After a lick of paint and a quick refurb The Cow at Lower Parkstone is once open again for business! I always thought the food at The Cow was of a good standard and I would often go there for a spot of lunch or the odd Sunday Lunch with the family.

Now the pub has been brought by The Green King pub chain it will interesting to see how the standard changes, I noticed when driving by the pub has a new minty lick of paint and the words “The Cow” painted on the sides of the building with some nice topiary bushes added to the railings.

I do know that the pub was on the market for a few years with the freehold included for around 1.2 million pounds but it seems the pub chain may have done a deal with the owners, but I do not think it was a bargain price.

Greene King is one of the better standards of pub chains (being an ex publican myself some friends worked for the company and they said they were always treated pretty well). It is not surprising that Pub chains want a piece of the animal Ashley Cross has become especially on a Friday and Saturday night when it is pretty packed all around the cross as it is known. I remember back in the day when Le Bateau started the trend and before you know every six months or so a new stylish eatery or bar has opened in the area. As I understand it the old Central Bar just down the road on Commercial Road is to become a new large stylish pub called The Ox, there were rumours of this being a Wetherspoons, But at this point I have not heard anything new so can not comment further.

Anyway back to The Cow I see from Greene Kings website that the menu is much lowered price than before I just hope the standard of food has not dropped!

i see from the website they have an offer of two free drinks when two main courses are purchased the link is here if you wish to get your voucher online http://gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-poole/the-cow-pub/ Also I have noticed they do Sunday Roast for £8.45 all day on Sunday which is very reasonable.

Some of The Cows favourites in the new menu:

A few favourites…

• West Country Crab Cakes in Coriander Breadcrumbs

  With red pepper & chilli dipping sauce and a dressed salad garnish. £4.25

• House Starter Board

  Great to share – West Country crab cakes, duck spring rolls and South Indian samosas, served with hoisin sauce, a tamarind dip, red pepper and chilli sauce. £8.95

• Beef in Chianti

  Served with braised red cabbage, carrots, green beans & Shropshire Blue mash £8.45

• Sweet Potato, Apricot, Chickpea & Red Pepper Kebabs (v)

  On an aromatic roasted vegetable couscous, with minted yoghurt and cucumber, flat bread and spring onions. £7.75

• Sticky Toffee & Date Pudding

  Topped with a rich toffee sauce and served with clotted cream, ice cream or custard £3.15

The contact information:

• Call us:

  01202 723155

• 58 Station Road, Parkstone
• Poole
• BH14 8UD

Greene King has bought the Cow pub in Poole, Dorset off a guide price of £1.2m.

The Victorian freehold property in Ashley Cross won National Freehouse and Pub of the Year in 2007.

The pub was previously a hotel and has the added attraction of its Thienot Gallery private dining room.

Ed Bellfield, director at property agent Christie + Co, said: “The Cow offers a wonderful mix of the traditional and the contemporary, and has established a well-earned reputation as a superb gastropub – as evidenced by the numerous awards it has received and the considerable repeat business it attracts. The Cow was always going to arouse substantial market interest and we are delighted that the renowned operator Greene King has acquired the pub.”