We first stayed at The Forresters Arms in 1988. In the intervening 34 years, we have stayed there about ten times. Sometimes you should never go back. Our welcome on arrival was cool. The lady on Reception (possibly the same one as mentioned in the Londoner016 review of February 2022) did not even look up from her screen as she asked “Checking in?” We were allotted Room 3 (we had booked a Classic Double room). We were also given a form for the following day’s breakfast; breakfast is served from 08:00 to 10:00 but you have to specify a time - we were told in no uncertain terms to be down on time as breakfast would be cooked at the time specified and would get cold. Payment for the full stay was taken and we were also told that nothing could be charged to the room, any bar/dining services had to be paid for at the time of consumption (different from our previous stays, but house policy so fair enough). Room 3 overlooks the road through the village and The Mouseman Museum opposite. It is large but slightly empty and could possibly benefit from another piece of furniture (a chest of drawers perhaps?). We settled in to relax (after a long journey) before dinner that evening. We were aware of the fan noise from the kitchen which has always been a feature of The Forresters (see many other historical reviews). At 16:15 our relaxation was rudely interrupted by the sudden loud thumping of what can only be described as ‘rave’ music - it went on continuously, without stopping. At 17:00 we went downstairs to enquire/complain; no staff were about. However, the thumping music could not be heard downstairs. We investigated and found that Room 3 is directly above the kitchen, where the music was coming from; the kitchen fans are so loud that the chef/cooks turn their music up so they can hear it above the fan noise! The ‘rave’ music continued unabated. We went down to dinner at 18:30 and were greeted by Duncan, who we assume is the bar/restaurant manager. We told him about our problem with the ‘rave’ music and he was most apologetic, telling us we would not hear it again. When we returned to our room later that evening, the music was lower but was still completely audible. It stopped at 22:15 (so it lasted 6 hours from 16:15 to 22:15). Then about 5 minutes later, lighter music started up and went on until 22:45. The following day we went down to breakfast at the chosen time of 08:30. The problem here is that the Ladies toilets are off the dining area; they are cleaned at this time and the door is propped open and the smell of bleach emanates - when guests are trying to have their breakfast! That afternoon, the thumping music started up again at 16:15 when the kitchen staff arrived. Again it did not stop until 22:15 when, after the few minutes of silence, the lighter music started up (a voice was heard distinctly saying “Alexa, play ‘Tell Me Why’”!). At 06:45 the following morning we saw, from the window of Room 3, the chef and his assistant arriving. 5 min
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