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For years this hostelry was notable for its grisly history. It was built on the site of a convent, whose Mother Superior was beheaded. Since the pub went all gastro, a buzzy, sociable vibe has prevailed and any talk of ghostly nuns has subsided. A busy Friday night saw the friendly proprietors working flat-out serving fabulous bar snacks, cocktails and pints by Deuchars, Adnams, Brains and distinguished guest breweries. A wait for the table necessitated a sampling of Hector’s House signature cocktail, a florid and zingy nectar incorporating tequila, triple sec and raspberries. The food menu is brief, unflashy and alluring. Care in presentation and ingredient sourcing was evident and prices are reasonable for the quality. A huge bowl of spicy vegetable soup would have been sufficient for a simple supper alongside our other starter of goat’s cheese bruschetta, topped with caramelised onion slices and surrounded by bright mixed salad leaves. A main of plump cumberland sausage with buttery mash and gravy was textbook winter comfort, a large tuna steak seared with oriental spices was flashed just right to be red inside. Ordering a bowl of fat chips was a shaming display of greed, but a holy treat.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
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For a girl who loves to talk and is never short of something to say, this whole selling yourself is quite tricky. I know everyone says that! In a...
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the old nun's head is a fantastic local. Thank you so much for providing me with somewhere consistently welcoming and enjoyable food and drink. Lovely selection of wines. I attended a wedding and reception there yesterday and it was absolutely fantastic!
Absolutely excellent place. Relaxed, friendly, well kept beer, good wholesome (and huge portioned) food at a reasonable price. Staff are friendly and helpful, even when in a rush - which really helps to make the place.
Plus, they're dog friendly!
This is a great pub to drink in, and is family-friendly too. I have eaten there twice, and have had lovely meals both times. The sunday roast is particularly good.
I'd have to disagree with Lyn Lowenstein's comments. The ONH is at the end of my road and my girlfriend and I eat there every so often. I've never had a bad meal. The roast on Sundays is particularly tasty - as well as being great value. It's not flashy 'gastropub' nonsense, just good hearty food.
The guest ales are a treat, the pub takes all comers and the staff are never snobbish and always friendly. It's got everything a good local needs (and a twin sister down the road who's just as good, if not better!)
Good local pub, with good beers and winelist, but terrible food. Tried it on three separate occasions, both simple and more expensive dishes - real shame, as they have everything going for them. The menu is good, just the cooking is awful! This is certainly not a gastropub at all!