About This Pub
Oh, let me tell you about The Rusty Gun – it's one of those classic country pubs that really hits the spot for a relaxed evening out. I love how they've nailed the food side of things; the mains like the pork belly and ribs are just spot on, full of rich flavours that make you feel properly satisfied, and it's all served up in this cosy, inviting space with a real fire that warms you up on those nippy nights. The staff are an absolute gem, always making sure you're looked after, and it's brilliant for families with the garden activities like feeding the pigs – adds a bit of fun to the visit. Plus, their local beers and wines are a treat, and those weekday specials keep the excitement going. But, to be fair, it's not all perfect; the carvery can let things down with veg that goes cold and floppy, and the potatoes might be a bit heavy-handed with the salt, which is a shame when the rest is so good. And the garden, while it's got potential, feels a bit rundown with mismatched furniture, so it might not be the idyllic spot you'd hope for. Overall, though, it's a solid choice for a pint and a bite – I'd say give it a go, especially if you're in the area, but maybe skip the carvery if you're after something foolproof.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The food is absolutely top-notch, with delicious options like the pork belly and ribs that leave you wanting more – it's hearty and full of flavour, perfect for a proper pub meal.
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The staff are incredibly welcoming and accommodating, making everyone feel right at home, whether you're popping in for a quiet drink or bringing the family along.
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It's got a lovely cosy atmosphere, especially with that real fire going on chilly evenings, and the pub's history with the Twin Foxes adds a fun, quirky touch.
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They've got a great selection of local beers from The Old Cannon Brewery and superb wines, plus family-friendly bits like the garden where kids can feed the pigs.
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There are fun themed evenings and specials during the week, which keep things lively and give you a reason to visit regularly.
Cons
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The carvery can be a bit disappointing at times, with the veg going cold and soggy quickly, and the potatoes sometimes over-seasoned with salt, which throws off the whole dish.
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The garden furniture is a tad tatty and mismatched, which doesn't quite live up to the rest of the pub's charm, making it feel less inviting on a nice day.
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Some experiences might vary, as a few folks have mentioned things not being as fresh or hot as they'd hope, so it's worth checking what's on offer before you go.
Contact Information
London Rd, St Ippolyts, Hitchin SG4 7PG
+441462432653
Pub
Open Now
Opening Hours
| Monday (Today) | 12:00 - 21:00 |
| Tuesday | 12:00 - 21:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 - 21:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00 - 21:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 - 21:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00 - 21:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 - 18:00 |
Recent Reviews
The meat in the carvery is ok but the veg, sat in huge servers goes cold very quickly. It then ends up soggy. The potatoes were very over seasoned with salt. I appreciate a carvery is a fine balance but it should not be at the expense of freshness and being hot.
My wife ordered the fish and asked for fries instead of the larger chips. She got the chips. They weren’t hot either. I already had my dinner so she didn’t ask for a change as eating separately is not what you go out for a meal to do.
I think also £4.30 for a large Diet Coke is really far beyond reasonable. That’s about £16 if you were buying a 2litre bottle in a supermarket. Quite the markup.
On a positive note the staff are very nice. I just wished they’d got my wife’s order right!
To be fair it's a lovely pub inside, with a shop on the left as you come in, selling jams, pickles, and the like. It was a lovely day when we popped in, so outside we went. The garden, dear oh dear. Tatty mismatched furniture. Tables covered in green and white cheqered plastic. Rubbish, old ladders. A table on its side. As we drove out, a sign advertising the shop was thrown in the bushes. Says it all.
Had a lovely dinner on Friday evening. Warm welcome, great service and fantastic food. We shared duck bon bons and pork belly bites to start, both were very tasty. Pork belly main was huge and delicious, husband rated the full rack of ribs and said the meat fell off the bone. Shared a pud and left feeling very full and happy. Will definitely come back.
Lovely meal at the Rusty Gun. Food was top notch, staff made us feel extremely welcome and were extremely accommodating and really good with our little one. It was a quiet evening for them but still a lovely atmosphere, sat by the real fire which was lovely and warm in the really cold temperatures we have been having recently. Overall a great evening!
Fantastic Christmas Day at The very festive Rusty Gun.
We have not dined out before on Christmas Day and were so impressed with everything from start to finish.
It was so cosy and there was a great vibe.
The staff were great and the food was delicious.
Will definitely do it again one year. Thank you.
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