The Saracens Head

My wife and I visited for breakfast this morning (21st May 2025) as a treat for her birthday. The breakfast is good value with unlimited tea and coffee. Although the fried egg was very crispy and overdone for my liking the full breakfast was very nice and a very full plate. The views across the fields are also stunning and really make this a great setting for any meal. However we came away disappointed with the general service that let down the food and the beautiful location. The gentleman's first interaction was simply "whats your surname", then simply turned around and took us to our seat. Other than ordering our food that was the limit of any conversation we had. Not once did anyone come and ask if our food was okay, or whether we would like more tea and coffee (given it was unlimited). It wasn't busy either, it was very quiet. Finally on paying the bill, there was no hint of thanks for your custom or we look forward to seeing you again, have a nice day. Nothing. Thankfully the 8% service charge that it says will be added as discretionary to the bill was not added, as I'd have certainly asked for that to be removed given there was very little in the way of "service". Thumbs up though to the chefs though, couldn't fault the food even with the very crispy egg.

Decor nice, drinks decent, customers ignorant, service abysmal. Disappointing waited absolutely ages, thought I might pass out due to dehydration!.Shame because there's a decent selection of drinks, especially cask beers. Views are nice

Wonderful food; great decoration. Unfortunately, we were booked in at the end of Mother’s Day and many staff were now off duty. They remained in the bar around us, talking loudly about how long and stressful their day was, criticising other staff members, shouting, swearing and raucous laugher when cutlery was dropped. We understand that staff need to let off steam after a busy and long day, but it was inappropriate to do this around paying guests and made us feel unwelcome. Please can another space be found for staff to unwind without affecting guests?

We stayed nearby and stopped by for dinner in the bar on arrival, and also breakfast on our last day. Very good food and presentation. Relaxed, friendly service in lovely comfortable surroundings. Good understanding of food intolerances with substitutes available. Top rate local Chartley coffee.

An excellent restaurant a welcome stop after a day on the canal which runs alongside. We received a warm welcome and had a very enjoyable Sunday roast in the evening. Food and choice of drinks was excellent We will definitely be returning There are extensive gardens for when the weather is fine.

Went today for a belated birthday meal. Ordered 4 sunday dinners,two beef and two chicken supreme. Dinners came down and wasnt overly warm.beef was chewy and stringy,chicken was not over powering . Menu states each meal comes with roasted parsnips and carrots,after apologising that we had none we was served with one bowl with 4 carrots and 4 parsnips,and one bowl of seasonal veg for 4 peopke,. Tbh kids would have struggled too be nourished. Was probably worst sunday meal ive had for a while and after speaking too a friend that was also dining there ,they too experienced same disappointed . Too say a toby carvery would beat it then that speaks volume.