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NINOS HAS NOW CLOSED AND A NEW BUSINESS HAS REPLACED IT WITH DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT

We visited Ninos following a recommendation. Unfortunately, we found out the hard way that the recommendation was unreliable.

Ninos is a small Italian Restaurant in Knaphill. The decor is Mediterranean in style with a cafe feel to it. Think red check table cloths.

Although the restaurant is mainly open in style with closely packed tables there are a couple of nooks and crannies where a slightly more intimate meal could be shared.

The menu is traditional Italian, pizzas and pastas with the odd fish or meat dish. It all sounds really nice but, unfortunately, in our experience, the reality is different.

A dish of seafood linguine turned out to be a plate of linguini with one, yes, one, prawn. A pizza was similarly lacking in topping and tasted rather bland.

We should have stopped at the main courses but decided to have a dessert. Although not offensive in taste these were nothing special.

The thing, however, that made this restaurant experience such a poor one was the attitude of the staff. Service was lacklustre and perfunctory. Plates were slammed onto the table and no attention was paid to good serving etiquette.

When we came to pay we were given the incorrect amount of change. We politely brought this to the attention of the waitress who saw fit to argue the point. She eventually agreed that the change was incorrect and after a wait of about 10 minutes, she simply slammed the additional money on our table and walked away. We were left to find our own coats.

I rarely say to people "don't go to..." as my idea of good food and yours might differ. On this occassion, however, I feel compelled to advise against Ninos.

Waterfalls don’t have the best location in town but, once you reach their shop-front you’ll be impressed. Rather than static bits of paper stuck in the windows they have dynamic computer screens displaying properties and floor plans. They were the first agent in Woking to do this, and, with the exception of Foxtons, this remains a selling point.

The property details that are provided are generally good, accurate and comprehensive. Floor plans are not always provided but descriptions tend to be more accurate than most, allowing you to build a mental picture of the property. Art work is also very good.

The staff are professional in appearance and tend to treat you with respect and courtesy, although, after a short while, they tend to stop sending you stuff (even through email).

In terms of properties, Waterfalls tend to specialise in the mid-market £350-800k with a few below and above.

An excellent theme park for children with rides just slightly tamer than the likes of Chessington and Thorpe but with lower height restrictions meaning that kids around 1m tall will be able to go on all bar about 3 rides!

Queues on a Monday in August were minimal with the longest wait being 5 minutes.

Animal attractions were well maintained although clearly not the main focus!

At £17 or so entrance that was excellent value for money!

The food that’s available in park is not the healthiest but portions were good.

Loads of loos and all were clean although there was the usual UK problem of a lack of hand dryers!

Best suited to families and with kids under 10. well worth the trip!

The setting for the 2005 adaptation of “Pride & Prejudice” this National Trust-owned Palladian mansion is worth a visit. Brought back into a state of repair by the National Trust the house is full of wonderfully ornate plasterwork. The Octagon Room is unusual in a house of this nature and one could really imagine elegant parties taking place here.

The extensive grounds give plenty of space to walk, explore and play and the waymarked routes and children’s trail make it ideal for families.

The licensed restaurant has a children’s menu and offer’s reasonable value.

Stourhead is a great National Trust property and one in which you could happily spend the day. It’s one of the few trust properties with a pub…. say no more!

The house is not the reason you visit Stourhead (althought the collection of Chippendale (furniture, not men) might appeal), it is the gardens that will entice you. Set out in the mid 18th Century the gardens are an absolute delight set around a magnificent lake. As you explore expect to find follies and hidden wonders. The planting is varied and some unusual specimens can be found amongst more usual planting.

If you fancy a long walk (or a drive) then King Alfred’s tower is worth a visit. Climb to the top of this triangular tower to get a view of three counties!

St Michael’s Mount is a curiosity. Unless you like gardens or old buildings there’s little here to entice you, yet still the visitors come. Perhaps the pull is the fact that you can walk out to the island at low tide yet must take a boat if the tide is high. Perhaps it’s the fact that you can “cheat” the tide and paddle or wade inbetween times. Perhaps the view from the ramparts is the pull or the scent of the flowers. Perhaps it’s just the call of the island?

Whatever it is St Michael’s Mount continues to be popular, particularly on sunny summer days.

Owned by the National Trust one can go to the island (assuming you walk) free of charge but to enter the house and gardens you must pay.

There are a few tourist shops (craft and nicknacks), a cafe and icecream shop.

The paths on the island are steep and cobbled and so one needs sensible shoes!

If portraiture is your thing then a visit to Montacute is a must! This Elizabethan house incorporates a collection from the National Portrait Gallery from the Tudor and Elizabethan period.

There is also an amazing collection of tapestries, funature and textiles (including samplers) from the period.

There are formal gardens and longer signposted routes around the grounds. It’s worth climbing the hill to see the site of the old Norman Castle which now sites an 18th Century look-out.

The licenced restaurant is very good and represents incredible value. For those who prefer picnics there is a special area.

Owned by the National Trust you could couple this with a visit to Lytes Cary or Barrington House.

Lytes Cary Manor is a manor house with an arts and crafts style garden and is owned by the National Trust. The draw of this house is the fact that it belonged to medieval herbalist Henry Lyte and there is much information on his plant directory - Lytes Herbal.

The house extends beyond the walls and into a magnificent garden where hedges form outdoor rooms and, eventually, you are led from the formal to the riverside and lowland walks.

Topiary is evident throughout the garden and to be admired!

Light refreshments are available from the cafe and, in the summer, there are some great family events.

Couple a trip here with a trip to Barrington Court or perhaps Montacute House.

Why would you go to look at some steps? Well, rather like those who seek out Jacobs Ladder in Wales, Bedruthan Steps hold some mystique. Couple that with some absolutely amazing views along the Cornish Coastline and you have a tourist attraction!

The Bedruthan Steps are maintined by the National Trust and the steps all the way down to the beach have been rebuilt by the trust.

From a car park at the top of the cliffs it is a gentle walk at firt as you start to descend. Then, at the steps you begin to realise quite how high the cliffs are. The journey down is split into several legs and,as such, it is possible to descend and yet not reach the beach below. In fact, last time I visited I was heavily pregnant and gave up at the last stage, not because I couldn’t go any further at that point but because I was very mindful of the climb back up!

The beach below is not owned by the NT but is spectacular. One must be careful, however, as it is not a safe bathing beach and there’s a strong danger of being cut-off unexpectedly. The steps are the ONLY way back up! When you see the rocks you’ll appreciate the ease with whih one could be cut off!

Whilst the walk and climb are relatively easy the distance should not be underestimated and so this is not suitable for the unfit, elderly or very young.

Toilets and a concession cafe are available next to the car park - these are the only facilites and they are seasonal.

For spectacular views this location cannot be beaten - you might be though!

One of the most unusual buildings owned by the National Trust, this 16 sided property is a testament to English eccentricity! Built by two spinsters on their return from their “grand tour” in the 18th Century this building is bound to inspire and intrigue.

The guides here are amongst the best that the NT has to offer and they will guide you through the myraid of tiny rooms with enthusiasm in buckets!

The highlight of the tour is the shell room in the top of the property. This, for reasons of preservation, now has to be viewed through CCTV but you are able to control the camera and zoom in on anything that takes your fancy.

The tea-room in the basement of the property is well worth a visit and the food of excellent quality.

This is a small property and so groups can only be accommodated by arrangement. Bags must also be left in lockers at the start of the tour as the rooms are too small and fragile.