The Wayfarer in West Lancashire

Have been going to the wayfarer for many years but hasn’t been in a while for food because of disappointing past experiences but decided to try again as it’s a beautiful location but unfortunately we won’t be returning.Along with a disappointing menu and having to make do with certain things being vegetarian we chose our meals, then there was quite a bit of confusion with having no cheese for a pizza, then told there was vegan cheese then there wasn’t which was fine so we ordered anyway.Blackened chips were put out with my mums meal for one but it’s the sitting down of customers but not wanting to give them a decent restaurant service which I don’t understand. Why not just stop serving at a certain time.?I can’t believe after all of this time, before customers have finished their meal they still do that thing of moving tables and chairs back and forth as you’re eating, if not a ploy to rush customers, nothing says we just want you out of here more than that. The spraying of tables with cleaner around where you are eating is not really acceptable either.Once we had eaten our food, it was clear the service had stopped and the two staff, one seemingly the manageress avoided all eye contact as they kept walking past even though it was obvious we had finished. No one attempted to move our empty plates.We waited patiently as they kept walking up and down but still nothing. My son wanted desert or we would have just left. I had to ask the girl who had been serving behind the bar who was really nice and pleasant could we order desert. She said yes and didn’t seem to mind but the manageress brought it over with a I can’t be bothered look on her face. She had well checked out and it was obvious she didn’t wish to do anything any longer.It’s such a shame as it’s a beautiful place but seeing the other reviews seems we are not the only ones to notice a decline in the service. There are plenty of other beautiful places around which we will go to from now on.

We ate here Saturday night and could not fault it. They got us a booking last minute for 8:30. Food was excellent, service from the staff was really good 10x better than some places in the area, just a good atmosphere about the place. Really enjoyed it and will look forward to eating here again.

We've been coming here on and off for a long time and it remains one of the best places to eat we know in the area. Staff are friendly and helpful and they actively encourage constructive criticism of their dishes.Never had a bad plate here or an item cooked less than well. Some of the portions could be a tad bigger for a gannet like me, especially in the desserts but everything we've had is tasty, well presented and of a very high quality.

Great beer, good bar area but food and food service are a major let down. The options are too few, the food always includes something that has no place on that plate and then what arrives is strictly average. As a tip, book a table for thirty minutes before you would normally....the service is slow.... alternatively, just enjoy the beer...far better than the food...

Great service, no waiting at all. The food was top notch, really fresh and very hot when it arrived. Great roast, not over stuffed on the plate but enough that you were not going to leave hungry! The beer on tap brewed on site was really good. I had the rapscallion and I'm very pleased with it.

I just had the market fish of the week - it was a haddock risotto with lemon and capers - and oh my god it was so nice. It was perfectly balanced. Absolutely beautiful. Every time I come here, the food is gorgeous - amazing for the price.

A fantastic brewpub with excellent beers brewed at the pub, delicious food with very friendly attentive staff! A must visit if you're in Parbold

Really good food. I had the garlic bread with cheese, ox cheek croquettes and lamb hot pot. My partner had the salt and pepper squid and fish and chips. The food was excellent. Very good service, friendly staff. Nice atmosphere

Lovely home made food. Perfect portion sizes. Bit of a trek from us, Bolton, but we will definitely return

Had a wonderful meal here to celebrate my wife's birthday. The menu just keeps improving. It was so hard to decide what to order as it all sounds delicious. I started with the buttermilk fried chicken wings which were superb, followed by a porterhouse sirloin steak which was cooked to perfection and a tiramisu tart for dessert. My wife had the soy cured salmon to start followed by the Goosnargh duck breast, with a salt baked pear for dessert.The staff were very polite, friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was lovely. I can't wait to go again to try some of the other delights from their menu!