Pettifers Freehouse Hotel

Great staff, great downstairs with great bar and garden and good choice of beers, wines and spirits. Downside; noisy plumbing. When toilet flushed pipes 'sang' for many minutes. Had absolutely no hot water for two night stay. Shower was just a trickle. On check-out mentioned lack of hot water. Response; "hotel is very full so that's why there was no hot water" I'm not happy to pay £110 a night - regardless of how great the staff and breakfast was - to hear that as an excuse. It's 2024, not 1954. Sadly, cannot recommend or will return - in spire of great staff, bar and breakfast.

Weird dining experience! Room was ok and clean

Very friendly staff

Pros: The owners (I think) were very friendly and attentive. Cons: Other staff members were not helpful. One of them stank of alcohol at 9am when we came for breakfast. When asked for a high chair this staff member came back with one that was covered in grime and dirt, without any awareness of its state (we were the only guests with a baby so no idea how long it had festered in that condition). The breakfast on a weekend is advertised as a widely varying buffet between 8-10am. We arrived at 9 to see that it was barely stocked. A few cold sausages, bacon and some cold scrambled eggs... We were left looking for staff to ask where the rest was, could we get butter or condiments, etc. Nothing was ready - apparently they were understaffed that weekend. Half an hour would elapse before we got to sit down and eat the cold food. Even the coffee was a pot of instant because no one could work the real coffee machine! The building and rooms require a lot of modernisation, but our rating doesn't relate to this. Our rating of the condition/cleanliness relates to the torn lino bathroom floor, the cracked bathtub(!), hairs in the bed, and the cobwebs on the bathroom ceiling! I'm not sure what the normal price is for hotels in this area, I realise there isn't much choice, but we felt that it was overpriced for the stay and experience we had. We won't be coming back...

We stayed for just one night (party of 6 in 3 double rooms) to celebrate my son’s 18th birthday. The hotel reception bar and dining area is spacious, comfortable and full of character. As it is an old building, there are a few stairs and narrow corridors which add to the charm of the building. Our rooms were all clean, with very comfortable beds. The breakfast was extremely well cooked and there was plenty of it. The best thing for me was the attitude of the staff. They were extremely warm and welcoming and we would (and will) return in the future without hesitation. If you are looking for a friendly country hotel warmth and character, this is it. If you are looking for high tech, minimalist living, this isn’t for you.

This is a quaint family run business I would say that it absolutely is it’s selling point - the family and waitering staff treat you like part of their joyous family Nothing is too much Everyone is made to feel special Laughter rings throughout the hotel Breakfast is very filling and fresh They have a new Asian restaurant and the food is beautiful - I really recommend the railway tiffin We used the wheelchair accessible room which did what it said on the tin! About ready for new lick of paint but clean and lots of room , so still deserves 5 stars Thankyou so much for a lovely stay team