The Medieval Banquet

Shocking! Absolutely atrocious! I accepted an invitation for a friend's birthday here. We were tightly packed onto long tables, unable to get out to visit the loo. The watered down beer was virtually undrinkable. The wine was worse than supermarket £2.99 JP Chenet. Then there was the lack of cutlery (soup straight from the bowl anyone?), the communal arm linking and swaying round the table, the conga round the room. If possible, the quality of the food was worse than all of this. When I saw the pained expression on my boyfriend's face as he reached into a bucket to pull out a piece of rubbery chicken in a rancid sauce, I realised that I owed him big time...
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L. Jones
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Sunday, September 28, 2008

Deeply brill. Me and my good buddys went here to sample Olde Englande. We are from Tuscon and needed to find out about this. History lessons, medieval babes and a meal. cant be bad!

Everything was perfect and the dancing and food was great. we joined in all the songs even tho' we dont know the words and I was suprised that some of Linda Ronstadt numbers they sung were originally written by those medieval dudes. Way to go!

Apparently (according to the Jester guy), it is like a ride back to history as everything is so authentically done. and he said that the dude playing Henry the 17th (?) was from Central Casting he was so accurate.

Yea! We are here for another 2 months and we are GOING AGAIN!! We need more history of those medieval guys!
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Tony Randell
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, September 11, 2008

Unfortunately, we attended the Medieval Banquet last night! First, why do they call it The Medieval Banquet"??? There was nothing Medieval about it??? It's all about King Henry the VIII and his court! That's called the Renaissance period. They also insisted on playing Irish music written in the 19th century - like The Wild Rover for example. Then there was a lot of improv type looking dancing by the wenches. There are so many beautiful Renaissance dances they could have performed. What really disgusted me was the disco at the end. What the hell is that? They should just call it Time Travel through the Ages Banquet. The poor actors and performers are all very talented and put a lot of energy into their performance. I have no quarrel with them. I'm upset with the fool who orchestrated the whole affair. He needs to read a history book. He should also attend the Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle in Ireland. The Irish know how to put on a good show! They pretty much keep it very period. It's still touristy but you leave feeling very happy because you do feel you've had a glimpse into the past.
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Maria Bowen
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I booked the Medieval Banguet not knowing what to expect. I took my husband and our nine year old son. We had a brilliant time. the staff made us feel very welcome and included us all in the entertainment and the food was excellent. I would definitely go again, it was great fun.
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Karen Bleasby
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, August 31, 2008

Myself and my girlfriend were given this night out as a present, we weren't really sure what to expect but the whole night was excellent.

We were shown to our seats almost straight away, with complimentary glasses of cider to get things going, then the entertainment started with the troubadors and guitar medlies. Considering the staff have to do this day after day they were happy, friendly and helpful.

The starter arrived quickly and everyone dived in serving each other on the table, not complaining that they had to hand the bread around and tear bits off themselves, more entertainment from the juggler.

The soup was lovely, hot and loads of it, by this time we were on our umpteenth carafe of wine and beer. More entertainment, joining in the singing, or if you don't know the words just bang the table, the louder the better. Main course was the chicken, again, hot and loads of it with a large platter of veg, more wine, more beer, more entertainment with the swordfight, considering they were fighting all out in a 10' x 10' space they did well not damaging themselves and all this overseen by Henry VIII and Lady Katherine and the MC.

If you want to be spoon fed, be waited on hand and foot, drink soup without a spoon (god forbid) and break your own bits of bread off a loaf then don't go.

If on the other hand you want a good night out to let your hair down, act like a child, eat, drink and be as merry as you like then get down there.

I can attest to that as I had to be carried back to the train. Everyone will have their own opinion and their experience will be different.
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Mick Hazell
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 07, 2008

I went with a party of 17 for a friend's birthday on Saturday and we all had a thoroughly wonderful time. The wenches were friendly and the show, which lasts for 2 and a half hours, was excellent. I was impressed by the talent on display and the standard of singing and musicianship was high.

The venue, in the basement of an old warehouse, is like a wine vault with exposed brickwork. Diners are seated at long tables in the alcoves. The show begins at 8.15 with a troupe of dancers, jesters and wenches parading around. King Henry VIII and the Queen (not sure which Queen she played but the part was wonderfully sent up by a young actress called Nicola) led the show with great spirit and gusto. In fact, the entire cast really threw themselves into the spirit of the evening and enjoyed performing to the diners. The more we roared and banged our tables, the bigger their smiles. To make the most of the evening, you have to up for a merry night out. In between the courses, diners were entertained by sword fights, jugglers and other acrobatic acts.

The starter of pate, cold meats, salad and bread was excellent and the soup, which had to slurped from the bowls, was piping hot and plentiful. The main course was a bit of a let down, although when we asked for more veg, the wench brought over more portions which was plenty. The carafes of wine were replaced with full ones regularly or you could have jugs of ale or cider. I can't understand the poor reviews written, as on our visit, all the parties seemed to be enjoying themselves. My only disappointment was that the disco finished too early (around 11.45) as this is a residential area apparently. But if you want to be in a real life 'Carry on Henry' and have a sense of humour, you won't be disappointed.
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Peter Fudela
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, June 15, 2008

I went there for my hen night on 8th March 2008. It was absolutely fantastic!

Considering the amount of people they had to cater for, the quality of the food was amazing and our "wench" kept the drinks flowing.

The entertainment was impressive and Henry VIII was brilliant!

Definitely stay for the disco at the end, it's great fun.

If you're expecting gourmet food and don't have a sense of humour, then dont go. However if you are looking for a fun night out and there's a big group of you then I would highly recommend it.
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Suzy
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 10, 2008

Booked this for Valentine's dinner with boyfreind. I expected bad things after reading some online reviews but was pleasently surprised.

The atmosphere was great, everyone seemed to get into the swing of things and cheered on throughout the night. The food was ok, not deluxe but filling. The free wine was bit warm and not that great but I mixed it with another drink and it did its required job. The free beer wasn't even touched by my boyf but we were still merry by end of night.

The service was prompt and friendly, no sulking waitresses. The entertainment was good aswell. Would have liked to have stayed longer but last trains were leaving.

Overall, its a fun night out. It's not for boring quiet people or ones looking for gourmet grub. Great for parties and office do's! It's exactly what you would expect from a themed night out! Fun!
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Angie
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 18, 2008

I have never before been prompted to write a review of a venue before, but in all my years of organising the annual office party, I, nor my colleagues, have never experienced such a terrible evening out.

Our event, held in January, turned out to be a total nightmare. We sat down to eat at 19.45; the first course appeared at 21.00; it was 22.00 before we saw the main course. Unfortunately, both were inedible and prompted a walk-out from our party, who were in no mood to wait around for a dessert we assumed would be no better. During this time of waiting, we were 'entertained' continually, to the point that all we wanted the assorted jesters and wenches to do was to shut up and leave us alone.

Despite our best efforts to remain in good spirits and 'make the most' of our evening, I am afraid most of us lost the will to continue. Sadly the management have refused to listen to our concerns and therefore I could not recommend anyone paying £45 per head for such an evening (be it a large or small or family group) - the words 'rip-off' spring to mind.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Our company went here for our Christmas party on Friday 21st Dec. After a nice starter, everything started going downhill drastically.

Where do I start? The entertainment looked like it was made up on the spot. The sword fight was the only properly rehearsed piece. The dancers were all looking at each other nervously for cues.

After quite a good starter (salmon) and ok soup, the main meal was awful. Boiled to death chicken in bisto gravy.

As for the unlimited drink, one jug amongst 15 people only lasts a few minutes and the jugs were few and far between. With only one member of staff to serve all 50 of us, she had too much to do. Once when I asked her for another jug for our table she chided me saying that we shouldn't all drink so much and it's a long way from the bar to our tables. At your Christmas party you don't really expect this.

Don't go there!
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Mark
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 14, 2008