The Black Bull Inn - Balsham

While there were some small disappointments, I decided to communicate them directly with the hotel rather than mentioning them here. I hope they consider making the necessary changes. The room and bed were comfortable. One suggestion for improvement would be to expand the menu to include a wider selection of meat and fish options, rather than just focusing on beef. Additionally, having an external courtesy light for safety, particularly during icy conditions, would be advantageous.

My family went to this restaurant for lunch to celebrate the head of our family's birthday. The restaurant was pleasant and clean, but we were disappointed by the high prices. We felt that paying £32 for a steak that was served in strips with just a few chips and minimal accompaniments was unreasonable. The fish was also dry and the chocolate roulade was sliced too thin. On top of that, we had to wait a long time for just three hot drinks. Overall, our experience was very disappointing and we do not intend to dine there again.

Great food and lovely staff. Awful family with lots of kids aged around 8-10 that ran around the restaurant, past our table almost constantly playing chase, somewhat spoiled the visit. We had to change tables to avoid them and the shrieking was really dreadful. After moving tables to a different area we really enjoyed it. The food was amazing and the strawberry soufflé was to die for. It would have been nice if the manager had intervened and had a word with the parents as their behaviour was completely unacceptable. I don’t like complaining and it made me rather uncomfortable having to do so. Other customers were clearly bothered by them and they nearly knocked another elderly gentleman over. On the plus side, it’s a beautiful building and the staff are so lovely. The food is fab and I would recommend it to everyone

We visited for Sunday lunch and really enjoyed the food and the attentive service as well as that it is dog friendly as well. My starter was the goats cheese salad, it was done very well and attractively presented with a mustard, honey balsamic dressing; which really delivered the sweet/salty and slightly acidic flavour that complemented the goats cheese. I followed this with the roast beef. The beef was wonderfully tender, rare-medium that I like, with plentiful gravy, root vegetables (parsnips and carrots), cauliflower cheese and roast potatoes. The potatoes were beautifully done, obviously cooked in lots of fat that made them wonderfully buttery on the inside but still crisp on the outside. My wife had the crab salad as a starter followed by the roast duck. She likes her duck well done, rather than rare, and commented that it was just right; being succulent and not allowed to go dry which can be the case when she has ordered this dish elsewhere. Clearly there is a talented chef at work here. My portions were a good size and the staff were attentive without being intrusive. We will certainly be coming back.

Two of us spent the night here on 10th July. We had returned to the UK after a 3 week trip around Europe. We had a room of good size but very average. The tea making facilities were in the wardrobe and there was no hair drier. We also had dinner in the pub. This is a pub trying to be something above its station. The pub is said to have been awarded rosettes over the years but I imagine that was some time ago as the meal we had was way below expectations. The rump of lamb was very tender but tasteless accompanied by over roasted potatoes wrapped in mange tout. The wine list had wonderful descriptions which hid the truth. The Chilean Merlot was far from outstanding but below average. The price for dinner bed and breakfast was 258. In all the hotels we stayed in around Europe , this was the worst value at the highest price.