Ye Old Fighting Cocks
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About
#3 of 5 inns in St. Albans
Location
4.3
Rooms
2.9
Value
3.2
Cleanliness
3.6
Service
3.3
Sleep Quality
3.3
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is Britain's oldest pub, set overlooking Verulamium park lake in the heart of St. Albans. Serving great food great wine and a fine selection of real ales.
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Property amenities
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Wine / champagne
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Historic Hotel
Quirky Hotels
Location
16 Abbey Mill Lane, St. Albans AL3 4HE England
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 75 out of 100
75
26 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 40
- 30
- 16
- 17
- 13
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Detailed Reviews
Visited Tuesday lunchtime, lots of space and a big garden. Plenty of shade. Nice bar staff and a good vibe, service was slow considering they’d only been open half hour and it was fairly quiet. Limited menu for a hot sunny lunchtime. Who wants sausage and mash at that time? The goats cheese salad was delicious and the chips good. The chicken wings were awful, sat in a puddle of grease and despite the size they were mainly gristle and tendon. Unpleasant and we left most of them. Hopefully just a bad menu choice.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ordered food, others were receiving their food despite ordering after us. After waiting an hour, staff checked and told us our ticket had been lost. They promised we would be next and offered us a free round of drinks as an apology.
Food was hot when it arrived but unfortunately really rather mediocre and underwhelming.
Food was hot when it arrived but unfortunately really rather mediocre and underwhelming.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So we went to the Cocks tonight and this is a great drinking pub. Maybe the pizza in the outside oven is good for a summer evening but just DONT bother to eat in.
The new menu needs bedding in and testing and I hope they get it right but it's pretty much hit and miss right now.
The new menu needs bedding in and testing and I hope they get it right but it's pretty much hit and miss right now.
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Date of stay: June 2017Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Christo T, Owner at Ye Old Fighting Cocks
Responded Jun 12, 2017
Turns out a few thousand other people don't agree with you. Thankfully. Hope to see you again and hope to help you think better of us next time. Always trying to do or best. Thanks for visiting
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
As a group of three adults and one child, we went to this pub, knowing from past experience that it is excellent, albeit some years ago. The pub itself has a great character and a very friendly staff, Meal orders were taken at the bar and we ordered drinks from their excellent selection. All of the meals came pretty quickly and were delivered at the same time, remarkable as there were 4 different meals. Burger and chips for my grandson, cod and chips, penne pasta and spicy chicken wings and chips. I had the pasta and without a doubt that was the best meal, I have had for a long time. In fact, it was amazing. The cod and chips were eaten by an Italian relative who absolutely loved it, never having had it before. The chicken wings were also excellent but be warned, this was meant to be a starter, but was a meal in itself. There is no personal service as such, with the meal order taken at the bar and delivered to the table but that was not a problem. It is a pub meal, after all. I was then pleasantly surprised by the bill given the quality of the food served and the setting. Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This character, old pub is a pleasant walk through the cathedral grounds a short distance away from the town. It is the oldest pub in St Albans.
We visited before dinner and my partner really enjoyed a pint of hand pulled real ale.
There was a good choice of wine, and I enjoyed a glass of prosecco. It has a characterful interior, a good atmosphere and friendly staff.
We visited before dinner and my partner really enjoyed a pint of hand pulled real ale.
There was a good choice of wine, and I enjoyed a glass of prosecco. It has a characterful interior, a good atmosphere and friendly staff.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Really enjoyed the experience of lunch today. First class service from all the staff front start to finish. Food delicious 6 Sunday lunches all came out together. Food was hot plentiful and very tasty. Lovely surroundings. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stopped for a lunch and a couple of cold pints, after exploring the city. Menu was great - not overloaded with dozens of choices (something I don't like in pubs!), but everything on there sounded delicious! Staff were super helpful, cheerful and friendly - every one of them. We were informed that there was a thirty to forty minute wait for food, but we didn't mind as it was such a lovely pub to relax in. Food arrived after about twenty-five minutes and was superb! Very impressed, especially with the wild boar sausages! Outside area was fantastic, whole pub was clean and I would highly recommend that you visit!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â A St. Albans essential!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terrible place, the gentleman and the lady I believe the 2 owners had such a horrible attitude towards myself and my wife. Very unpleasant stay avoid at all costs. The sausage in my breakfast was cold and the mattress I’m sure it had mould growing on it.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My girlfriend and I decided to go here for some food last Sunday. We arrived at 2.20 to be told that a big party is coming in in 10 minutes and to ask if we could come back to the bar to order our food in 15 mins. We were starving so we said sure no problems. So we went back in 15 mins to be told to then come back in 45 mins as their not ready. If we would of known this before we wouldn't of gone in and bought drinks waiting. This also happened to 2 other couples and they were as angry as me as they were also told to get a drink and wait for only 15 mins. The staff their couldn't care less and didn't even apologise! Literally the worst service I have ever seen!! I will never ever go back there again!
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Date of stay: September 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Recently the service here has just become appalling. Staff are either extremely rude or incompetant or both. It's such a shame because otherwise this pub is definately worth a visit for the atmosphere and location.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Dave, you are lucky to be there for several times :). I was there once only, but unforgettable impression. VERA
"If you don't drink I wouldn't try it out and avoid outside if you don't smoke."Read full review
ALSO KNOWN AS
ye old fighting cocks hotel st. albans
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandHertfordshireSt. Albans
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ye Old Fighting Cocks
Which popular attractions are close to Ye Old Fighting Cocks?
Nearby attractions include St Albans Cathedral (0.2 miles), Verulamium Park (0.3 miles), and Pots of Art (0.3 miles).
What food & drink options are available at Ye Old Fighting Cocks?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Ye Old Fighting Cocks?
Conveniently located restaurants include Al Farid, Dylans At The Kings Arms, and Per Tutti St Albans.
Is Ye Old Fighting Cocks located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.6 miles away from the center of St. Albans.
Are pets allowed at Ye Old Fighting Cocks?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Ye Old Fighting Cocks?
Many travelers enjoy visiting St Albans South Signal Box (0.8 miles), St Albans Hertfordshire England (0.7 miles), and The Wallingford Screen (0.3 miles).