Review of Stead & Simpson
03 May 08, 22:19
Bog Standard
This is the the complete opposite to the other shoe shop in Wantage "Geoffrey Bailey Shoes" which are expensive.
These are quite cheap and they have the lookalike shoes (eg ones that look like Timberland boots) and they're all the low end of the price range.
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Review of Rolys
03 May 08, 22:14
Solid
A classic barber shop. If you're looking for a toni and guy styling experience then you're in the wrong place.
If you're after a standard man's haircut then Roly's will do the job for you. You rarely have to queue, if you do it's for 5 minutes with a copy of the paper and then you're snipped and on your way. Prices are very cheap and it won't take much time out of your day
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Review of RCB Books
03 May 08, 20:48
Higgledy Piggledy
A fantastic little book shop full of unusual and main stream books, both new and second hand
As you walk down through the arcade past the tropy shop, the book store is spilling out all over the place. It has some order to it, but a bit chaotic which is what gives this place it's charm. In place of the regimented chain book stores, the higgledy piggledy nature of the place draws you in, like you've just stepped into your own Portabello Road
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Review of Sainsburys
01 May 08, 15:23
Open from 7am on Sunday
This is a rating for the garage that is on chain hill and a little way away from the supermarket itself
The garag is open from 7am every day (including sunday) and has a very spacious shop with all the name brands you would expect in a sainsburys. It's a bit less to offer than a Tesco Express, but still a lot on offer.
If you're going through the car wash remove your areal or you're taking your life into your hands and it's nearly ripped the thing off.
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Review of Nationwide Building Society
29 Apr 08, 21:48
In and Out
This branch has always been fast and efficient for the numerous years that it's been open.
There's never been much of a queue and you're dealt with very quickly. Handy if you want to be in and out of the door without much messing about.
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Review of House Of Spice
29 Apr 08, 17:09
Best in Wantage
This place is really nice on the inside. There's nothing dingey or typical indian restaurant about it.
The food is really nice and you can tell it's good as the restaurant is always full on the weekend. (not so full that you have to book, but full enough to ensure that all this regular people can't be wrong)
In a toss up though, the Elaichi in Grove just edges it, but this is perfectly good too.
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Review of Pancook House
29 Apr 08, 16:49
Solid
The best Chinese takeaway in Wantage.
The food is standard. it's not going to blow your socks off and make you do cartwheels, but you're also unlikely to send it back with a complaint.
They don't deliver so you'll have to pre-order and pick it up (or risk sat there on a saturday watching X-Factor with a copy of the sun while they prepare it)
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Review of Usa Fried Chicken
29 Apr 08, 16:48
Dry 
Southern fried chicken by another name.
Unfortuantely when I went there, they obviously hadn't had many peole in as I think this bird had been sat there a while as it was tough and as dry as a nun's prayerbook.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Charlton Park Garden Centre
29 Apr 08, 16:42
Sweets and Plants
Plants, fish and garden furniture are all on offer here. Handy and plentiful parking... which is great as it's right in the middle of a residential area of Wantage
More importantly... they do sweets and when you went to school on Springfield Road opposite it was ideal to get there at home time and back again just in time for the after school activities with a packet of Chewitts that were still only 10p
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Reed's Wantage
29 Apr 08, 16:37
New and Improved
Having moved from it's home on Mill street (to make way for some brand new housing) Reeds is still an old fashioned kind of Hardware shop
The staff always help you as you walk through the door and if they don't have it, they'll do their best to get it for you.
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Review of Walton Clothing Co
29 Apr 08, 16:05
M&S in Wantage
Convinced this place was going to close down for year, yet it ended up expanding.
It's a bit like Marks and Spencers in the fact that all the clothes are "safe" and what you would expect from Conservative Wantage. They're also of good quality and this is reflected in the price.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Blockbuster Video
29 Apr 08, 16:03
Blockbuster
You're normal Blockbuster video store, however if you're comparing prices, some of the online deals are much better.
But... If you want a particular movie on a certain night, then you can't guarentee that with the postal rental sites, but Blockbuster's can.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Topsport Sportsgoods
29 Apr 08, 16:02
School Kit
Top sport is quite expensive as sports shop go, especially when compared to the other high street stores. However if your child goes to the local secondry (or primary) school then these guys stock school uniforms and school sports kit.
I got my very first reversible school rugby shirt here... and i finally grew into it 3 and a half years later.
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Review of Wantage Shoe Repairs & Trophy Centre
29 Apr 08, 15:59
Well Heeled
I had a pair of shoes re-heeled her and they were really helpful. They had it done in very little time at all and the price was reasonable.
They also do trophies and if they don't have what you want in store, they can try and find it for you.
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Review of White Horse Recruitment
29 Apr 08, 15:57
Tardy
They do a lot of recruiting here for jobs at the nearby Milton park.
If you're looking for manual work to get some extra cash in, then you can try here.
However, I once went here and they eventually found me a job after 2 and a half months, by which time I could have starved to death.
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Review of Wessex Press
29 Apr 08, 15:55
Secret Tunnel?
They're able to offer printing services and photocopying, but also do office supplies.
If you can email/scan your documents instead of photocopying as it's really expensive
However, this used to be Miller's bookshop and there is legend that a secret tunnel runs from here to the the church, used for the priest to escape. Plus the place is haunted as well... but don't let that put you off.
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Review of Wine Rack
29 Apr 08, 15:51
Cool
This off licence is an independent and has been here for ages. They'e always got some deal on, especially if the supermarkets have closed and you've run out of booze.
They also have an almost instant wine chiller which is awesome to play with (note... don't get overexcited and put a bottle of red in it by accident, it' ruins it!)
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Review of Forbuoys
29 Apr 08, 15:50
Pension Queues
More of a corner shop than a newsagents.
Pretty much ever magazine ever thought of is available here... and if they don't have it, they'll order it in for you.
It's also got the post office for Wantage here too, but beware it can get really really busy in here... don't think of getting anything done on pension day or you'll be here for at least a good hour
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Review of Highly Strung
29 Apr 08, 15:47
Play On Words
The nearest musical instrument repair place around for miles
The staff are helpful and knowledgeable (they should be... they own the place) They're willing to help and give you advice. If they can't fix it they'll tell you who can which is really good of them too
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Badgers
29 Apr 08, 15:42
Badger Badger Badger(s)
Badgers has been in Wantage for ages and has a selection of lower end designers and budget brands of clothes.
A decent selection and the prices are quite reasonable. If you're clothes shopping you'll probably head into oxford, but if you're in the market place and have some time to kill, it's definately worth a wander.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Wantage Health Food Store
29 Apr 08, 15:39
Independent
Helpful staff and being an independent they have a vested interest in having you as a regular customer.
It's a bit more expensive than Holland and Barret which is a in the market place and they don't do as many special offers meaning you can end up spending a lot more than you would down the road
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Holland & Barrett
29 Apr 08, 15:37
Cashew Nut Central
The standard Holland Barrett that you find all over the country selling pills and vitamins.
The staff here were very helpful and as they had a sale on, helped me get everything for the cheapest price which was nice of them.
They're also one of the cheapest places in the world for cashew nuts... much cheaper than the supermarket.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Crystal Moon
29 Apr 08, 15:33
Oddities
A shop for oddities and unusual gifts that you won't find across the road at Woolworths.
Give it a look and you might just come away with a present that is unusual enough to make the recipient feel that you've put in a load of effort (it's certainly worked for me)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bbowt The Wildlife Shop
29 Apr 08, 15:31
Natural
This is the charity shop for Bbowt (formerly BBONT - Beds, Berks and Oxon nature trust)
It's a charity shop, but not the usualy clothes and books you expect from a Red cross. Everything has a nature theme to it, so if you're after wildlife books then this is a place to check out. You can also find out about nature trails and walks around the area.
The staff are helpful and can give you some ideas if you need a grassy trail to drag the kids down on a Sunday and how to keep them interested when you do it.
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Review of Cavern Of Dreams
29 Apr 08, 15:29
Oddities
The Cavern of Dreams is located on Mill Street and is an eclectic mix of gifts that you generally won't find on the high street.
It's always nice to find shops that are a one off, and it is certainly unique. If you're after an oddity then you can do worse in Wantage than check this place out.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Jasons Flowers
29 Apr 08, 15:27
Market
A florists for Wantage that appears every Wednesday and Saturday on market days.
The flowers are of decent quality and when I bought my mum a bunch of daffs they certainly lasted for a week which was quite good for a market stall
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bob's Tackle & Bait
28 Apr 08, 23:30
Stop laughing.
Once you've stopped sniggering at the name of the place and climbed the steps into this shop you'll end up in an environment where it's all about fishing.
The staff will help you with anything that you could possible need or want to know so don't be afraid to ask.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Marjories Fashion Shops
28 Apr 08, 23:26
M&S in Wantage
Women's fashions that has a distinctive Marks and Spencer feel about it.
The shop is long and thin, but with windows on either side you can see everything from the outside as you stroll through the Victoria Arcade.
The ladies in here were really nice though as they let me borrow a mannequin (It's a very long story that isn't half as interesting as it might sound)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Blanshard Fabrics
28 Apr 08, 23:22
Fabric
I can't remember a time when there wasn't Blanshards Fabrics. Anything you could want in the fabric world can be found here. (plus they do a cracking line in knitting stuff)
The people who work here have done so for ages so they know pretty much everything there is to know and can help you with whatever you need.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of K P R Engraving
28 Apr 08, 23:19
Engraving
If you need a trophy engraved in Wantage then this is the place to go(I'm pretty sure it's the only place to go in town)
they can engrave pretty much anything but doa great job with wedding rings and specialist items for commemorative days or celebrations
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Peter B Ledbury
28 Apr 08, 23:14
Electrics
One of 2 electrical stores in Wantage (the other is in Wallingford street across the road from Waitrose)
Prices are normal (they might not be able to match the big chains of electricals) and after sales car is good. It's definately handy if you don't want to have to trapse to Abingdon or Oxford.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Neater Dry Cleaners
28 Apr 08, 23:10
Dry Cleaning
For all your Dry Cleaning needs. One of the 2 dry cleaning places (the other one is in Grove)
It's reasonably priced and will even do alterations if needed
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Clovers Of Wantage
28 Apr 08, 23:07
Poundland-esque
Clovers is a bit like poundland, without the price restraint. A lot of tat, but if you're looking for tat then Clovers is the place to go.
My nan could lose hours in here, however they have a problem that a poundland has just opened next door. I don't know how this will effect them.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Woolworths
28 Apr 08, 23:04
Woolies
More affectionatly known as woolies, the DVDs and CDs are still quite pricey if you're buying them as they're released. However the bargains are reasonable.
If you go to the back of the store and to the left there is a neatly tucked away homewares department for pots and pans.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Royal Mail
28 Apr 08, 23:01
Smile-Free
Not the official post office, but the delivery and sorting office.
The place to pick up parcels but not to send them (that's round the corner at the convenience store/newsagents on Wallingford Street.) I've tried to smile to lots of people who work here, but I've yet to receive a smile back in return.
Maybe one day...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Electromec
28 Apr 08, 22:57
Just a Word
If you're looking at the map and expect to find a shop, you won't find one as it doesn't exist.
It's a contact for a cooker repair service that services AGA cooker ranges.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Dorothy Perkins
28 Apr 08, 22:53
Small Selection
A small branch of Dorothy Perkins. Yoy won't find a massive selection here, that is saved for their bigger store in Oxford.
It's also a bit disappointing if you're tall and are hoping to find any of their Long Tall Sally Range. However, to find a shop like this in Wantage is a rarity, so make the most of it, it's a trip to Oxford for more than this.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Heart To Heart
28 Apr 08, 22:51
Cards for Wantage
In the regent shopping mall, but with a door onto Newbury street, Heart To Heart are basically a Clinton's Cards for Wantage without having to compete with them in the town.
You can pick up a card for every occasion and postcards of Wantage (basically the statue in the market place) and the surrounding area (a duckpond and old house in Childrey)
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Review of Wantage Book Shop
28 Apr 08, 22:48
Independent
Little independent book shops are a rare thing nowadays so if you get to Wantage you can lose an hour in here seeing what they have.
New and used books are on offer here and you might just find a bargain.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Stan James Racing
28 Apr 08, 22:37
Depressing
Tucked away down a small alley between the market place and the back of Waitrose car park
It's normal bookies, however the location is incredibly depressing and the only improvement recently is the fact that since the smoking ban, the shop doesn't billow with the smell of cigarettes.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ridgeway Cycles
28 Apr 08, 22:34
Bikes and Care
I bought my first ever bike from here and Ridgeway have always been part of Wantage.
The guys here have been working here for years and know everything there is to know about bikes. Slightly more expensive than the cycle supermarkets you can go o, but will help you if you have any problems and fit the bike too you. Many a Wantage kid has got their first bike here and even had the stabilisers taken off by them too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bakers Oven
28 Apr 08, 22:32
Great Sausage Rolls
Feeding Wantage 6th formers for ages. They start early and do a mean sausage roll ready for breakfast. their belgian buns are actually really good too.
People still queue for the fresh bread and the line goes out of the shop into the victoria arcade
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Peter Casey Jewellers
28 Apr 08, 22:30
Institution
An institution in Wantage and has been in the town for ages.
Prices are reasonable and have everything you'd expect form the high street chains, but conveniently in Wantage Town centre, just off the market place.
Conveniently, the pavement is wide enough that you won't block the pavement as you gawp through the window
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Wantage Leisure Centre
28 Apr 08, 22:28
Leisure
Council run leisure centre with everything you'd expect.
It's the main (well only) pool for Wantage. Numerous classes and an extensive timetable starting early and finishing late.
The gym hall can be used for raquet sports and indoor footabll and there are outside floodlit tennis and football courts as well
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Watermelon Lingerie
22 Apr 08, 15:45
Pricey
A second hand review that was given to me by the lady who cut my hair at Rolys nearby. She said that although the stuff was nice, but it was pricey so she continued to buy stuff at Marks and Spencer and only treated herself to stuff at Watermelon. Even their standard average bras were “expensive”
…that haircut was some experience I can tell you!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Fat Face
16 Apr 08, 18:30
Pricey
Wantage is just too small of a town to support a shop like this. The clothes are quite expensive for the high street and Wantage has very little footfall, so you won't find many people in the shop.
Most Wantage residents will travel to Oxford for this type of retail shopping, however the clothes are surfy and perfect if that's the kind of look you like even though they are on the pricey side
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Shoulder Of Mutton
16 Apr 08, 14:44
Kings Arms mrk2
Just like the Kings Arms
It's an old man pub. You won't get much life in there. the only time you'll see anyone under 40 is a pub crawl that has to take in the "Shoulder" and the obligatory Kings Arms stops...
In fact just see the Kings Arms review, it's pretty much the same
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Review of Kings Arms
16 Apr 08, 14:42
Old Man Pub
If you're looking for lively nightlife, fast action and good food then the Kings Arms is not for you.
However if your looking for an old man pub then the Kings Arms is for you. Everyone knows everyone and it's only a stumble to the other pub across the road
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Blakes Bistro
16 Apr 08, 14:39
Not really a Bistro
This is far more of a bar than a bistro. They serve food, but have a focus on Sports and football with a large screen at the end of the bar.
This converted shop unit still has the feel that your standing in a shop and should be looking for price tags everywhere. Not bad if you want to see football, but not the best place to eat in the town
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Vale & Downland Museum
15 Apr 08, 16:28
Want-Ages
Is there a kid in Wantage and Grove who hasn't been taken here and stared into that well with the grate over it? No.. well I'll review it anyway.
You can get around this museum in under an hour, it's free (I think) and you can get a cup of coffee and the kids press all the buttons on the interactive exhibitions.
If they've still got a traditional wear of when Wantage was a farming community on those human dolls... please keep small kids away. I'm now a grown adult and those things still haunt my dreams
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Geoffery Bailey Shoes
15 Apr 08, 16:17
Stalwart
An institution of Wantage... been around for ages and always a pro at getting King Alfred's kids into a pair of Clarks startright.j
Starting to go for an upper end of the market as reflected in the show window frontage that has moved around to opposite Barclays Bank, but where would Wantage be without Bailey's... Oliver's went ages ago!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Waitrose
15 Apr 08, 16:14
How Much??
Waitrose has been in the town for years... the food is more expensive than anywhere else, but you do feel like a better class of person as you wander around the aisles.
Once you've perused a pudding with someone in a quilted barbour jacket... Aldi just won't cut it ever again. Great food, but horrifically expensive. Even the till staff are better than you... so don't forget it.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Sainsburys
15 Apr 08, 16:12
Average
What did we do before Sainsburys arrived... well we took our own lunch to Sixth Form (or we used to eat Chip Butties for a pound)
Now they have moved to a specially built site (not Normans or Consumers for any original residents of Wantage), they can expand their operation to games and homewares. You still find that at busy times there aren't enouth till staff and the vegetable aisles quickly run out of stock.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Grove Street Tyres & Exhausts
15 Apr 08, 16:08
Reliable 
Hand, helpful and economical
They can do a job in an instant and will repair a tyre if it's possible
Very friendly and always accommodating if you're in a rush. You get a good service as they rely a lot on word of mouth, so you can be safe in the knowledge you're not getting done over
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of King Alfred's Head
15 Apr 08, 15:26
Times They Are A Changin'
There was a time when the thought of going into the "Fred's Head" brought most local residents out in a cold sweat.
The lightening quick shot on a pub crawl that was taken at around 7pm, so you could be out by 7.05 before the more colourful locals came for a pint (and generally a fight)
Tables and chairs bolted to the floor and blood red carpets were the norm.
However... it's a beautiful Gastro pub with superb food and great catering for their function room. An absolute gem in Wantage.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Royal Oak Inn
15 Apr 08, 15:21
It's A Ship
On the corner of Newbury St and Portway, you can often see a few smokers huddled under the tiny porch to the front door.
Separated into 2 bars... 2 very small bars... you'll find a local ale and probably find more out about what's happening in Wantage than any hair salon
The Royal Oak is a ship... just in case you were wondering
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bell Inn
15 Apr 08, 15:17
The Bells
Run by a staunch Oxford United supporter, so you're likely to find Sentanta sports in here for a giant dose of Blue Square Premier football (formerly Conference)
The word, snug would describe this place as it's quite a long pub with nooks to nestly yourself away in. Serving the middle aged market of Wantage, so plenty of local bitters and real ales are available with the usual suspects of lagers
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Swan
15 Apr 08, 15:14
Swantage
Always had a reputation as serving the very youngest end of the market... but it appears to have shaken this image off. It continues with live music in the shadow of Wantage's parish church.
Plus it's opposite an indian restaurant so it's perfectly placed for both history and a peshwari naan
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Lamb Inn
15 Apr 08, 15:11
Lamb-ada
An ever expanding pub that has recently been closed due to the flooding in 2007.
From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow and this nook of a pub with a tiny bar expanded 10 years ago and hasn't looked back. Plenty of room and choice of drinks, plus, it's run by a wnatage family of some note. It has shaken off it's reputation as a pub for sixth formers and the food has improved considerably
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Blue Boar
15 Apr 08, 15:07
Boared
A pub that had a reputation as a bar for the younger end of the market, however this has changed in recent times and now is a bar that serves pub food. The tables take up space that would normally have crammed drinkers in, but the food is ok and the beer is averagely priced for Wantage
It does tend to lack an atmosphere though.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.