The Cross Keys
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Quick info
About The Cross Keys
The Cross Keys is a British restaurant and pub at 13 High St in Bedford, run by the Meads family since November 1970. Hanging baskets mark the front of the pub, where a traditional bar sits alongside a large marquee eating area. The menu includes steak and ale pie and sticky toffee pudding, with halloumi fries among the starters, and roasts come with gravy and vegetables. A private dining room serves groups, and the large field behind the pub hosts family parties, weddings and corporate events. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · On-site parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Has changing table(s) · High chairs
- DietaryOrganic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, steak and ale pie, sticky toffee pudding and starters value.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, steak and ale pie, sticky toffee pudding and starters value.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast is the most frequent draw at The Cross Keys, with one group praising four roasts and another calling the roast hearty with rich gravy, though one reviewer found it nice but nothing special, with meat they suspected was not cooked on site and a sparse vegetable portion for twelve people. Close behind are the steak and ale pie, the sticky toffee pudding and halloumi fries. Reviewers also describe friendly staff and quick service, with starters arriving fast. The recurring complaint is value: starters are called overpriced, including a small plate of potato skins, and the steak is said to cost more than it is worth. One diner had slow, incomplete drinks and blunt knives that made the roast hard to cut, and another found the haddock had a bad taste. Several note the place is normally full and suggest booking, and a few mention cramped tables and noise once busy. One reviewer returned for a classic car show held for charity.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast is the most frequent draw at The Cross Keys, with one group praising four roasts and another calling the roast hearty with rich gravy, though one reviewer found it nice but nothing special, with meat they suspected was not cooked on site and a sparse vegetable portion for twelve people. Close behind are the steak and ale pie, the sticky toffee pudding and halloumi fries. Reviewers also describe friendly staff and quick service, with starters arriving fast. The recurring complaint is value: starters are called overpriced, including a small plate of potato skins, and the steak is said to cost more than it is worth. One diner had slow, incomplete drinks and blunt knives that made the roast hard to cut, and another found the haddock had a bad taste. Several note the place is normally full and suggest booking, and a few mention cramped tables and noise once busy. One reviewer returned for a classic car show held for charity.
Featured reviews
- Rhion Jones
“Obviously popular lunchtime venue - large marquee made it less atmospheric than your traditional village pub but enables cost-effective cheerful place to meet and eat.”
- Bright star
“Very nice looking pub indeed. Beautiful hanging baskets. Absolutely huge parking area. Good sized eating area, with a front bar, which is lovely and traditional.”
- Gary Boss
“A cracking spot for a proper British meal. I popped in for supper and the whole experience felt warm and well put together, from the friendly welcome to the nicely paced service. The roast was hearty, the gravy rich, and the veg had a pleasing bite rather than being overdone. It’s the sort of place I’d happily use for a relaxed family dinner or a catch-up with mates when you want good food without any fuss. Only slight niggle was that it got a touch noisy once it filled up, but that’s hardly a deal-breaker. All in all, The Cross Keys is a dependable little gem with plenty of charm.”
- Jim Porter
“Sunday roast was nice, but nothing special. Would suggest meat was not cooked on site. Vegetables portion was very sparce, two plates for 12 people.”
- Mike Reay
“Have eaten here a few times before. This was a first time for Sunday lunch. Drinks took a long time to arrive and then only some if drinks arrived. Starters were very poor value. Mains good but knives so blunt difficult to cut roast. Not sure we will be back. Photo of starter. £8.25 fit 2 very small potato skins”
Hours
- Monday
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- Tuesday
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- Wednesday
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- Thursday
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- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Meads family have been running The Cross Keys for over 55 years, the family took over the running of the pub in November 1970 and greatly expanded the food service and their son Paul now runs one of the most popular restaurants in the area with regular community events and with the large field they are a great place for family parties, weddings, corporate events and celebrations!”
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Curbside pickup
- Service options· 1
- Onsite services
- Offerings· 13
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Dining options· 7
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Historic
- Parking· 5
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 7
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 4
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Planning· 2
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Restaurants near The Cross Keys
- Mount Pleasant View4.55515.8 mi away£10–20Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
views over the green, outdoor seating area, full breakfast
- Peri Peri Grill Cottage4.12586.4 mi awayWheelchair accessible
chicken fillet burger, chicken strips, pizza
- East is West4.43266.6 mi awayWheelchair accessible
lamb karahi, mixed grill, naan
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cross KeysOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.5889 | — | £20–30 | sunday roast, steak and ale pie, sticky toffee pudding |
| Mount Pleasant ViewOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.5551 | 5.8 mi away | £10–20 | views over the green, outdoor seating area, full breakfast |
| Peri Peri Grill CottageWheelchair accessible | 4.1258 | 6.4 mi away | — | chicken fillet burger, chicken strips, pizza |
| East is WestWheelchair accessible | 4.4326 | 6.6 mi away | — | lamb karahi, mixed grill, naan |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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