Paul H.

Review of Diggerland Theme Parks

30 May 08, 22:22

one visit

only went to Digger land once and that was about 6 years ago. To be honest i wouldnt go back.

Firstly you pay to get in. You get £10 worth of "tokens" to spend inside.

Each ride \\ event \\ skill game costs you 3 tokens. So a family of 4 immediataly has to buy more tokens for every one to have a go on one thing ,,, bit of a rip off.

The plus , is that its a great idea. You get to be a kid again, the kids loved it ... but make sure you take PLENTY of money, the entrance fee hardly covers anything.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Presto Retail

30 May 08, 13:30

hate Presto

the word rip off come to mind ... I hat e even contemplating going here to eat. The pasties look tempting enough, the smell is lovely and the fillings enticing, Spicey Curry Flavour, Ordinary meat and veg, parsnip(!). BUT 1) they are blinking expensive £3.75 for a pasty is disgusting and 2) once you have chewed a couple of mouth fulls of stodgy ,crusty pastry .. hunt the dollop of filling.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Odeon Cinema

29 May 08, 19:18

oh dear

the fact that this place is inside the Butlins complex SHOULD give you some idea what to expect.

Ive treid to go to this cinema twice and on both occasions it was closed!

I give up, best to drive to Taunton

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Pontins

22 May 08, 23:27

disgusting

we booked a family room. took 2 hrs to book in. eventually found the room, curtains hanging off the windows, bed sheets dirty, pillow cases smelled of being used. called reception on the broken phone. foreign maid delivered clean bedsheets . we went to the local rip off over expensive shop bought cleaning fluid, cloths etc. cleaned room. so all ready for our holiday.... not a good start. wont mention the carpet in the bar, or the uncooked restaurant food, or the dog poo in the kids sandpit

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of 10 Downing Street

22 May 08, 17:04

great disappointment

my kids wanted to see there the Prime Minister lived ... so we made a special trip to Number 10. Unlike when I was a kid, you can no longer get any where near the frnt door. Armed guards at huge gates at the end of the street prevent you from even getting a glimpse. How things have changed in 20 yesrs. I remember having my photo taken with the cop on the door when I was in my teens!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Lets Go Superbowl

17 May 08, 21:55

disgrace

this lame excuse for a bowling alley has been open for about 15 years. It hasnt changed in all that time. It looks dated, the machines are unreliable and the staff dont give a hoot. I bet you havent had a game there when the machine hasnt broken down. 9 times out of 10 , you cant actually keep score as the machinery fails and it has to be re set. AVOID at all costs. The lazer shooting is just as bad - if not worse

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Barnstaple Music Centre

17 May 08, 20:11

so when did you reviewer actually go?

What ARE you on about. This shop closed down at Christmas. It was a great shop as described already , but itis no more, it has ceased to exist, its an ex music shop.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Warners UK

17 May 08, 15:26

Bye Bye

Yes Warners has gone . They used to stock end of like GENTS Calvin Kline boxers and briefs too ... which was fab. Sadly the new Camille is only for the girlies!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Braddicks Of Bideford

17 May 08, 14:34

OK I take that back

my previous review was for the bed shop and not the restaurant ... sorry about that but theres no way of cancelling a review!! ANYWAY .. I think this place has actually closed anyway. It used to be called "the Bite" and was excellent but not supported.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of North Devon Farm Park

14 May 08, 23:00

AVOID

what a dreadful place this is. I threaten to take the kids back here if they are naughty!

If this place is still trading, its time health and safety paid a visit.

The out door play equipment was covered in green slime and in need of repair. The in door play area comprised of a barn with random bits of carpet on the floor, a bouncy castle and a ball pool - god knows what might be lurking in there!

I must admit, its about 5 years since we visited, but vowed never to go there again.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Crealy Great Adventure Park

14 May 08, 22:42

Really ??

My kids use Crealy as an example of a bad day out. They were totally bored. we went pre easter and thank goodness the day was a sunny one. The petting zoo was a whole load of everyday farm animals, The ball park looked like it hadnt been cleaned since last season. The cafe was basic and expensive. There wsnt a single thing the kids ( 4 and 7 yrs) enjoyed. We were all bemused at the play area that was half size concrete buildings the kids could go into - sort of half built with nothing in them - well Im guessing it WAS a play area?? If i need to keep the kids in line, I threaten to take then back to Crealy - they soon fall in line.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Butlins

14 May 08, 22:17

you will leave disappointed and broke

this whole ethos of Butlins is to fleece people of as much money as they can. entry price to this hell hole is extortionate. once inside the only thing that is free, is the swimming pool. the rest, wall climbing, ten pin bowling, go-carting, fair rides, "test your skill" games, all COST EXTRA! The food is just a series of over priced burger bars and pizza parlours . Every inch of space is occupied by slot machines and electronic ways to part you with your money .... some thing you need to do to keep the kids from being bored .. there really isnt any thing else for them to do.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bay Trading Co

14 May 08, 13:30

unhelpful

If this place was jam packed with nice clothes, or great designer names, I guess the staff would have cause to look down at you . However, the clothes are NOT nice and the any brands u might find are better suited to a marked stall. Sorry the staff are just plain rude.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Mounts Bay Trading Co

14 May 08, 13:06

Now closed

Sadly a great little shop has bitten the dust. It closed down about 2 weeks ago .. noit that you would know, as the location was so bad and thats probbaly why !

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Suits You

11 May 08, 21:32

gone ...another one

did they not see that naming a shop after the catch phrase of a couple of seedy characters in a comedy show would fail? Who wants to pay high prices for a nice suit that comes from a shop that conjours up visions of seedy gay shop assistants measuring ur inside leg and touching your tackle ... doomed from day one!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Nicklebys

11 May 08, 21:29

Another failed business

Shame about this, it was the only decent shop for men at this ailing shopping centre. So many shops last 6 months or less, surely its time to have some big names at AV??

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Kangaroo Poo

11 May 08, 21:22

GONE

I used to love this feaux surf shop .. pretending to be a surfers paradise, but actually was just a nice "cool" clothes shop. I'll miss it.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Atlantis Recreation Play Area

11 May 08, 21:10

warning to parents

Unless its changed dranatically in the last year, I would like to take issue with the last review. " parents can drop ... shop in peace". No you cant as everything has to be paid for and when we went there was no staff there except to collect the money. Gold panning, Gold, maze all have to be paid for. that only leaves the pirate ship play area which is now looking tired and un cared for. As for the body bouncers, this is just another way to get parents to shell out more cash. avoid.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Presto Retail

11 May 08, 20:57

Suse has too much money!

This is the most over rated chain of pasty shops ever. Its over priced and total bad value for money. No matter what its stuffed with £3.75 is scandelous for a damn pasty - how can anyone justify charging that. £3 for a hot chocolate is a joke - its NEVER hot, tepid at best. The staff are kids who dont care at the best of times. A total rip off .. but at Atlantic village you;'re trapped, there's no where else to grab a snack.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Ganges

11 May 08, 20:26

Bloody aweful

I too had a few bad experiences in here. Im not sure how Indian food is prepared but i got an insite when a group of us went for a meal , my partner ordered Chicken Korma. Surprise when she tucked in to find it was just Korma .... no actual chicken in it at all. Another time, did a take away, she had Chicken korma again. Got container home and this time there WAS chicken .. in a white sauce, so no Korma, just a basic tasteless white sauce. Once bitten Twice Shy

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Ilfracombe Launderette

11 May 08, 20:12

this place is dreadful

Only ever used it the once. Felt immediately intimidated by the crowd of fag smoking kids hanging around outside ( and some inside). The machines are old, the "shop" is dirty and looks like it hasnt had anyone use it for ever. its rubbish. avoid.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Braddicks Of Bideford

08 May 08, 13:48

CLOSED

another one bites the dust ... used to be a premier bed shop but the big chains have killed off another local family run shop. I guess they couldnt compete.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Bideford Wines

08 May 08, 13:45

CLOSED

just shows you cant rely on everything ... since Dave L's review .. the place has closed down. I guess the cheap booze from the ever increasing number of supermarkets has taken its toll .. goodbye, local, family owned business.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of FOCUS DIY

08 May 08, 13:22

rubbish

I am disgusted by the service here. I bought a shed, was told to go round the back to collect it. Had no help with loading it. Infact the staff were content to just stand there and smoke their ciggies and watch me struggle get the shed in the van. Then, when i got the thing home ... there were bits missing! AVOID AT ALL COSTS ... i really detest this place

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Presto

02 May 08, 12:53

Disagree with all of you

Sorry but I disagree with all of you. How can anyone justify £3.75 for a standard size pasty? Yes there is a huge selection, but it is such a rip off. £2.50 for a sausage roll thats mainly pastry. Everything about this place is overpriced - crisps. cakes. jams, coffee, pasties.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Sue Ryder Care

30 Apr 08, 13:21

A Charity Shop Should Still Have Standards

I know charity is a bit of a buzz word at the moment, but if they want our money in this day and age, they now have to make some kind of effort. This shop is dirty. Needs a clean and some decent lighting and a lick of paint. Its no longer good enough to stock Max Bygraves LPs with torn covers or 70s floral ladies coats. Take a look at the hospice shops, they are clean, modern and their rails actually have designer clothes.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Moss Pharmacy

30 Apr 08, 12:03

Down Your Nose

Why is it that Moss Pharmacy and LLoyds Pharmacy think they are superior. Sorry if this offends, but staff in this chemist tend to look down their noses at you. All I wanted was some E45 cream but I couldnt remember what its name was. The woman in there made me feel totally stupid.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Cosmi-Cuts

30 Apr 08, 11:59

Is It Still Open?

Im not 100% SURE THIS IS STILL OPEN ...sorry about the capitals .. it certainly should NOT be included in the Chemist section. Its as tacky as a Pound shop. Ends of ranges, almost out of date groceries at cheap prices, unbranded toys, cheap tacky presents. Not a nice shop, infact im sorry now I disrespected the Pound shops by the comparison.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Paramount Chinese Restaurant

30 Apr 08, 11:26

Oh Please Karen H

Karen H ... Have you ever actually been to this dreadful place?? I've given them two chances and they failed misrably both times. First I eat in, my mum suggested we go there one evening. The food was bland and every course tasted the same. I hate plastic table cloths in a restaurant. Second time was for a takeaway, was cold by the time I got it home ( 10 mins drive) and again a brown mush in a tin foil box. Absolute pants.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of High Street Cafe

30 Apr 08, 10:34

Theres much better

Remember the old coffe bars on the late 60s .. no neither do I, but Im sure this is one of them. Its the same decor that you see in old black and white movies. Plastic table cloths, cheap sauce in plastic tomatoes and chipped cups. Avoid, this is not a theme cafe .. its the best they can offer!

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Braddicks Amusement Park

28 Apr 08, 12:48

Theres better

Sorry but this place really does need an over haul. Its dirty, tired and run down ... for goodness sake, change the carpet if nothing else. The state of the building lets the place down and really doesnt make you wanna buy anything from the fast food extention. even if the smell of do nuts and chips is tempting. As for the amusements ... hmmm, they need replacing as well.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Quince Honey Farm

24 Apr 08, 11:58

my kids love it

ok so the kids love this place, but I hate it with a passion. Its a honey farm ... but you try finding any honey in the shop thats locally produced. Honey from all over the world, but couldnt find any from the bees I'd seen hard at work. Sorry, but I felt cheated. See the bees, bumble from huge room to huge room, visit the shop ... all over within 20 mins

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Coffee & Gifts At 72

24 Apr 08, 11:40

I think its gone

I have a feeling this place has now closed down. Although it was a lovely place ( we went there on many an occasion) no one ever really new it was there. I could be totally wrong about it being closed, but I thought I saw a for sale board out side when I drove past recently.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of National Trust

24 Apr 08, 10:22

where

if you find this place, do let me know! I lived in Lynton for 35 years and never knew this place existed .. even the address in a mystery to me .Perhaps its part of some Magical Mystery Tour??

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of The Tuck Box

24 Apr 08, 10:05

another fudge shop

how many sweet shops does lynmouth need. Although this is the first one in the street, its not the best. The surfers behind the counter couldnt care less if you buy or not. The fudge is the same mass produced stuff you can get at any motorway service station. I wasnt impressed.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Corner House

24 Apr 08, 09:52

AVOID

this place hasnt changes since the 70s. it looks like one of those old fashioned caffeterias, all plastic, silver wobbly tables. A bit like queueing up at the school canteen. Basic food, basic drink, nothing special. Lynmouth deserves better.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Exmoor Steam Railway

22 Apr 08, 11:46

its closed!

This was a great local attraction, sadly it closed a few years ago so you will have missed the delights of the Santa Run at christmas and Mrs Miggins Pie Shop

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Westleigh Inn

11 Apr 08, 18:46

never again

we tried, we really tried. First time we went there the food was excellent, sat in the garden, and our kids played on the climbing frame. next time we went there for sunday carvery got there at 12 and it was all gone .... guess they underestimated people would want food from a pub that did food. we couldnt even order from the standard menu. 3rd time we went there at night, most of the food on the menu was actually off that night. Next time we went were offered bags of crisps as the chef was off .... hello!!!! youre a pub that says you do food! Maybe you could phone me when its convenient to come over for some ???

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Minstrels At Hair 2000

11 Apr 08, 18:22

CLOSED

this salon is long gone, infact i think its a clothes shop now so not much chance of getting a cut and blow from the lovely Wendy.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Cheeky Chops

11 Apr 08, 18:16

CLOSED

this was an interesting idea that was doomed from the start. a hairdressers JUST for kids. the place was beautifully furnished with dvd and tv. it opened in a blaze of glory ... on a week when kids were at school. It was open daytimes, when kids were at school and closed part of the weekend, when kids wanted their hair cutting. I only ever got my kids hair done there once ... by the grumpiest, un child friendly woman i have ever met, No wonder it folded.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Toymaster

11 Apr 08, 18:04

shop is now closed

this was one hell of a toy shop. sadly it closed earlier this year which is a real shame as it was the only dedicated toy shop in town

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Banbino's & Beyond

11 Apr 08, 18:01

this shop closed earlier in the year

sadly another local shop bites the dust. no longer in existance. never really saw the point of this place trying to compete to be honest when most parents with young families would (and do) go to the Early Learning Centre

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Upfront Records & Tapes

11 Apr 08, 17:54

this shop is CLOSED

the internet, supermarkets and market stalls successfuly killed this once sucessful business - another local shop driven into the ground. Jim Ling - the owner- is a lovely man, but sadly couldnt fight to keep his business any longer. the shop eventually closed late 2006.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Reptiles Pets & Rs.Co.Uk

11 Apr 08, 17:20

CLOSED DOWN

this shop didnt last long. it closed just after Xmas 07 and rumours of environmental health intervention went round the town. Shame really because they had a huge selection of exotic pets.

HOWEVER if ur after snakes, spiders and bearded dragons look out Value House Aquatics on Severn Brethren Barnstaple. They are fab and look after their pets well and would get **** stars

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Old Custom House

11 Apr 08, 14:06

Family Joke

Now that the strand is potentially closed to cars, how on earth will this place survive?? I would like to say I have been there, but cant as its not in a part of town that people actually visit. such a bad location for an eatery. Infact whenever i have driven past it never seems to be open. As a family we take bets as to wether it EVER does

0 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Enjoy

11 Apr 08, 13:58

Its Closed Down

No wonder it closed. They had no idea ... hot soup in the summer?? whats that about? Only time I went in there the staff were more interested in flicking eachother with rolled up towels and the manager was having his lega waxed. Very nice for a cafe. RIP Enjoy.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Barbrook Service Station

11 Apr 08, 11:25

Avoid

This place was officially the most expensive service station in the UK at one point. I guess thats cos they have a monopoly in this area , the next closest petrol station being 25 miles in either direction. Good grocery store attached tho.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Rac Auto Windscreens

10 Apr 08, 15:18

Oh No They're Not

I was dismayed to find the building closed down when I went there recently. I was in despirate need of a windscreen repair. None of the neighbouring businesses had any idea of where they had gone. You would have though that the RAC would have had new location directions made up and placed in the windows of the now empty building ..NOT HAPPY

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review of Tanmoye Restaurant

10 Apr 08, 12:52

Very Hit n Miss

This place has had about 3 name changes in as many years - but the staff stay the same. The place is huge and it takes a lot of bodies to warm the place up. Great that theres an indian in Lynton - but the food is hit and miss. Sometimes great, mainly bland and tasteless. Worth driving 20 miles to Barnstaple or Minehad instead.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.