Waterend Barn
Quick info
About Waterend Barn
Waterend Barn is a Wetherspoons pub in St Albans, at AL1 3LE, set in a Tudor-style historic building. Old wooden beams and exposed rafters run through the interior, a large fireplace sits in the main space, and big chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The pub spreads across a wide variety of rooms with different table arrangements. The menu includes a boneless basket, and draught beers are on offer at the bar. Staff clear and clean tables between customers. The pub is walk-in, with no reservations. Weekends are busy, and a queue for food forms at busy times. A bus stop sits right next to the pub.
Good to know
“Classic pub grub and real ales in a sizable chain venue with exposed rafters and a large fireplace.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention tudor-style historic building, low-priced draft beer, boneless basket and wooden beams and chandeliers.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention tudor-style historic building, low-priced draft beer, boneless basket and wooden beams and chandeliers.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the historic Tudor-style building, praising its old wooden beams, big chandeliers, and an atmosphere described as alive and friendly, with a wide variety of rooms and seating. Food and drink are called standard but good value with generous portions, and one reviewer calls the boneless basket stunning. Staff are repeatedly described as friendly and efficient, and several mention tables being cleared and cleaned between customers. The complaints are more specific. One reviewer reports food that appeared to come from the same fryer, a staff member sipping a drink before serving it to a customer, and a glass with a distinct smell from a server's poor hygiene. The same reviewer calls the customer service appalling, though the bouncers drew praise. Others note a strong urinary smell in the men's toilets and an outdoor area with little shelter in the rain. One reviewer marked the visit down for lots of empty glasses left on empty tables.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the historic Tudor-style building, praising its old wooden beams, big chandeliers, and an atmosphere described as alive and friendly, with a wide variety of rooms and seating. Food and drink are called standard but good value with generous portions, and one reviewer calls the boneless basket stunning. Staff are repeatedly described as friendly and efficient, and several mention tables being cleared and cleaned between customers. The complaints are more specific. One reviewer reports food that appeared to come from the same fryer, a staff member sipping a drink before serving it to a customer, and a glass with a distinct smell from a server's poor hygiene. The same reviewer calls the customer service appalling, though the bouncers drew praise. Others note a strong urinary smell in the men's toilets and an outdoor area with little shelter in the rain. One reviewer marked the visit down for lots of empty glasses left on empty tables.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“The Waterend Barn JD Wetherspoons is very large and spacious, with very pleasant and helpful staff, knowledgeable about their newly advertised menu when asked. Very pleasant surroundings inside and out. Great to see tables being cleared and cleaned between customers. One thing I would improve, mens toilets although generally tidy there was a strong urinary smell around the urinals. There were no refreshing urinal blocks in the urinal basins either. I wont let this reflect my score rating as this is easily fixed. Overall great 👍 well worth visiting.”
- Google user
“A great ‘Spoons. Charming and historic building, friendly staff, clean toilets, the usual good quality and fantastic value ‘Spoons fare. I really enjoy my visits here and always look forward to coming back.”
- Google user
“Your regular Weatherspoon restaurant that keeps serving the same food, but some items are missing from the menu? Maybe, but it's also 1) the last place to dine in St Albans on a Sunday, 2) a stunning historic interior with tons of atmosphere, 3) draft beers for £3.19, 4) a favourite with the locals who flock here for good reason!”
- Google user
“Firstly, i’d like to start by saying that the food here is absolutely stunning, especially the boneless basket. however, one occasion i recieved food that looked to served from the same fryer. as a catering manager i understand the importance of having no cross contamination which unfortunately on this occasion standards wern’t being met. secondly, i watched a member of staff take a sip from an alcoholic drink, then serve it to a customer. OUTRAGEOUS. Thirdly, the customer service is appalling, only one time have i been served with a smile and told to have a nice evening. The bouncers however are brilliant, they understand the importance of safety. I also witnessed a girl, ask a bartender for angela, to which the staff member replied “angela doesn’t work here”, the staff need retraining on this as its a safety concern. Fourthly, on one occasion i witnessed a group of staff members swear at eachother infront of children, which is just unprofessional. Fifthly, I have been served drinks before from a young man whose hygiene was unfortunately poor, leaving a distinct smell on the glass - i couldn’t finish the drink. However, other than that my family and i love coming here, but certain things make it a downfall.”
- Google user
“Location is next to the bus stop ✋ It's a huge area and very busy at weekends Beautiful 🫠 people are nice and friendly 💁 Had a good meal. Not so expensive affordable 😋 Recommended 🫶for everyone.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near Waterend Barn
- Queens Head4.55233.9 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kids
sunday roast, wagyu topside, sticky toffee pudding
- 4.3 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi
outside seating area, dog friendly, cold burgers and chips
- The Dome Bar4.32025.7 mi away£20–30Wheelchair accessible
live bands at weekends, best cheapest guinness, classic and modern thai menu
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterend BarnWheelchair accessible | 4.13,844 | — | — | tudor-style historic building, low-priced draft beer, boneless basket |
| Queens HeadReservations · Good for kids | 4.5523 | 3.9 mi | £20–30 | sunday roast, wagyu topside, sticky toffee pudding |
| The Harpenden Arms, HarpendenReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Wi-Fi | 4.2807 | 4.3 mi | £10–20 | outside seating area, dog friendly, cold burgers and chips |
| The Dome BarWheelchair accessible | 4.3202 | 5.7 mi away | £20–30 | live bands at weekends, best cheapest guinness, classic and modern thai menu |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
