Holly's reviews
Review of Oxfam
13 Nov 07, 22:44
fair trade... 
This is quite a good branch of Oxfam. It has both new and old stock. It sells a good range of Fair Trade products too. There isnt a huge amount in here sometimes, so its worth keep checking back to see if they've got some new things out. I can usually find a cool vintage bag for less than £3 though.
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Review of Chromos Art Supplies
13 Nov 07, 22:33
Affordable art supplies...
This is a bit more affordable than Cross's at the other end of town. It is a bit hidden away on one of the street off the high street but its worth finding. This place has all that you need for art and crafting. The staff are really friendly and helpful
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Review of T K Max
13 Nov 07, 22:29
A good branch...
This is quite a good branch of TK maxx because its never crazy busy and its quite tidy. They have some good labels at this branch such as fred perry, diesel, marc jacobs, c by chloe and ollie&nic. You just have to be willing to search. There is more womens wear than mens and a good selection of shoes for both sexes. The homeware section is nice too. You can be sure to find a bargain!
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Review of Choices Video
13 Nov 07, 22:22
Good rental shop...
This is the Heavitree branch of Choices, it is quite a lot smaller than the one by the River Exe. It still has a good choice of film with all the latest realeases. It has video games to rent as well. There are also plenty of snacks to see you through your film too. The staff are friendly and helpful. They have a lisitng of when films are being released to DVD which is pretty useful
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Review of Cancer Research
13 Nov 07, 17:17
a good charity shop...
This shops is crammed with lovely bargains, you often get some great value labelled clothes here. You have to rummage even though the shop is well organised it is still quite hard to shop as so much is packed into a small space. Lovely staff, always really friendly if you spend over £10, which I always do you can pay on card. They also sell some nice new things.
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Review of Sense
13 Nov 07, 17:17
good charity shop...
This charity shop is one of the better quality ones in Whitstable. It is situated in a very large shop and holds furniture. Most of the good stock is sold fairly quickly so you have to be fast if you want something. They have good selection of all stock and have good window displays. Staff and friendly and helpful and you can always grab a bargain.
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Review of Munchies
13 Nov 07, 17:08
late night fuel...
Munchies serves all the kind of food you re looking for when you ve had too much to drink and its about 2 in the morning. They do very good pizzas. The guys who run it our very friendly and are up for a laugh even when its late. A nice takeaway joint
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Review of Bhs
13 Nov 07, 16:59
facelift...
BHS is a long standing landmark in Canterbury and has recently undergone a major facelift in line with the White Friars development. It still sells all the usual stuff clothes, shoes, bridal wear. They have really upped their home wear range and you can now get some great bargains that are really well designed. Overall - Nice new store.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Pizza Hut
13 Nov 07, 16:52
long queues...
I dont know what it is about Pizza Hut in Canterbury but there is always a queue out of the door at lunctime, obviously its a town of pizza lovers or just a bargain. The lunchtime buffet is a good deal, but the choice of pizza here is pretty rubbish they never seem to put out of the good ones. The food is really salty and just not good for you. The service is ok, nothing special. I dont think its worth a wait in the cold
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Review of Miss Selfridge
13 Nov 07, 16:45
ok store...
This is one of the beter Miss Selfridge branches. It is quite big so has more to offer than some of the other branches. It generally looks good depsite being in a very busy shopping mall. The staff are ok, but can tend to be busy chatting to eachother.
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Review of Topshop
13 Nov 07, 16:38
good selection...
This is a very big Topshop and Topman. It has quite a lot to offer. It usually looks good despite being really busy. The staff are friendly and helpful. They do most the ranges including the Kate Moss collection.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Pret A Manger
13 Nov 07, 16:05
good service...
this is what you would expect from a pret a manger, good service and good coffee. I particularly like Pret because it prides itself on good quality food and on fair trade. If you cant find an independant coffee shop then I think Pret is the next best thing...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Gap
13 Nov 07, 16:02
a good Gap...
This is quite a good Gap. It is quite small and doesnt always have all the stock that other Gaps do. It does have Gap kids and Baby Gap upstairs though. The store always looks well kept. The staff are friendly and helpful.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of C&h Coffee Shop
13 Nov 07, 15:57
light lunch...
This place serves hot lunches, such as jacket potatoes, toasties, omlettes, soups as well as sandwiches and baguettes. The food is pretty good for what it is. Prices are reasonable. The decor is pretty dated and the customers are usually old age pensioners or mums who take advantage of the baby changing facilties. They also have baby food, bottle warmers and high chairs here, so its actually pretty good for young families.
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Review of Habitat
13 Nov 07, 15:50
great design...
I like Habitat it has some really nice pieces of furniture. Though I think it is a bit expensive for what it is, I could go to Ikea and get something similar for cheaper. The Canterbury shop is nice and has a good selection. There is a good furniture area upstairs. The staff here are helpful
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Review of Toni & Guy
13 Nov 07, 15:33
good service...
Whilst at uni in Exeter, I never really got round to finding an independent hairdressers and just went for the safe option of going to Toni and Guys. Plus the first time I went here I ended up getting a free haircut by agreeing to be a model for the girl who cut my hair, which was pretty good as I went with the full intention of paying. So ever since then I decided I liked it. The service is good here and the staff are friendly. The prices are reasonable as most places now tend to charge a lot for a hairdressers. Though the price goes up the higher the hairdresser you have. A nice relaxing salon...
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Review of Hawkins Bizarre
13 Nov 07, 15:06
cheap bits and pieces...
This is a good place to come if you are looking for small little presents to keep your kids entertained. They have lots of silly little toys and things like glow in the drak stars. Most of the things here are inexpensive and good fun. They also sell some nice original old skool robots.
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Review of Starbucks
13 Nov 07, 15:03
nice location...
This is what you would expect from a starbucks, good coffee and good service. What I particularly like about this Starbucks is its location. It is situated right next to Canterbury Cathedral. You can either sit and look out on to the town or you can sit and look at the Cathedral green and the grand building itself. There are lots of little nooks and crannies in this branch with lots of comfy sofas.
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Review of Steamer Trading
13 Nov 07, 14:55
kitchenware galore...
This place has every thing you could ever need for your kitchen. They have all sorts of gadgets as well as designer china ware and glasses. They also sell cleaning equipment and other bits and pieces such as food storage containers. The staff here are friendly and helpful
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Review of Costa
13 Nov 07, 14:42
plenty of room...
This is a nice Costas, the service is good and the staff are friendly and quick. This is a really big Costa, so there is loads of room to sit down and you can find somewhere away from everyone else. There is also a good amount of seating outisde which is nice on a summers day. I have to recommend their chocolate frappes as they are so yummy
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Review of Caffe Nero
13 Nov 07, 14:39
coffee in a listed building...
This is what you would expect from a Cafe Nero, good service and good coffee. What is special about this branch of Cafe Nero is the building it is in. It is a listed Elizabethan building, dotted around are old features that have had to be kept such as a stove and fireplace. This gives a somewhat boring chain shop a more quirky and original feel
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Review of The Mechanical Elephant
13 Nov 07, 14:31
an average wetherspoons...
This place is pretty average (except for the name), you get what you expect from a J.D Wetherspoons. The service was ok and quite prompt. The food was good, I can recommend the sausage and onion sandwich they do.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Primark
13 Nov 07, 14:29
messy but to be expected...
This branch of Primark is quite good for some reason I always manage to find something decent that I dont think the rest of the UK will be wearing. Its messy but this is to be expected of Primark and I think theres an expectation that you re willing to rifle through piles of clothes if you shop here. Staff here are better than at other Primarks I've been to.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Duke of Cumberland
13 Nov 07, 14:24
a nice pub...
This is a nice and inviting pub. Has plenty of comfy seating inside and a small beer garden out the back. They also serve food and have a dining area. I have never had food here but havent heard anything bad about it. The staff are friendly and the place has a nice mix of locals and visitors. Drinks are reasonably priced
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Rock Bottom Records
13 Nov 07, 14:04
independent cd shop...
This is a good palce to come to if you are looking for an old cd. Maybe you ve been thinking of getting it but never got round to it. I suggest you come here rather than going to HMV. It is independently owned and the guy who runs the shop really knows his stuff. You can also get hold of vinyl here and some pretty rare cds. Prices vary on what you re buying. They do sell current artists too, oh and videos.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Mosaic
13 Nov 07, 13:56
handmade lovelies...
Mosaic is a lovely little boutique shop that offers a good range of unique jewellery and other nic nacs. It has lots of handmade glass bead jewellery. It has quite an ethnic feel to it. In another little area they have some clothes which are made from natural materials. The lady who owns the shop is very friendly
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Review of Warehouse
13 Nov 07, 13:42
not that great...
I dont particularly like this branch of Warehouse. It often seems quite messy and overcrowded. The staff are usually talking to eachother about what they got up to last night. There is hardly every anyone on the fitting rooms, so you cant get help or advise if you need it. Dissapointing!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Miss Selfridge
13 Nov 07, 13:40
shared shop...
It is quite a strange set up here, but Miss Selfridge is located upstairs from Warehouse. This means sometimes it gets overlooked by the lazy who cant be bothered to walk up the stairs. Its deceptively bigger than the Warehouse downstairs. It always seems quiet up here. The shop looks good and the staff are helpful .They have a good range of shoes here and have more to choose from than most Miss Selfridges I ve been to
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of House Of Fraser
13 Nov 07, 13:34
making changes...
This department store was previously part of the small Dingles chain but is now part of House of Fraser. This means it now has better labels under its roof such as whistles and French sole. This branch is bigger than the one in Exeter and has a better selection of items
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Review of French Connection
13 Nov 07, 13:28
good selection...
This is quite a big french connection so has more to offer than most branches. It is more centred around womens wear and therefore there is less to choose from in terms of mens wear. The store always looks good. Sales here are great and you can usually find a bargain. Staff are friendly and helpful
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Karen Millen
13 Nov 07, 13:26
nice shop...
Karen Millen is relatively new to Canterbury. It is a really nice shop and always looks good. Karen Millen offers more formal wear and does really nice dresses. The staff are helpful and friendly. The prices are a bit more expensive than other high street stores like Topshop
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ikea
13 Nov 07, 13:09
Huge!!!
This is the largest Ikea I have ever been to and probably the most mental of all of them too. I have to admit that we went on a Saturday afternoon which proably wasnt a wise move. This branch is like most others and offers great affordable well designed furniture. I have to say that the staff here were partucularly helpful and helped us track down the bed we were hunting for and were able to let us know how many they had in stock of another item.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Hotel Chocolat Store
13 Nov 07, 12:46
chocolate heaven...
If you like chocolate then this is a good shop for you. Unfortunately, its not a hotel made out of chocolate but a shop that offers a huge range of chocolate treats. There is so much to choose from, bags of chocolate covered nuts to more fancy hand-made chocolates. This is an ideal place to come to get a gift for someone or maybe just treat yourself. The staff are very friendly and the prices vary on the type of chocolate you are purchasing but are generally reasonable
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Blockbuster
13 Nov 07, 12:42
its a shame...
that this is pretty much the only dvd rental place in town. It seems as though Blockbuster has managed to push out many of the smaller shops. This has meant that copies of new films go pretty quickly here, so if you want to see a particular film it may not be there! Staff are friendly enough. There are plenty of snacks available here. They also have computer games to rent as well as to buy.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Topshop
13 Nov 07, 12:20
a top shop...
There is not a huge amount I can say about this place, after all it is Topshop. It is a good branch and always looks good, the visuals are pretty impressive. It is well kept and not too messy. What is good about this branch is that is big (especially compared to Canterburys previous Topshop) and therefore has a greater choice of clothes than many other branches. It also has a good Topman upstairs
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of House Of Fraser
13 Nov 07, 11:41
improved...
Previously known as Dingles this department store now comes under the name of House of Fraser. This has meant there have been a few improvements to this somewhat outdated store. They now stock many more well known brands such as whistles and fench sole. The shop itself also looks better. The young trends area for girls is much better and has far more to offer now. I'm glad to see that this place is now doing better and I hope it continues to do so as it is part of Exeter history, its just a shame it had to become part of a bigger chain to do so
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of PizzaExpress
13 Nov 07, 11:04
good pizza...
This is a nice branch of Pizza Express. It is quite big and it nicely situated away from the main shopping promenades of Bluewater. It is glass fronted and over looks one of the man made lakes. It can get quite busy here at the peak of lunchtime, though there are sofas for people waiting to be seated. The service is always good though and the staff are friendly. The food is good as you would expect.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Post Office
13 Nov 07, 10:57
join the queue...
I think this is pretty much the only Post Office in central croydon, well at least the length of the queue would suggest this. Everytime I go in the queue snakes back to the door. There are lots of people serving I think its just generally really busy than down to poor service. So if you have a more local post office I would suggest you go there. A good thing about this branch is that it seems to stock everything you'd need from post-its to phones
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ha Ha Bar And Canteen
12 Nov 07, 21:56
Average...
This place has a good feel to it and is modern and airy. They serve food here during the day. I have had lunch here once and it was all right, nothing special. I had the nachos and they weren't as good as Cafe des Amis. The prices are reasonable. During the night this is a popular place for a drink and a bit of a dance. There are various themed nights with d.js. This place is quite popular with students.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Rio
12 Nov 07, 21:53
coke floats float my boat...
This is your typical greasy spoon. If you want a large breakfast that looks like it could give you a heart attack by just looking at it, then come here. The food is good for what it is. The decor is dated. I have to say though that their coke floats are really yummy. There is also quite a large garden area with lots of picnic tables. This is basically what you'd expect, but it is still good!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cj's
12 Nov 07, 21:52
light lunch...
This is a baguette shop that is ideal for lunches. They have a wide variety of fillings and types of bread. They also have drink, crisps and chocolate. The service is pretty good, though it can get quite busy so you may have to queue. The prices are reasonable too.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Olive Grove
12 Nov 07, 21:50
reasonable italian...
This is a good traditional Italian restaurant. It is very inviting with a relaxed feel; candle lit tables and nice views overlooking the town. The food is very good and of a high standard. There is a nice choice on the menu with traditional Italian meals as well as some other specials. The staff are very friendly and the service is good and fast. The prices are reasonable. A nice evening out to be had here!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Oriental City
12 Nov 07, 21:49
pricey chinese...
This is a good Chinese restaurant. You walk in and its pretty impressive, a large open space with black marble flooring opens up into the main of the restaurant. The food here is really yummy and is of a good standard. The staff are really attentive, maybe a bit too much so. The service is good and fast. The food is quite expensive though and I think it's a bit too much for what it is. This restaurant also offers a takeaway service.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Beano Cafe
12 Nov 07, 21:48
greasy spoon...
This is your typical greasy spoon. If you want a large breakfast that looks like it could give you a heart attack by just looking at it, then come here. The food is good for what it is. The decor is dated. It is quite studenty with plenty of young bright things obviously trying to cure a hangover from hell. This is basically what you'd expect, but it is still good!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Eat
12 Nov 07, 21:47
a pleasant change...
I really like this chain of eateries as they offer something a bit different from the usual. They are always nice and airy with a modern feel. The staff are friendly and the service is quick. There is also an area of outside seating and further chairs upstairs. The food is yummy and makes a nice change from a M&S sandwich.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Garden Store
12 Nov 07, 21:46
fancy gardener....
This shop has just moved off of the main street of Salcombe to the quieter area by the boat workshops on Island Street. This shop sells lovely garden furniture, and we're not talking plastic chairs this is quality stuff, with prices to match. They also sell fancy garden gloves and other such things. They do some really nice clocks that have great designs on them. This is quite a pricey shop but the products are a bit special. The staff are friendly, a good shop!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Musto
12 Nov 07, 21:36
clothes for a day on the boat...
If you like sailing you'll like this shop. It has all you need, such as kit bags and super warm anoraks for a day out on the estuary. The staff here are very friendly and know their stock very well, which is always a bonus. The prices are ok, maybe a bit expensive but they fit in with the sort of customer that they are targeting. This branch sells a wide range of menswear and is bigger than the shop across the road
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Musto
12 Nov 07, 21:35
sailing wear...
If you like sailing you'll like this shop. It has all you need, such as kit bags and super warm anoraks for a day out on the estuary. The staff here are very friendly and know their stock very well, which is always a bonus. The prices are ok, maybe a bit expensive but they fit in with the sort of customer that they are targeting. It is so popular they have recently opened this shop across the road from the original. This branch only sells ladieswear. A good shop!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Siesta
12 Nov 07, 21:34
tourist hot spot...
This is quite a strange shop; it sells all sorts of weird and wonderful things. It is a haven for foreign students and teenagers. They come here to get such things as whoopee cushions and other annoying things. Siesta also sells lots of ethnic inspired bits and pieces, think dream catchers and bongo drums. Upstairs they sell clothes, goth and hippy. They also sell a wide range of jewellery such as belly bars and flesh tunnel plugs. I have not been in here since I was 16. It's not a bad place it's just not my kind of thing anymore. It is quite a good place for finding small funny gifts!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Old Gate Inn
12 Nov 07, 21:25
Roadside view...
This is an average pub that is unfortunately situated right next to a busy road out of Canterbury. So the views out of the window might not be great, but inside it is quite cosy and has that welcoming pub sort of feel. They serve hot meals here and have a dining area. The food is nothing special, but not bad either. Prices are reasonable and the staff and service are good.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Stone
12 Nov 07, 21:24
Relaxing...
This hairdresser's has a very nice modern decor and always looks good and inviting. The staff here are very friendly. They offer a wide range of drinks (at one point they even used to do wine). I always feel relaxed after being here, they sometimes do hand massages whilst you have your haircut. The hairdresser who I regularly had was always really nice and cut my hair just how I wanted. I never felt like I couldn't say if I wanted something changed. Prices are quite reasonable and no more expensive than many other places. They also depend on what level hairdresser you have. Good hairdressers!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Merchant Chandler
12 Nov 07, 21:23
an eclectic mix...
This shop is a strange combination of nic - nacs and furniture. It is a nice shop and it is quite a good place to go to look for small gifts. They do have some good pieces for the home too, lots of soft furnishings and storage ideas. You then walk into a larger area, which holds furniture; it has more sort of ethnic pieces and rugs. Prices vary and much of the small bits and pieces are quite cheap. This is a nice shop to have a mosey around.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cocoa Tree
11 Nov 07, 14:50
unique boutique...
This is a little boutique situated half way up the hill on Kingsbridges main street. It is only small but it has some really nice pieces. It only does womenswear and stocks some well known brands. It stocks French Connection which is a bit special for this area as there isnt a stand alone French Connection shop in the south west. Cocoa also sells some shoes and bags. The lady who runs the boutique is very friendly and helpful. It is nice to see that individual and unique places still exist and not all towns have "clone high streets".
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of City Fish & Chips
11 Nov 07, 14:28
busy fish and chip shop...
This is a very small fish and chip shop, and can get quite cramped. Though it does serve some pretty good fish and chips. They also serve all the other suspects you would expect to see in a fish and chip shop. This place gets very busy at lunchtimes. The combination of tourists wanting some traditional fish and chips and workers and students wanting a quick lunch can mean a long queue. So expect to wait a while to place your order
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Imperial
11 Nov 07, 13:53
student heaven...
The Imperial may well be a wetherspoons but the building itself is lovely. It used to be an old country house. The best part is the Orangery a beautiful large open conservatory style area. There is also loads of outside seating with plenty of picnic tables and room to kick a ball about. This place is quite studenty as it is located right near the university. But it is a nice place to get some food and drink as the service is pretty good. There is also a family dining area. Friday and saturday nights are packed in here as the drinks are so cheap. This is one of the nicer j.d wetherspoons out there.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Little Italy
11 Nov 07, 13:48
Good italian...
A nice little Italian restaurant in an old tudor building in the centre of Canterbury situated next to The River Stour. Here they serve traditional Italian food to a good standard. The staff are helpful and attentive. The prices are reasonable. Makes a nice change from all the other Italian chain restaurants on the market. A little slice of Italy in Canterbury...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Odeon Cinema
11 Nov 07, 11:38
Nice cinema...
This branch of Odeon is quite large for a cinema in the town centre. There are about 5 screens so there are plenty of films to choose from. If you like to snack whilst watching a film you have lots to choose from, lots of popcorn, ice cream and pick and mix. But as with most places this is quite expensive. Screens vary in size and sometimes you find you ve nearly got the whole place to yourself. This building used to be an old hall and has quite an impressive atrium. A nice cinema...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Odeon Cinema
11 Nov 07, 11:36
new comfy seats...
This branch of Odeon is quite small and has only 2 screens. If you like to snack whilst watching a film you have lots to choose from, lots of popcorn, ice cream and pick and mix. But as with most places this is quite expensive. This cinema has had new seats put in which is a much needed improvement as previously it was uncomfortable and cramped. Dont expect to see any indie films here, however they do show older films on Thursday nights
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Odeon Cinema
11 Nov 07, 11:25
Huge Cinema....
This branch of Odeon is particularly large and situated out of town. There are many screens so there are plenty of films to choose from. If you like to snack whilst watching a film you have lots to choose from, lots of popcorn, ice cream and pick and mix. But as with most places this is quite expensive. Screens vary in size and sometimes you find you ve nearly got the whole place to yourself.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Amf Bowling
11 Nov 07, 11:15
Big Bowling....
Bowling always makes for a fun night, but what makes it even better is disco bowl. This is a regular feature at most bowling alleys, where the bright lights light the lanes and everyone takes on a UV glow. Staff are helpful and sort out any problems with your lane quite promptly. You can get food here but its nothing special and quite expensive for what it is, plus it usually takes a while to arrive so I'd personally eat elsewhere. There are also fun games to play if you have to wait for a lane or something such as air hockey. This is a large bowling alley which is good as it means you dont have to wait to long for a lane. A fun night...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Amf Bowling
11 Nov 07, 11:13
Good bowling, bad food...
Bowling always makes for a fun night, but what makes it even better is disco bowl. This is a regular feature at most bowling alleys, where the bright lights light the lanes and everyone takes on a UV glow. Staff are helpful and sort out any problems with your lane quite promptly. You can get food here but its nothing special and quite expensive for what it is, plus it usually takes a while to arrive so I'd personally eat elsewhere. There are also fun games to play if you have to wait for a lane or something such as air hockey. A fun night...
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cosmo
11 Nov 07, 10:57
Good Cantonese...
Alternating from an all-you-can-eat-buffet during the day time to an a la carte restaurant in the evenings, this one of a chain of cantonese restaurants is situated on the sea-front. A very good range of starters and main courses are provided for the good value buffet. It is self service however the staff are attentive and clear away used plates very quickly. The background music is a mixture of oriental and 90's boy bands, often the CD repeats at least once during a sitting, however the hustle and bustle of the very busy dining area often makes the music inaudible, some might say this is a good thing!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Mill On Exe
11 Nov 07, 10:48
Dinner by the river...
Traditional looking gastro-pub which is situated on the River Exe just outside of the centre of the city. To order drinks and food one must go to the bar then the meals are brought to the table. The food is good and the prices reflect the portion sizes. The service is average. Large, timbered, airy rooms with an open fire on cold winter days help create a friendly atmosphere. Always busy especially at weekends but the size of the building means one can always find somewhere to sit. Good outside seating on a decked terrace overlooking the river, and also benches on the river bank itself.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of H & M
10 Nov 07, 15:43
surprisingly tidy...
For regular shoppers of H&M they are usually very messy and busy and often you feel as if you have walked into a some sort of boot fair. This particular branch is different. Yes the place is very busy, especially on a Saturday, but the staff do a good job of keeping it in control. This store has also recently been refurbished and looks really good for it. It is also much bigger and holds a good selection of the different ranges within the H&M brand. The staff are friendly and helpful and I think they deal really well with the sheer volume of people that come into this store and trash it.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of PizzaExpress
10 Nov 07, 15:30
Lovely location, good food...
I always enjoy going to Pizza Express, there is always a nice atmosphere in this particular branch. The decor is nice with a light contemporary feel. The food is really good. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. This branch is in a nice location as it overlooks the River Stour. Though this being said it may be that you get seated in area where you cant see it, as there are several areas to this particular branch and they dont all share the same the good view. All in all a nice restaurant.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of PizzaExpress
10 Nov 07, 15:27
Italian by the cathedral...
I always enjoy going to Pizza Express, there is always a nice atmosphere in this particular branch. The decor is nice with a light contemporary feel. The food is really good. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. This branchis in a nice location as it overlooks the cathedral green. I had a birthday meal here before and we were wuite a large table and they coped very well, bringing everyones meals at more or less the same time. A nice place to eat...
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Review of White Stuff
10 Nov 07, 15:14
seaside style....
This branch of the White Stuff is really nice and always looks good. It holds womenswear on one area of the shop which then leads through to the menswear. There is probably a better selection for women than there is men here. The staff are always very helpful and know alot about their stock. This is a really nice shop, I especially like the range of inexpensive jewellery they hold
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Review of Zizzi's
10 Nov 07, 15:11
good food, good value...
I always enjoy going to Zizi's, there is always a nice atmosphere in this particular branch. The decor has a nice Italian feel about it, without being tacky. The food is really good. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. This branch isnt as nice as the one in nearby Whitstable. So if you are a particular fan of Zizi's I'd suggest you go to the one in Whitstable
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Review of Zizzi
10 Nov 07, 15:09
Italian by the sea...
I always enjoy going to Zizi's, there is always a nice atmosphere in this particular branch. The decor has a nice Italian feel about it, without being tacky. The food is really good. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. This branch has a nice outside area with plenty of seating. It is also right by the sea, which the means restaurant is in the ideal location for a nice after meal stroll
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Zizzi
10 Nov 07, 15:07
good food, good value...
I always enjoy going to Zizi's, there is always a nice atmosphere in this particular branch. The decor has a nice Italian feel about it, without being tacky. The food is really good. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. This branch has a nice secluded outside seating area and large glass windows making it very airy and light inside.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Spice Mahal
10 Nov 07, 14:41
good service...
A reasonable Indian restaurant in most aspects. I regularly have a takeaway from the Spice Mahal. The portions from the takeaway are generous, offering good value for money, and delivery is usually quite quick with the food arriving warm to hot. This is pretty good when taking into consideration the country roads especially in summer. A great variety of dishes and set meals are available with other types of dishes running alongside the usual Inidan food. Overall a decent takeaway service.
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Review of Jasmine Chinese Restaurant
10 Nov 07, 14:25
great takeaway...
The Jasmine is Kingsbridge is a restaurant and take away service. I have never been to the restaurant but have never heard anything bad about it. The takeaway service is pretty good. They offer free delivery to salcombe when you spend over £15 (which is easily done). They arrived within an hour which isnt too bad. Of course times will vary depending when in the evening you order. The food is really good. Its one of the best chinese takeways I've had. Prices are ok, for some reason Chinese always seems to be more expensive than other takeaways. But if you dont feel like cooking I reccommend the Jasmine
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Review of Fat Face
10 Nov 07, 13:37
Fat Face...
This is a really large branch of Fat Face. The space used to be the only sort of supermarket in salcombe, but I wont go into that as I dont want to upset the lovers of local. So yes, this Fat Face has a lot to offer and has womens wear, mens wear as well as childrens clothing. The store always looks good and is all decked out in wood and fits very well into the Salcombe sailing and beach style. This shop is really popular and can get quite busy. The staff are friendly and know their stock well which is always good. A nice shop...
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Review of Joules
10 Nov 07, 13:32
Wish wellingtons...
This is a really nice branch of Joules, the shop always looks good and has a nice airy feel to it. They stock both menswear and womenswear aswell as kids clothing too. They also have lots of the lovely designed wellingtons that Joules is known for doing in bright and bold colours. The staff here are very friendly and always ask if you need any help. They are also very knowledgeable about the products which is always good. A nice shop..
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Review of Sea Chest
10 Nov 07, 13:27
wide selection...
This is quite an unusual shop for Salcombe in that it sells a bit of everything. It mainly sells womens clothing. It has recently improved quite a bit and sell labels such as Lipsy and does some quite modern pieces for girls. The shop also sells shoes, bags and bits and pieces for the home. They also have a nice collection of inexpensive jewellery. The staff are very friendly. The decor is a bit dated but this isnt really a huge problem. Prices range depending on what you choose from their wide selection. This is a good shop to pick up someone a holiday gift or maybe just to treat yourself to a little something
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Review of Jack Wills
10 Nov 07, 13:21
The original...
Not many people know this but Jack Wills was actually started up in Salcombe and the shop situated here is the original. So this shop in itself is a little bit of retail history. The shop is very nice and always looks good, with nice displays. They have both menswear and womenswear in this store and have a good range of product to choose from. The staff are really friendly and always ask if you need any help. If you like all that kind of beach wear style clothing then you ll love this shop
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Review of Ward Room
10 Nov 07, 13:16
lovely view...
You have to walk through a shop to get to this small tea room but the view at the end is worth it. This place looks out across the whole estuary and on a sunny day you can sit at tables on a platform above the water. The inside is a bit dated but it fits into that tea rooms feel. They offer a good selection of cakes and pastries. They also serve some food like sandwiches, pannis and baked potatoes. The staff are very friendly and the service is good. Prices are reasonable, thoug may be a bit higher due to it being Salcombe. Though when looking out across the estuary onto the sea whilst enjoying scones this can easliy be forgiven
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Upper Crust
10 Nov 07, 13:04
fresh bread...
The Upper Crust has recently been refurbished and looks much better for having been done so. They are no able to cope much more with the heavy demand over high season. Having said this they still get very busy in the morning and if you want fresh croissants you ll have to make sure you get into town at a good time. The Upper Crust has a wide variety of bread products. They do you re average loaf to pizza slices and of course the cornish pastie. The bread is all very yummy. They also do some nice sweet pastries, though it is a shame they dont do more things like this. It is a bit more expensive but you expect to pay more to know that the bread has been freshly made on the premises that day. The staff are friendly too! A good bakery.
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Review of Salcombe Holiday Homes
10 Nov 07, 12:58
helpful holidays...
Salcombe Holiday Homes is probably THE place to look if you are wanting to stay in Salcombe. They pretty much have the area dominated. They have offices in Salcombe situated by the ice cream factory. Here you can go in and checkout their brochure which has a comprehensive listing of all the accomodation on offer. You can also chat to the staff and see what they have available. Places in Salcombe book up quickly especially in high season so its always best to get in touch with Salcombe Holiday Homes early on. My family has used Salcome Holiday Homes for years and have never had any problems with them. The staff are friendly and know what the houses they have on their books well and are able to give good advice about the right place for your stay. The accommodation is always ready on arrival and cleaned to a high standard. Salcombe Holidays Homes offer a good service
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Review of Fortescue Inn
10 Nov 07, 12:51
nothing special...
This pub isnt bad but its not great either. It is very typically pub like inside and does have quite a cosy feel to it. During the day they serve lunch. The food isnt the best, I had the burger and it was very greasy and not that good. At lunchtime the place is full of locals, esp workmen having a "break". Sometimes it can feel a bit like youre encroaching. On the plus side they do have snooker table and an area oustide to eat and drink. They also serve dinner in a restaurant type area. It can get quite busy and its propbably best to book. Again, the food isnt the best and you can probably find nicer places to eat elsewhere in Salcombe. But if you just want pub style food and pub prices this isnt bad.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Victoria Inn
10 Nov 07, 10:23
Friendly pub...
This is a nice pub situated right in the middle of Salcombe "high street". It is as you would expect of a pub inside, and is very inviting. They serve food during the day and have a more seperate restaurant area upstairs. If you get the right table upstairs you can get a lovely view overlooking the estuary. The food is quite good and of a reasonable price. The staff are friendly and full of local knowledge. This pub is probably a good mix of local and tourist. There is also a beer garden situated at the back of pub. Overall, a nice place to spend an afternoon
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Chattels
07 Nov 07, 22:40
a lovely shop...
This is a very nice shop with all sorts of homeware and kitchenware. From candlesticks to large hanging metal lamps. This shop has a nice beach side feel to it, think lots of stained wood and rope. The shop is quite expensive but this is to be expected of Salcombe, plus all the stock is of a high quality. They also have a stand of some very nice jewellery which is mainly glass beaded. The lady who owns this shop is very friendly. This is another lovely Salcombe shop
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Review of Funky Monks
06 Nov 07, 21:42
vintage clothing...
Funky monks is quite a small vintage shop situated at the top end of Canterbury high street. It offers a good range of men and womenswear. There is also a nice selection of clothing from different eras. I have got some really nice 60's dresses from here. The lady who owns the shop is friendly and helpful. Prices are ok and no worse than many of the other vintage shops around. This shop also stocks pieces for fancy dress and has some good shoes and accessories too. I have to say this is quite a nice little vintage shop and is worth checking back often as they do get new stuff in regularly.
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Review of The Sugar Boy
06 Nov 07, 21:34
sweet paradise...
This is an old fashioned sweet shop stacked to the brim with sweets you havent seen for years, such as (for my genertaion) kola kubes and sherbert pips. There are also sweets that older generations will re-call. They also sell more current sweets such as jelly beans. There is so much to choose from you'll spend a good time picking. The Sugar Boy also has its own claim to fame as it provided much of the sweets for the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This is such a quaint shop and theres something so nostalgic about seeing your sweets meausured out on the scales. This place can get quite busy as it is ideally situated right next to the Kings School entrance, so theres lots of kids popping in to get their sugar fix. Plus you get a good share of tourists who are lured in by the old fashioned shop fronting. Prices are obviously dependant on weight so remember not to get too carried away!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Vintage Living
06 Nov 07, 21:14
vintage living...
This is a pretty little shop at the top of Totnes. It stocks beautiful vintage style home ware. Many of the pieces look as if they have been taken from a french country home. The shop carries a wide selection of item varying from chairs to candles and other nic nacs. The staff here are very friendly and welcoming. The prices are quite high but they do fit in with what is being sold and the Totnes area. This is a lovely presented shop and is worth perusing
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Review of Paperworks Totnes
06 Nov 07, 21:04
Cards galore...
This is a retailer of handmade and unusual papers for art, craft, decorative and display uses; personal stationery, greetings cards and giftwrap; recycled paper, card and envelopes. There is also a wide range for making your own cards. They also sell handmade photograph albums and journals. What I like most about this shop is that it has some beautiful cards and unusual wrapping paper. It is a nice place to go to get some bits ans pieces for an up-coming birthday. The staff are also very friendly; a nice little shop
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Lawsons Of Totnes
06 Nov 07, 20:28
kitchenware emporium...
Lawson's are the leading independent retailers of kitchenware and ironmongery in the south west of England. They also supply tools, linens, in fact all you need to make your home beautiful. They sell top of the range kitchenware, such as professional kitchen knifes right down to your average cookie cutters. Prices vary depending on the type of product you are buying, this shop is not extortionate. So if you need something for the kitchen this is the best place to look
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Sugar Boy
06 Nov 07, 20:21
sweets for the stars...
This is an old fashioned sweet shop stacked to the brim with sweets you havent seen for years, such as (for my genertaion) kola kubes and sherbert pips. There are also sweets that older generations will re-call. There is a wide selection of fine chocolates including luise handmade and lidt! Plus plenty of fudge, biscuits, sticks of rock and well all sorts of yummy sweet things. There is so much to choose from you'll spend a good time picking. The Sugar Boy also has its own claim to fame as it provided much of the sweets for the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This is such a quaint shop and theres something so nostalgic about seeing your sweets meausured out on the scales. This place can get busy in the summer but if you ve got a bit of a sweet tooth its definetly worth a visit.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Winking Prawn
05 Nov 07, 23:08
cafe by the sea...
The Winking Prawn is situated right by north sands and is close to the beach as you can get. This is a good place to get a snack or lunch if you are spending the day on the beach. Though be warned in high season this place is packed pretty much all day. There is seating outside as well as in. They serve a variety of food, including baguettes and sandwiches. The food is alright, nothing out of this world, but for the amount of people they are serving the food is pretty good. They have a good system of ordering in order to make sure you get your food in decent time. This place is great for families and even offers a dressing up box to keep the kids entertained whilst you wait for your order. There is also a large area of grass nearby which is also good for the little ones to run off some energy. There are events run during high season such as bbq's in the evenings. I have never tried out their evening menu but have not heard anything bad about it. All in all this is a nice place and a good place to stop even if its just for a cup of tea to get you through the walk up the hill to south sands
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Review of Revivals
05 Nov 07, 22:51
vintage threads...
This place is full of vintage clothing. It ranges from really nice pieces to others that are probably best for dressing up or some sort of a 70's theme night. The main reason I go to this shop is the shoes. There is a good range of womens vintage shoes. Well there used to be actually, it seems to have gone down a bit of late. You used to be able to get some great Shellys shoes for a fraction of the price. This is still a nice little shop and it is worth while to keep checking back as they get new things in quite regularly. The lady who runs the store is very helpful and friendly. And sometimes shes able to offer you a discount, esp if you re buying two pairs of shoes or something. So its can be worth asking if she can lower the price as it has worked in my favour a couple of times
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Review of Fred Perry
05 Nov 07, 21:53
Fred Perry on the cheap...
This is a great place to come if you cant usually afford some of the more expensive ranges of Fred Perry. There is a good deal of old collections that are now discounted. The prices are usually good and worth buying. They stock both men and womenswear. They do alot of the classic pique shirts as well as some more fashion forward pieces. There is also sportswear and well a bit of everything really. I really like this store and its the first place I look in when I go to the Ashford outlet as its got some real bargains.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Cuban
03 Nov 07, 22:23
Cuban...
The Cuban is a bar and restaurant. I have just been here for drinks but have only ever heard positive things about the restaurant and food. The bar area above the restaurant is very good. It is relaxed and modern with a cuban feel to it. There is even Cuban news playing on tv's in the bar. They serve a wide choice of drinks and cocktails. I can reccommend the Cosmopolitans which are particularly intoxicating. Drinks however are quite pricey compared to some other places in Canterbury. I would reccomend this as a place to start your evening out.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Sixty Million Postcards
03 Nov 07, 11:12
Great improvement...
This is a place that I always remember as 'Edward's' which was rubbish, so I probably should move on from that. Newly re-invented as Sixty Million Postcards, on my first viewing since the fancy new signs went up, I have to say I like what they've done with the old girl. The name fits in well with the indie scene they are aiming for, and is very apt for a seaside town, so far so good. The decor is much better than its previous alias, and the revamped menu also an improvement. The music selection is wide-ranging, but mostly of an indie ilk. Having only been there once, I can't say it's my favorite place to go for an evening out, but I'm sure I will go there again. Great place to start off the evening, but not a place where nights become legendary.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Consortium Bar
03 Nov 07, 11:10
Good music...
In recent years, I have found going out for a few drinks in Bournemouth more of a chore than a pleasure. One cannot move for scores of girls out on hen nights, guys out on stag nights, anyone and everyone throwing up in the street, policemen on horseback attempting to look threatening, overpriced drinks, cheesecore music; the sorry list is endless. To me this all equals one thing: a huge headache. However, if I am going out, I most often will turn to the Consortium. The Consortium's roots lie as a skate-wear shop (which still exists further up Richmond Hill, for all you sk8r bois out there), but don't let that put you off (haha). The music is almost always good, playing just the right mix of oldskool, hiphop and funk that everyone is having a great time. For all those that loved Jazz Juice at the Showbar, it seemed a natural transition for that popular club night to move here if anywhere. A must for the diaries every month. The drinks prices here are also reasonable, with offers on most weekends. They also always have a healthy supply of my shot of choice: sambuca, which gives it a huge thumbs up from me.
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Review of Landmarc
03 Nov 07, 11:07
Great venue...
One of Bournemouth's newest venues to make,waves,! (Get it? Oh come on, it's a seaside town!), Landmarc has swiftly become a success due to its unique angle of what it describes as,restaurant theatre,. Basically this means that you can eat and be entertained! at the same time! Fancy! Not such an original idea, but at Landmarc it is done with aplomb. A lot of this has to do with the actual venue itself: they have revamped and upholstered a hardly used church just by The Square into a stunning backdrop for an evening experience. Whilst dining in the (grade-II, darling!) listed building, one can be an audience for a variety of shows, depending on what night you have chosen to visit. The regular,Comedy Store, is extremely popular, as are the copious amounts of tribute acts that perform here. If that is your thing, here is the place to experience it. I personally prefer to frequent of a lunchtime when they have a thoroughly reasonable two courses for a tenner offer on, and the space can be admired in the daylight.
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Review of Clobber
03 Nov 07, 11:05
Vintage stitches...
For more vintage stitches than you can shake a stick at, take a trip to Clobber. This is easy enough to do as it is located just mere yards from Pokesdown train station. One of the better vintage clothing stores that Bournemouth has to offer, their specialty is 1950s and 60s gear. I like this shop because you don't have to hunt hard for a gem, nearly every piece can be imagined on a superstar of the day: think Twiggy and Jackie O. It is not unusual to find vintage designer amongst the rails as well, and prices are not extortionate, starting from as low as a tenner. Well worth the trip just out of the town centre for a trove of fashionable delights from days of yore
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Review of Pinocchio
03 Nov 07, 11:03
cheesy atmosphere, good food...
For simple, cheap, kitsch 70's Italian restaurant fare head to Pinocchios. Pinocchios has been a Bournemouth staple up atop Poole Hill for at least twenty-odd years now. I don't know anyone who hasn't eaten there at least once. (FYI - there is another branch in Christchurch, Bournemouth's prettier, more chillaxed sister.) The food is very reasonable, yet tasty. The portions are what my Nan would call,healthy, so you get a lot for your money, and the staff are friendly, Italian ex-pat stereotypes,Mamma Mia!, and,Ciao Bella!, central. Not the chicest place around, but great fun, particularly on birthday's when they crank up the crackly Italian,Happy Birthday, LP. Yes, LP, I wasn't kidding about the 70's
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Reel Cinema
28 Oct 07, 22:40
The reel deal...
The Reel Cinema is really quaint and a refreshing change from the huge multiplexes. The screens are small and dont hold a huge amount of people but I quite like that. The seating is comfortable and the decor is ok. Dont expect to see films as soon as they are released here, it is deepest darkest devon after all. A good thing about the reel cinema is that the popcorn is really cheap! I wouldnt come here if you want the big screen experience; however, I would come here if you want to help a local cinema and watch a film in a different more unique environment.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Salcombe Delicatessen
28 Oct 07, 22:19
Deli-cious...
This is a good Deli and offers a wide range of yummy food. There are cheeses, olives, meats, pasties and lots more. There also lots of naughty treats such as biscuits and chocolates. As well as this they make sandwiches and baguettes with various different fillings. This makes it a good place to stop off to get a picnic before going to the beach. And in fact my family always gets plain baguettes for lunch from here rather than any of the other places in Salcombe (the upper crust) as their bread is much tastier. There is also a range of ready meals which are made by a Deli in Kingsbridge especially for the Salcombe deli. So if you dont feel like cooking this is a good place to look, because as you may know there are very few grocery stores in Salcombe. The deli offers and quick and friendly service.
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Review of The Ferry Inn Salcombe
28 Oct 07, 21:52
Beautiful view...
All those who have been to Salcombe before will know just how pretty it is, and one of the best places to enjoy the view is in the Ferry Inn garden enjoying a drink. Situated overlooking the estuary you can watch the coming and goings of the ferry taking visitors to the beach on the other side. There is lots of seating and some of it is covered which is good in the summer if you want to escape the sun. The Ferry is a very friendly pub and has a nice mix of locals and tourists. The Ferry is also a good place to get lunch, they do a nice range of "light bites" or more substantial meals. It can get quite busy during high seasonal but the service is still of a good standard. The Ferry does have an indoors eatting area for the evening and a downstairs bar. All in all this is one of the best places to hang out in Salcombe and it is always a nice buzzing place and in a great location.
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