The Hand and Flowers

Featured reviews

• G

  Google user

  ·1 month ago

  “We had the early evening three course menu (with the additional first course.) The menu was well balanced, each course being perfectly cooked and very tasty. Wines were excellent. The service was perfect: quietly friendly, informative and very efficient.”

• G

  Google user

  ·3 months ago

  “I visited The Hand & Flowers to celebrate finishing my first year at university as a mature student at 35, after making a significant career change. I honestly couldn’t have chosen a better place. The food was fantastic from start to finish. The soda bread with caramelised onion butter and the salt cod Scotch egg were a brilliant way to begin. The pearl barley with smoked chicken, pickled pear and wild garlic was packed with flavour, and the Wiltshire pork was one of the best pork dishes I’ve had. Every element on the plate felt like it belonged there and brought something different. The raspberry and rose water trifle was also a standout and finished the meal perfectly. What made the evening though was the staff. Everyone was friendly, welcoming and clearly passionate about what they do. I was dining alone, but never once felt awkward or out of place. The service struck that perfect balance of being attentive without being intrusive. A special thank you to the gentleman who talked me through the wine pairings. His knowledge and enthusiasm really added to the experience and helped me appreciate each course even more. As someone who loves food and has eaten in many highly regarded restaurants over the years, I arrived with high expectations. The Hand & Flowers exceeded them ❤️ I’d read a few reviews before visiting and wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I’m very glad I made up my own mind. This wasn’t just a great meal; it felt like a proper celebration. I finished the evening with two Old Fashioneds simply because I didn’t want it to end. As I walked back out into the warm summer evening, I felt exactly how a celebration should feel: happy, relaxed and very well looked after. Not overly full or weighed down, just content ☺️. Worth every penny and pound x Thank you to everyone at The Hand & Flowers for making the end of my first year at university such a memorable occasion. I certainly will be back again for graduation week with my family ❤️ 😋”

• G

  Google user

  ·3 months ago

  “We had the Set Menu & agreed that for the price, it’s possibly the best meal we’ve had in the UK. The staff were all friendly & happy to explain things & very attentive. My only wish would be the lighting to be a fraction brighter to help with photos, which you will want to take. Wish we could have met Tom, his team are doing incredible work. We will be back.”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “We ate here as part of a 2 night dine and stay which also included dinner at The Coach and breakfast on two mornings (although we only ate one due to illness). Overall we preferred our meal at The Coach trying a variety of small plates. At the Hand and Flowers we had the classics menu included as part of the 2 night deal. The food was all very good but we were disappointed with the options for the main course as there are only two choices. I had the tenderloin of pork which I enjoyed very much but my wife doesn't particularly like pork and was disappointed that the alternative option was fish and chips which is not what she was hoping to have for dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant. Unfortunately we were both taken very ill later that same night with norovirus (hence the missed breakfast on departure day). Obviously we don't know where we picked that up from but we did inform the staff so hopefully they would have deep cleaned the room we were staying in before allowing any other guests in.”

• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “First time at this restaurant and had the lunch menu. For my taste, the food was too salty and I was thirsty for the rest of the day. We had basil soup with Bramley apple and courgette and then Cassoulet of Cannellini Beans with Peas, Broad Beans and Fresh herbs and triple cooked chips. It was presented well and staff were pleasant. Paper towels, not towelling, in the ladies but very nice soap and hand cream.”

• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “This was our second time at the Hand and Flowers, and our review is pretty much the same as the first! The service, from the moment you arrive, is impeccable, with friendly, helpful staff who are attentive without being overbearing. The food is incredible, creative and unique while still being delicious, traditional, and hearty. A few years ago I couldn't have imagined eating a haddock omelette but now it's one of my favourite ever dishes! The desserts and cocktails are simply delicious. The _only_ negative is the poor coffee, which, at £7.50 for a double espresso, is a fairly notable dip in quality. Other than that - superb, and can't wait to go back - just no coffee next time!”

• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “Outrageously disappointed. Took my girlfriend here for her birthday and it was a little milestone for myself also 30th Michelin star for being 30 years old. Me and my girlfriend both really enjoy watching Tom was extremely excited about coming but wow not only didn’t it not live up expectations it was just an absolutely culinary disaster. Didn’t ruin my girlfriend’s birthday as we had other activities but man it was a really low point. We got the classic menu, 3 course for 85pp, not their full menu but I would still expect this to be at a 2 star level.. it wouldn’t stand out in your local high street pub. To start, a deep fried curried fish ball accompanied by a chipotle mayonnaise. The fish ball was overwhelmingly salty and the mayonnaise had 0 flavour… and I really do mean it didn’t taste like anything not even mayonnaise let alone chipotle. We overheard many people complaining about the fish ball being extremely salty. So that’s a bad start The bread was fresh, extremely delicious and both butters they provide were great Starters my girlfriend got moules mariniere and I got chicken and buckwheat. The moules was bland and overly salty but not offensive… the buckwheat and chicken was when I really knew it was going to be a bad day. The buckwheat again just had 0 flavour, the chicken was slightly dry and just tasted like cooked packet chicken you get from a supermarket. The “pickled” pear brought nothing it was just cold pear balls, the garlic puree was flavoursome. Mains.. wow as if it wasn’t bad enough already I had the misfortune of ordering the fish and chips…. A tiny piece of battered fish no real complaints but nothing exciting it was cooked fine but the chips are a different story. Every single person in the restaurant who got the fish and chips left the chips. They were CLEARLY microwaved to reheat as they were cold, stodgy and flavourless. I wouldn’t expect this in a pub let alone 2 MICHELIN STARS!? Outrageously poor. The pork my girlfriend ordered was painfully average. No flavour, pork was slightly overcooked but still tender. The sausage was fine.. A pulled pork croquette ball thing that was SO sweet it didn’t fit with the dish at all. Completely out of balance and once again flavour. Desserts, I had chocolate and ale cake. Dry sponge with really thick stodgy icing, the ice cream was fine but no real flavour. My girlfriend got the raspberry trifle and it was the only thing that really had any flavour or balance. The disappointment in this place is immense. I want to give the benefit of the doubt as they had a special even in the evening but I would never expect food that bad in a 1 star let alone 2 star!! Service is the only positive experience we had. It is absolutely immaculate and Gavin was just superb. Attentive without overbearing, funny, knowledgeable and just overall a great member of staff. The service is absolutely worthy of 2 stars and wouldn’t feel out of place in a 3 star… Shame. HUGE shame. I don’t feel like I can include this in my quest for stars so I guess back down to 28 🥲”

• G

  Google user

  ·6 months ago

  “Awesome place! We have just returned from our stay at Hand and Flowers which was a gift for my wifes 50th Birthday suprise. Well we are both big foodies and have eaten at many different Michelin Guide and Michelin Star restaurants (generally as milestone treats).... We were NOT disappointed- The room was amazing and the Bath in the Rudyard (huge copper two person) was worth it on its own. The food was just brilliant as was the service - we had the house menu!! The team explained the food and all the sauces/ingredients with amazing knowledge and nothing was too much trouble - there was just one dish that was just not to my wifes liking (just a personal preference thing) - the staff actively asked and looked for what was not liked to gain feedback and see if they could improve it - they even offered another option. The team were so friendly and Coral was an absolute credit to the business explaining not just the food and wine but the history of the Pub !!! The Atmosphere was lovely just warm and friendly as a pub should be with our neighbouring diners joining in conversations etc .... the food just elevates you from that comfy local to fine dining 👏👏 Then there are those little touches - the card, the biscuits, then when we got back to the room after dinner there was a couple chocolate cookies (OMG - they were amazing) and fresh hot chocolate. Breakfast was also fantastic a nice mix of yoghurts, pastries & Jams, Sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, tomato in celery salt and horseradish drizzle .... on leaving we were presented with a couple of apple pies for the journey. We will definitely be returning- but we both had an amazing time ... we had a little walk around the town before check-in and had a bite to eat at the H&F sister venue The Butchers Tap and Grill (over the road is the Coach too) ...”

• G

  Google user

  ·6 months ago

  “Had the set menu which was: - Snacks - sausage roll and sourdough bread. The pastry was beautifully flakey and the bread was high hydration with a good crust. - Starter - cheesey tart with salted egg yolk. The tart was crisp and the filling was very flavourful. - Main - hake with beans. - Dessert - dark chocolate with blood orange sorbet and EVOO. This was absolutely delicious, the blood orange cut through the richness of the chocolate. Service was friendly and attentive - thank you. Atmosphere was cosy and informal. Would highly recommend especially for a more informal setting.”

• G

  Google user

  ·7 months ago

  “Compared to our last visit this place has gone downhill - it really has! 2 star Michelin should mean high standards and quality food. Both failed on this occasion. The menu was changed vs the time of booking - here's an idea Tom, let diners know the changes via email! You have the booking info, so a simple fix. Okay, £25 for two courses looks not bad on paper. The taste is certainly there in parts. But portion size? Come on, don't take the "pith"! The hake was clearly overcooked on top (blow torching it may be fancy, but does cook it further!). Dessert was good. However, portion size was tiny (refer to photo vs spoon). Service was hit and miss. I had to top up our drinks (not Michelin standards) and little details are missing or failing (such as checking in on guests and getting the sides mixed up; we ordered mash, received cabbage - this was corrected but meant 1/2 the meal was already eaten). When paying the prices paid, one would expect a faultless experience (regardless of food portions etc). Unfortunately not. Yes, I did provide feedback when finally asked at payment stage. I do not expect a response from the establishment. Enough said really.”