The Blue Ball

"You can ignore all comments prior to a couple of months ago because The Blue Ball has a great new manager, Colin, who is turning the pub around. We had a good meal - my husband’s steak was the best he’d had in a restaurant for a long while. The desserts were good sized portions and were very good. Colin worked tirelessly all evening and engaged with every table. Drinks came quickly and food too but it wouldn’t have mattered if we’d had a little wait because we were enjoying the evening. Good to see the pub is changing. Keep up the good work."

"This used to be one of the best pubs in the area many many years ago. It has gradually gone down hill over the last decade and since covid, it’s lost its quality in food and service. We tried it twice to give them the benefit of doubt but it was so poor on both occasions. Such a shame as great location, parking facilities and cosy vibe."

"Nice interior but greeted by a pile of sick close to the entrance with a slippery floor sign next to it, 2 hours later when we left it was still there, lovely first impression!! Booked a 5.30pm table for Sunday Lunch so expected some roast options could be limited. No chicken, pork or mash potato. Not sure how you run out of mash however, just peel some spuds boil and mash them up with butter! Took 30 minutes for starters to arrive cold, sent back. Staff didn’t have much personality or customer service, abrupt and lacking any enthusiasm. Another 40 minutes for main course and had not cleared the starters aways before they arrived or collected empty glasses so table got a bit cluttered. Looking around the place and quite a few disgruntled looking customers, sending food back and waiting a long time…… Roast beef main courses (only meat available) were luke warm, roast parsnips way over cooked , big dry and cold Yorkshire pudding and just like warm cabbage as the main veg. Roast potatoes barely warm and a bit hard. Gravy was lovely but again almost cold. Not once did anyone ask how the food was, say sorry for the wait or if everything was okay when paying the bill, like they knew it wasn’t good and didn’t want to ask! Didn’t charge us for a round of drinks, but honestly came here for food so extra drinks didn’t really cut it. Lots of other nice gastro pubs and restaurants around the area delivering far better food and service than this place, so would 100% not return and recommend you go elsewhere to."

"A welcoming, tastefully decorated, and comfortable pub with good food selection. The meal was delivered quickly and was of excellent quality and quantity. The staff were friendly and helpful and I would recommend this place in the picturesque village of Walton on the hill."

"Had a pint of otter, hope it's the normal flavour because it was a wee bit sour. Bar staff need to step up. Good bartenders know who is next in line and acknowledge customers waiting. And again another pub that concentrates so much on food that if you weren't holding a menu you weren't going to get served. But apart from that the pub was clean and well presented, food I sampled was good. Worth a visit."