Play at Brewers Fayre Oakenhurst Farm, Blackburn Review
Reviewed by Julie Leousis
We attended a VIP event at the Oakenhurst Farm Brewers Fayre pub on Saturday, this was to promote its brand new Dennis the Menace and Beano themed play area. I attended with my family which included 2 children aged 8 years and 10 year as well as two teenagers 14 and 16 years. The pub was in a good accessible location just off junction 4 of the M65 with plenty of car parking.
We were met by staff on arrival and shown into the new play area. We found somewhere to sit, though due to the size of the room and the table arrangements we were unable to sit together. The play area was fresh and inviting for children with a play area on 3 floors with slides and tunnels throughout. The theme of Dennis was consistent throughout the room including drapes from the ceiling. Dennis the Menace was at the play area spending time with all the children.
The two boys enjoyed playing in there and dragged their 14 year old brother in for a while. However they soon got bored and came back to the table.
There was an activity room set out with colouring and also a lady doing face painting for the younger children, but my boys said they were too old for that.
There were only invited customers in the play room so it wasn’t too busy, but I can see that it could get quite full and I am not sure I would want to stay in their to eat a meal, that at a weekend wouldn’t be particularly cheap.
Staff were very attentive and polite. We were offered drinks throughout our time in the play area. They really made us feel at home.
After an hour and half we all moved into the dining area for a two course meal. Unfortunately after waiting over 30 minutes for food that we had pre-ordered we had to ask a waitress when we would be served. Some customers who were seated after us were actually eating their pudding before our dinner arrived.
We all had a good plateful of food when the mains arrived. Two of us had smothered chicken, this was a little dry and the chips were slightly cold. It was edible though and plenty there. My daughter had a chicken curry with rice, nan bread , this was hot and tasty with plenty. My older son had adult burger and chips, again he said the chips were cold but the burger was good. The children’s meals were good portions even for my boys. One had the hot dog, chips and corn on the cob the other had pizza and garlic bread with his own choice of toppings. For pudding we had Very Berry Cheesecake, Caramel Apple Betty and chocolate fudge cake. Whilst all were good the best pudding by far was the chocolate fudge cake, great portion and very tasty. The boys had strawberry sundaes off the kids menu and again they were great.
Staff again during the meal were friendly and helpful. We were served by Laura who was very helpful and cheery.
The pub was clean and fresh with very good staff. The food is very reasonable with the weekday deal but I may not have been pleased to have spent over £80 on what we had today as the offers are not available on a weekend. The play area is small and could potentially be very cramped if busy, I wouldn’t want to eat a full meal in there but great for families with smaller children than I have. The pub is very accessible and next to a hotel for those travelling.
I would go again but probably on a week day.
Rating: 3/5
For more information, to view menus or to book a table visit:
www.brewersfayre.co.uk/pub-restaurant/Lancashire/Oakenhurst-Farm-Darwen.html
Riversway Drive, Off Eccleshill Road, Lower Darwen, Blackburn, BB3 OSN | 01254 707 210
