Review by Diane Bond on 10th November, 2009

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Visited for the first time after new management. Was beginning to despair of the place but the food was excellent. Menu very restricted but they are refurbishing so we were told. To be hopes that they take it back to its original traditional decor that that date of inn deserves and not all this "eclectic" half and half effect. Cant wait till the new menu, staff were spot on as well. Thank goodness its the most unique beautiful setting.

Date visited: 8 Nov 2009

Review by John Strand on 5th October, 2009

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A warm welcome from a new management team, and the best Sunday lunch I've had in ages. Tasty mushroom soup with the option of additional pheasant, followed by delicious well cooked rare roast beef and all the trimmings, and cauliflower cheese that I could have just had on its own for lunch. The plum crumble to follow was excellent with firm sweet fruit and a really crunchy topping served with wonderful custard. Well cooked food, keen staff and we didn't spend a fortune, we'll be back!!

Date visited: 4/10/09

Review by Emma on 24th September, 2009

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We popped into the Bells of Peover and decided to stay for a light lunch. The food was nicely presented and very tasty. Staff were friendly and the service was fairly quick considering how busy it seemed. The menu was small and made up of mostly English favourites. The menu did state that it was a reduced menu as they are under new management and refurbishing the place. A promising start, and I will definitely visit again.

Date visited: 22/09/2009

Review by Graham Rogers on 14th September, 2009

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Called at the Bells on a Saturday lunch time. We were on a walk and decided to stop for lunch. There were 6 of us and we had a very nice meal which was served promptly - it was freshly done too. We all thought it was a very pleasant experience and were surprised at the poor reviews posted previously. The pub was busy as they had a wedding party in so I can highly recommend a visit. Graham.

Date visited: 5th September 2009

Review by Barbara Potter on 8th August, 2009

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Lovely evening and used to eat at Bells quite often over the years - USED to be the best - We have tried a couple of times recently and have decided to give up!! The fish pie I ordered (and I would say I am a good cook) was terrible. It tasted as tho' it was made the day before and then warmed up, with NO sauce insight ugh, sent it back and it came with same pie but filled in with some sort of sauce, warmed up again, RUBBISH!! needless to say we didn't pay for it. The Pasta with vegatables ,y friend had was nearly as bad. They need to hget there act together QUICK - restaurant was empty...... Go to Golden Pheasant at Plumley instead, great food!!

Date visited: Friday 7th Aug 09

Review by James Eastern on 2nd July, 2009

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It has now been bouth by Robinsons, who I understand will turn it back into an independent pub.

Review by Mike Olham on 5th May, 2009

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I can only say that my visit to The Bells Peover on Bank Holiday Monday was one of the worst experiences I have had eating out. The recent revamp does loo pretty good but the place is totally let down by poor management. We had to wait for a bar tender to serve us who seemed to be running the kitchen as well as trying to serve several people at the bar. Things went downhill from then on. We were told that there was a slight wait 10-15 minutes for food. No problem that seemed fine. 1 HOUR later thefood arrived stone cold! I suspect It had been overlooked and left sitting in the kitchen going cold. At this point the four of who had ordered were quite frankly fed up with the ordeal. I asked to speak to the manager and a youngish girl arrived (assistant manager as they all are) and was immediately on the offensive saying that it was very busy and we should expect to wait! The place was NOT busy and we were perfectly correct to ask why our food was served cold. At this point we all decided to leave and eat elsewhere. I will not be going back to the Bells of Peover until they get their act together. A good example of how to ruin a nice place with poor management. NIL POINTS!!

Date visited: 4TH MAY 2009

Review by Fairly Local Yokel on 4th May, 2009

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This pub is brilliant and awful at the same time. I doubt you will find a better location for a pub in a month of Sundays. It is almost too perfect with the church and the river and the overgrown graden and cobbles. Really it is beautiful. And the beer is good. But then there is the 'Chef and Brewer' food effect. This pub should be run by an independant local team putting their soul into it. But it is run by some twit in some headoffice somewhere who choose menus by market profiling and 'decor' from a list. It is unloved by Chef and Brewer and feels like 'Another Sunday Carvery' One day, someone will take over The Bells and save it from this abuse. Til then, to avoid disapointment, visit and drink, but don't eat.

Date visited: 01.05.2009

Review by Andy Holmes on 21st September, 2008

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Nothing every changes in this place. To put it bluntly it is a beatiful olde worlde important building in a historic area run by what can be only be described as the worst pub team in the country. The place lacks a warmth. The staff are unhelpful. Bar service, if any is super slow. We have witnessed people walking out. It is a standing joke with the locals to see how many times people complain about the quality or slow delivery of the food. No locals eat there which just about sums it up. We to have walked out and only use the place for a quick drink. Last night was typical bad service with persons complaining, dirty bar and tables outside not cleared for over an hour, We left when the catering staff sat outside usibg foul language. When will the Pub Company sort this place out?

Date visited: 20th September 2008

Review by Jessica on 21st April, 2008

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I recently visited the bells of peover, it was a Friday evening, what a lovely location, I really enjoyed my evening, But that was no thanks to the staff or the service, I think it is safe to say its the staff that let that pub down. I often visit another chef and brewer pub called the axe and clever, the service between the two pubs does not compare. It took over three hours for all two courses to arrive at out table at the bells of peover, but I did enjoy my dinner, Next time I visit the axe and clever I will speak to mike and Julie the managers there, and see if they know how the service is letting the chef and brewer chain down at the bells of peover. The staff were completely oblivious that we had not been served, I even think they mite of been avoiding us. I did enjoy my time there because of the location and food. Even though staff let me down I would go again. And a do recommend the Axe and Clever in Dunham Massey for a brilliant experience. By far the best pub I’ve found yet. Polite staff and organised hands on manager’s mike and Julie. A top class experience.

Date visited: 18/04/2008

Review by Julie Bates on 24th March, 2008

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Read bad reviews and nearly didnt go but glad we did. Location of the restaurant is delightful and well worth a visit. We were concerned that we would be unwelcome with our children, but this was not the case and the childrens food along with ours was excellent. Did take a while for our meals to arrive but we presumed this was because we had to request specially made food for our friend who has allergies. The restaurant was very helpful in catering for our friend and they had obviously made a special effort with her food. We ordered lamb and beef sunday roasts and they were superb. Well cooked, well presented and good portions. My husband commented that it was one of the best 'pub' roasts he could remember having. Praise indeed! On the whole, lovely location, polite, attentive staff, excellent food. Only slight complaint was that I was sat in a draft and was cold and although other radiators were on the one next to me wasnt and when I said I was cold nothing was done. Worth a visit.

Date visited: 23rd March 2008

Review by anna harrison on 9th February, 2008

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i found the bells to be superb it was my first visit and we felt very taken care of all the service was done at the table, all the staff had a smile on their faces. all thought it is a chain i have been to other chef and brewers and the standard of food was much better at the bells of peover. i will be returning. i do recommend this pub to every one!

Review by Dr Kieth Henshaw on 18th November, 2007

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I have fond memories of The Bells of Peover going back many years when it was a top class restaurant. Sadly this memory was completely shattered by the way the current "chain" management has all but ruined the place. On arrival you are met by hideous child like blackboards whch generally set the tone for pathetic way this "chain" pub is now run. I should have guessed that the things were bad by se distinct lack of customers on what should be a busy friday evening. The total lack of barstaff further added to the poor way that things are run.I waited more than five minutes before the barman appeared from the kitchen. Two draught beers were off and I was told that no one had changed the barrel. A new menu was on offer, no doubt the same in all "chef and brewers" and the desciption of the dishes were well described. In reality the glitzy descriptions were clearly written by a marketing geru and not a talented chef. After a long wait, considering there were no more than 6 diners,the food arrived looking very slopy and microwaved and nothing like the anticipated food as so well decribed on the menu. At this point in time the couple next to us got up and walked out having decided to eat elsewhere. We did eat the food and paid in full. That said it was of a very poor standard but priced like a top class eatery and I will definately not be going there again. Other observations are that the place is so dirty and the toilets are disgrace. What a shame that one of Cheshires finest Pub/Restaurants has been allowed to be ruined by brainless managers who must be totally stupid not to expoit the massive potential of the once great place. It will only be a matter of time before the place is forced to change or go bust!

Date visited: 16th November, 2007

Review by james philby on 13th November, 2007

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Oh dear what a mess. The bells has totally lost the plot. Poor service, poor quality and what a dirty place. What was once a top knotch place has gone down beyond all recognition. A chain effect at its worst. I used to be a regular at the Bells when the place was run by dedicated staff and the food was superb. My advice to anyone thinking going there is to avoid it like the plague. Hopefully one day it will return to its former glory!!

Date visited: 4TH NOVEMBER, 2007

Review by nicola gaffney on 19th May, 2007

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NO ASPARAGUS TIPS FOR US - NO TIPS FOR THEM Can only say how disapointed we were with the whole experience. The pub apeared dirty and two of our party are allergic to cats - and there were two cats in the main restaurant sitting on unoccupied chairs - we went to the bar to order a drink and it took around 15 minutes for it to arrive - we oredered from the summer menu and all went for the chicken and asparagus with lemon mayonnaise - which looked devine on the next table - how wrong we were - ours arrived much smaller than the diner at the next table and not one of us got a spear of asparagus - we all got 4 or 5 stalks!!!! We did complain but no apology was given or any explanation either - a little clue though the next table were onto their main courses and with the arrival of the food so did the chef! When another party left the pub - one of the cats jumped up onto the table and started to eat the left overs off the plates it was having a field day - how disgusting. Is this allowed by Health Inspectors? As we didn't get any tips - we didn't leave any!!!! Our tip to you - don't go..........

Date visited: 17 May 2007

Review by Caroline on 11th April, 2007

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The main problem with the whole meal was it took 2.5 hrs from arriving at the pub to getting our main course. On Easter Sunday we had a really disappointing family meal. My sister called in advance (that day) to check that they could cater for a vegetarian who has a lactose allergy - (annoying I know I am!) but usually in today's world most places can accommodate. The said they could and so she booked. The booking was for 7pm. When we arrived it was busy as usual around the bar, so we managed to talk to a friendly waitress in the restaurant to find our table. She asked for 5 minutes we gave her 10 whilst we had a drink at the bar. When we went to sit down the tables still weren't laid. We could see that she was working her socks off but the sheer number of covers she had were too many. We sat and waited for a long time, eventually our orders were taken, the waitress was very pleasant, especially going to ask the chef about certain ingredients in some meals, she did her best. I was then told if there was something on the menu they could adapt they would so I asked for the avocado salad without the prawns, and the bed of roasted vegetables and some charlotte potatoes (without the fish). The salad was ok, as was everyone's else starters which could be described as average. For the mains they sent out the wrong meal for my sister, (by which time we didn't even bother to explain they had it wrong she just ate it) for my meal instead of getting the roasted vegtables the chef had the audacity to send out a plate of half cooked chips and 4 slices of courgettes and some green beans as a main meal, saying that was all they could do the waitress was clearly embrassed and said they wound't charge for the it. I know it was Easter Sunday, but if you say you can accommodate then please do so!! There are loads of other lovely places to eat nearby who are more than happy to. Regardless of the dietary requests this meal was really poor, the tables around us had similar experiences, and were also disappointed some refused to pay. A lovely place to go for a drink in a lovely location and beer garden, but if your planning to eat order 3 hours before your hungry!

Date visited: 08/04/07

Review by James Branford on 27th December, 2006

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This used to be a superb pub and restaurant. Sadly the "chain" effect has now reduced it to a shadow of its former self. The extremely tacky Chef and Brewer brand leaves nothing to the imagination. Service was rubbish. The food was no better than average and the place is so disgustingly dirty it should be closed down. What a great example of how to ruin a once very good establishment. We used to go there to celebrate special ocassions but now it does not even deserve a second chance. Overall one of the worst pubs in Cheshire. Nothing more than a tacky fast food joint

Date visited: 22nd December, 2006

Review by David on 6th September, 2005

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A lovely location and great food but they seem to be running it very lean these days with regards to staff. Those around do their best but it is always understaffed at lunch times. I don't mind waiting a while but it is now always too long and I always find myself having to prod them to bring the next course. This shouldn't be necessary. Maybe whoever runs it is relying on the history and location to keep custom but you can only stretch that so far. If the basics are wrong it doesn't matter how pretty the scenery, people will go elsewhere. A real shame, the beancounters seem to have taken over yet another once classy eatery.

Date visited: 6th September 2005