The Punch Bowl

Stopped here on the off- chance in Woodstock ...what a lovely welcome we were given and the food was delicious. Between us we had calamari or prawn cocktails to start and fish and chips or pies for main course. Too full up for dessert! The lady serving us was friendly and efficient and the prices were very reasonable. Would definitely recommend.

The website makes this look like a nice, very convenient gastro pub, the price at £340 makes you think it will be a very nice stay but it is distinctly under par. All the carpets are worn and stained. The bed linen and towels were clean but some had rips in them. The bathroom was dated. It was just really disappointing and felt like we’d been ripped off.

Stayed as part of a group No one available to give feed back to on departure as the manager didn’t start til 10 I emailed and Had my feed back been handled better via email and not so defensive about issues raised I would not be leaving this review The bedroom was tired, no black out facilities , a disgusting toilet seat ( which the cleaner informed us had been like that for ages ) dirty carpets ( apparently cleaned twice a year ) staff who appear to smoke more than look after guests Happy shopper £1 Mayo on the tables. Very mediocre food served in the bar, from very worn menus The room rate was extortionate for the standards offered even for the premium cost of Blenheim Palace on the doe step We visited several sites in the town who offered a far better standard at less cost

Having used accommodation of a similar type over the past few months and been very satisfied this was a real culture shock. Things went wrong from entering the premises. Our friend has a disabled parking pass but the only marked space was occupied by a vehicle not displaying one. The barman was doing the check in and it turned out it was his vehicle. His attitude was well use another space then! I asked him to move it but he said he couldn’t leave the bar. It was moved later that evening but the damage had already been done by then. We were told where the rooms were and made our way upstairs via a filthy stair carpet and very sticky handrail. Our friends were in room 6 and us in room 7. The latter was a twin room with a window which opened directly over the smoking area. There was no mirror in the room and the hairdryer lead wouldn’t stretch so I could use the bathroom mirror. Curtains were flimsy and the bed heads pretty grimy. I asked to speak to the manageress and said could I borrow an extension lead or a mirror but she said there were none and shrugged her shoulders. I commented on the barman’s attitude when we arrived and she said they didn’t actually have to provide disabled parking and it was more convenient for them to use as they lived on site. The cooked breakfasts on both days were fine although there were only a few cereals but plenty of toast and good coffee made up for this. Our server was a mature lady who was pleasant and helpful both at breakfast and when we saw her elsewhere on the premises. I think she serviced the rooms which was done well so no complaints there. They need refurbishing though, not the sort of place you wanted to linger. Can’t comment on dinner quality as we felt disinclined to give them the business in fact we came and went via the rear exit to avoid seeing anyone. On the last evening the manageress and staff/customers(?) were in the smoking area until well after midnight. As the bar closed at 10pm we felt this was unacceptable when there were guests. We had to have the window open for ventilation but it was impossible to get any sleep until the early hours. Breakfast was over by 8.30am so you couldn’t have a lie in either. The Punchbowl is in a good location and could be really good with the right refurbishment and a customer focused management. We all left feeling it was a distasteful experience all round. I could not advise anybody to use this accommodation.

It's taken 25 years to return here, some changes to the bar area, but still good beer, lovely lunch and free carpark. We didn't stay this time, but the bedroom floors still slope to one end of the room apparently. You can walk to Blenheim Palace from here.

Perfectly good stay at reasonably priced rates. Room comfortable and very clean. Bathroom looking a little tired and good sp with refurbishment soon. Staff were friendly and keen to help. The star of the show for me was the evening meal, which was excellent. This would probably persuade me to return - compliments to the chef!

My husband and I ate here 2 days ago we both had the steak in ale pie mine was with chips and veg and his was with cheesy sliced potatoes and mushy peas. What can I say but first rate pub food. No frills but delicious food at a very good price. Having eaten elsewhere locally and been very dissatisfied and paid much more, we were a little wary of what to expect. This pub food did not disappoint. It was served quickly it was piping hot the pastry was excellent and a good meaty filling. Chips were fab the cheesy sliced potatoes were also excellent almost a dauphinois minus the garlic. The lady who served us was very friendly indeed and chatted to us when she brought our food out to us unlike the poor service we had previously at the other pub. Keep up the great work and thank you for a lovely experience.

I was there on business alone. The rooms were not as advertised on the website. Very over priced. Upon arrival to check in the premises was shut and I thought the place had closed down. I had to wait around for 2 hours for somebody to turn up and open up the premises, I was then told they had staff issues. I paid for the accommodation in full prior to arrival, for 5 days. I could not check in on the first day and called the premises to advise, I also checked out a day early because of the poor experience so paid for 5 nights and stayed 3. I have no problem paying the nights I nave booked if it is my choice not to stay. The first room I was taken to did not even have a window and I refused it. The second room was not a lot better but it had natural light. The curtains were so thin they may well as not been there. The rooms look like they have been furnished from a car boot sale , the carpets leading to the rooms were very degrained. Full payment was made, upon arrival I was asked if I would like to add breakfast for 7.50 per day, I declined but an Unauthorised payment was taken from my card the next day for breakfasts which I did not have. I eventually had this returned after a conversation with the manager who initially refused to refund and had insisted that I had pre booked and that it is company policy for seven day notice of cancellation ( what for breakfasts !!) when it was refunded it as if the establishment had done me a favour. . I have stayed in more than 60 hotels in the last year and unfortunately by far was the worst.

Booked the Punchbowl last minute for a brief visit to the area. We had no idea what to expect, relying on trip advisor’s 4**** rating which proved accurate. The rooms were clean and the facilities more than adequate. Some of the carpets/ furnishings were a bit worn but somehow you don’t mind in an 18th century establishment. One thing which is important....the breakfast was excellent! Would certainly stay again if in the area.