The Kings Arms, Sandford-On-Thames

This was our second visit, but the first try of the menu. We very pleased with the service and the quality of the food. Food prices were reasonable too.

Next time we are that way I am sure we will call again.

Alan M from Colchester (Unverified), 06/06/12

We arrived today at 1.30pm staff very friendly, food served in good speed without being rushed. Staff attentive without being intrusive. Will go again.

RoddyR (Unverified), 04/02/12

I hadn't been here for a few years as my previous experience was one of waiting and queuing, but I decided to give it another go. Unfortunately, nothing has changed. However busy it gets, there are never more than two bar staff serving drinks and they are painfully slow. Buying a drink involves standing in a queue which can literately stretch out of the door for at least twenty minutes, sometimes more.

And as only about two-thirds of outside tables were occupied, how bad would it be if they were really busy? The food service also took forever. When the food finally arrived it wasn't bad, but nothing special.

It's such a shame because the pub is in a lovely location and there is huge potential, but they seem to think it is perfectly acceptable to expect their customers to spend half their time queueing.

sdh66 (Unverified), 04/10/11

It seems that new management has taken over and it shows...great services and good food, my family and I had a great time...will be trying the quiz on Monday night.

ramsesthefourth (Unverified), 02/04/11

As well as first class food the quiz night on a Monday is a real treat. Good cash prizes, tough questions and good beer. What more can you ask for a night out with friends

Johnny Wizz (Unverified), 08/02/11

Two feet of snow and still fabulous food - fresh and tasty and the treacle toffee pudding with custard was to die for! Good range of vegetarian options as well as those for the carnivore. Staff quiet but polite and efficient.

Speciality nights: Veggie Wednesdays, Curry Thursdays and Fish Fridays.

The Poet Laura-eate (DI User), 20/12/10

Recently changed management again and for the better... Good service, food was great and reasonably priced. Good atmosphere inside.

I enjoyed my visit and will go back wih family again.

Andy (Unverified), 29/09/10

Go to this pub for the location (on a sunny afternoon/early evening you can't go wrong sitting by the river) and a cold drink - NOT the food. These people don't care very much about good service but they can't screw up drinks very much so go here for that.

Ben (Unverified), 31/05/10

I absolutely agree! It is so disappointing that a pub which was originally friendly and served decent food has gone so down hill. I have been overcharged for drinks & given ridiculously small portions (especially the so called meze) and when I did complain - politely, was told 'these things happen'. The salads if you can call them that are usually limp and contain a few cherry tomato halves with a few leaves of lettuce. If they are not careful they will join the rest of the closed down pubs filling the country at the moment. Such a shame.

RedCharlie (Unverified), 16/04/10

My friends and I made an attempt to enjoy the last of the Sunday sun two weeks ago by making a bee-line for the nearest picturesque pub that served food and a variety of ales. The Kings Arms in Sandford, a pretty pub set by the river, fit the bill on all counts and due to its good reputation we had no reservations at the prospect of spending the last of our weekend’s cash there.

How reputation can carry over substance! We were sorely disappointed with the food and service; when ordering we were met by a barman whose patience and courtesy was obviously waning with the late afternoon sun. The food itself, 3 burgers and a veggie pasta (the only vegetarian option available on the menu that day) was a bit Little Chef. That is to say, the Little Chef before Heston Blumenthal got his sizeable paws on it to make it appear sexy to media-darling B and C listers.
The pasta was undercooked, the meat in the burgers was distinctly unimpressive, the salad was dry and the bread cheap. Only the drinks were fine, no complaint there.

We left swiftly and unsatisfied. In true British style, without complaint. Very Little Chef of us.

Bluebell Brown writes... (DI User), 16/04/09