please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This is a fab country pub, beautiful setting, great beer garden, service was great and the food was lovely, rather exepnsive but the portion was large so can share between two!
|
Popped in on Sunday evening for a quick pint. Nice pint of Tangle foot went down a treat. Place was empty so good time to go for a quiet drink! Yep, it is a little basic around the edges but it's an original country pub. Always worth a visit in summer due to the stunning location. Have eaten here in the past and have not been disappointed!
|
Off the beaten track, looks good and popped in for Sunday lunch. Friendly bar staff and landlord but food a disappointment. Unless you order sandwiches or something fried, the helpings are minute. I had the crab-meat salad, he had the last of the beef carvery. For £10.95 I expected more crab, less salad. It must have been the smallest portion ever. As for the roast beef and gravy, it was salty with soggy pots and veg and yorkshire pudding looking sorry for itself. Some of the other diners with steak sandiwiches/cheese boards fared better so maybe we chose wrong however, on mentioning my disappointment, the Landlord quickly invited us back on another day for a free lunch each on him! Can't say fairer than that. As for the drinks, good price, good selection of ales and try the HoffBrau lager. Nice and freshing on a Sunday afternoon. Will be popping back though.
|
A great place to catch the last rays of Autunm sun, sitting on the benches at the front of the pub nursing at pint of Fursty Ferret.
|
Its seems litlle bit sad, that here is many comments about how expensive food is in volunteer, but for fresh fish, and everythnig else homemade from scratch it is not expensive at all. then comapre to the other pubs where you get a frozen half way ready meal, for same price! thats why volunteer always will have busy times, because people know that they get briliant always fresh nicely cooked meal, for normal price. and if you want to have a jacket potato, or packet of crisps you can go anywhere else,no? lovely staff, beautifull wiew, cosy inside and they have lovely fire places in winter time. highly recomended
|
I remember this pub for years back when we used to visit on a Saturday or a Sunday with the dogs, having a massive ploughmans and the dogs by our feet with their own bowl of biscuits. Having visited recently and taking lunch, the menu has been michellined somewhat - more expensive but good fare, but no ploughmans!!!!! Still very welcoming and very busy at the weekend, get there before midday at the weekend to get a seat!!!!!!
|
I live in the area and visit here at least two or three times a month and prefer it over many of the other pubs in the area, especially the Hatch's.
While the range of beers and lagers is not as wide as other pubs I have found them to be well kept and quaffable.
The food I find is above standard. There is a standard menu and a range of specials on the board. In the two years I have been coming here I think I have only had one poor meal. I must admit, never having gone there for a sandwich or jacket, I never noticed that they weren't on the menu. I'll check next time I'm there.
The inside has not been 'refurbished' and I like it, although it could do with a spruce up! Why is there a fish bowl, with fish, on the bar??
The outside seating is the best in the area, the garden is superb and we too love the silhouette of the horse on the hill opposite!
The bar staff are pleasant and efficient.
Laugh at the cyclists.
anonymous - 28 Sep 2006 10:38 |
We like going here, cozy in the winter and Cedrics vinyl night rocks, great in the summer for eating outside watching all those squeaky townies doing the country thing, jolly host, ridiculous no smoking in the only room with a fireplace but who cares, we can sit outside and watch the horse on the hill.
|
Disappointed in the real pub food, not even a jacket potato or a nice cheese sandwich. I would go somewhere else for food, but maybe OK for a drink.
|
Is it just me or are other people sick of complaints about the standard of food, food service, food pricing etc in pub reviews? If you don't like the food in a pub, go to a bloody restaurant!! Pubs are for drinkers not food freaks. If you really have to have more than a bag of crisps in a pub, buy another bag. This is a cosy, quiet (most of the time) country pub where you can unwind with a pint and a couple of friends. Love it.
|
Posted by Anonymous 6 June 2006
"Very glad that some people wouldn't recommend it, as it keeps it a bit quieter for the punters who recognise what a good pub is"
Well said and appropriate for this pub and custom.
Can we have a little less emotive negativity in the reviews and more constructive objectivity - in particular, publish under our usernames and say what the good and bad points actually are ? If some think 'mud sticks' - wrong.
ps hope they still do those fantastic fish dishes that usually cost me an arm and leg!
Biker - 25 Jun 2006 14:29 |
Strange that 'Beersupper' and 'Anonymous' have the same poor typing style. Best you stay in Wonersh if this pub annoys you so much!
anonymous - 8 Jun 2006 20:55 |
Dont log on here often but thought i would come back on to see if the landlord or a member of staff would respond to the comment of Beersupper(1stJune)They have see 6th june didn`t take long.Dont get on here talking a good pub do it & quick to this one.This place is awful used to be best in area not any more.If you leave here dont stop at the Abinger Hatch as that is awful as well.
anonymous - 8 Jun 2006 17:59 |
Cracking traditional pub that constantly serves good bitter and great food. The inside is traditionally styled and hasn't been 'fashionably' refurbished. The staff are polite and friendly. The garden is one of the best in the area. Very glad that some people wouldn't recommend it, as it keeps it a bit quieter for the punters who recognise what a good pub is.
anonymous - 6 Jun 2006 12:48 |
Not been here for a while the best i can say about this place is it looks good from the outside.On entering the interior looks very dated i did wrong i ordered a pint of lager great choice as they only have one sort,yes i know this is a Hall & Woodhouse pub but one lager & not a well known one at that come on.Sorry can not recommend this place (would to some one i didn`t like)
|
Eaten here twice in the last month and the food has been good and well presented. The beer is also good. The service is very good with the girls giving table service if it is quiet. Great garden and location.
anonymous - 3 Apr 2006 16:55 |
It's a little time since I was last here and it seems to have improved judging by (some) previous entries.
To the tourist, just follow the old A25 out of Guildford towards Dorking and turn right just past the Abinger clock (mechanical man walking out and hitting bell !!). It's on your left about 1 mile along. The setting is fabulous and hopefully they still do fantastic fish dishes. However, beware, they charge like an angry rhino!!
Biker - 24 Mar 2006 14:29 |
A nice pub in the Surrey Hills that I would recommend for a nice lunch on a sunny Sunday. Food was nice and the beer really good. Definitely a nice place to have a walk followed by a pint - the scenery here (both landscape and organic) is absolutely lovely. Children appear to be welcome too.
|
Food and drink overpriced - as per usual with the Hall & Woodhouse chain. Cluttered and not particularly pleasant interior, but it is worth visiting once a year, to have a drink or two outside - a small stream runs past the front, with a pleasant view to the west.
|
I returned to the UK recently for a visit and my Mum was keen to re-visit this pub as she had fond memories of previous visits. Through this website I was able to find The Volunteer again and although the recent 'reviews' were not impressive we decided to visit for lunch with family. We had a very pleasant lunch - enjoyable food, good beer and the other patrons, some obviously regulars, appeared happy. Agreed some of the staff seemed to have limited English...but hey...isn't that the global world we live in these days...and patience & tolerance go a long way!!
Overall a pleasant experience in lovely surroundings - even though it was 'summer' and there was a light drizzle of rain!!. I was grateful the visit lived up to my Mum's expecations as she was dying from cancer and recently passed away.
|
ok, ok, a nice old guy owns he pub, and he is a nice old guy, and yes I was truly impressed by the caliber of the female staff but still none of my friend have visited the pub, I also mention that I work for a company with over 350,000 employees worldwide some of which have heard of my experience.
I will say again, I still have a little bitter spot on my tongue following my experience at this pub, less so than before, but still not happy visiting again.
A true shame as the surroundings are beautiful.
|
I have worked here for a while now. Only 3/4 of The staff can speek perfect english, The food is normaly good but the chips are often over cooked. The land lord is a fine gentleman just a bit old. The country side is lovely, waitresses have a nice arse
anonymous - 22 Aug 2005 18:03 |
I would highly recommend this pub. I had an evening meal here with friends recently and enjoyed both the picturesque setting and the warm welcome. I thought the food was of a high quality and the service was excellent. This is how a surrey countryside pub should be!
|
A charming countryside pub, I visited today with four close friends, we ordered to table 71 from the menu, two steak sandwiches and three beef pies, we waited for the food and when it arrived we had two steak pies, two sandwiches yet no cutlery we waited for five minutes, then a friend fetched the waitress for some knives and forks which actually arrived, I asked the waitress where the third beef pie was and she looked puzzled, I can only guess the waitress then left and asked the chef to cook the missing dish but after waiting another 15 minutes and after my friends had all finished their meals I had to say something. I do not usually complain and if a complaint is dealt with properly I would not have gone to the trouble of finding this well managed pub review web page and write all this, I asked for a refund, I received my money and a receipt for the refund to add to the memory, the bar tender that received my complaint, which was conducted amicably, did not apologise nor offer some compensation, instead it was a simple transaction with no relation to customer conveyed, I therefore score the pub a dismal “0” in light of poor service and inability to meet CTQs.
I have a wide circle of friends who along with myself will not visit again.
A real shame.
|
Not impressed! We waited an age for a simple ploughman's lunch. It was simple too, consisting of miserly portions presented without much imagination making the price vastly expensive for what we got.
It gets 1 point from me owing to its charming setting but I shan't be coming back.
|
Great place! I go there nearly every Sunday as you can sit outside and watch the world go by...confuse the (very patient) Landlord by moving your table and bar tab! Food is sometimes a bit hit and miss but always a relaxing place to be. Cheap ish wine and decent puddings..top stuff!
|
Had two trips there recently - both times good service despite being almost full. Beer very good both times, food excellent first time, not so good second time. I can only assume that they either have different chefs or have changed them. Still well worth a look though.
|
I loved this place. Could have been the weather helped. Beautiful views from the garden. The food was excellent. Not your average pub "grub" (and therefore priced accordingly). I would definitely recommend it, especially if you're showing a visitor around the countryside, its so typically English.
Liz - 26 Jul 2004 13:29 |
superb country feel, from a well run (priced for value) pub. The staff were very friendly, more than happy to have a laugh. Food was hot! and in good time. Even the rain adds to the experience of a true countrified pub.
|
This is a nice country pub that serves good beer but sadly is let down by overpriced luke warm food. Have a drink then move on to eat.
Pete G - 25 Sep 2003 18:31 |
Unfortunately my experience was rather dissapointing. The drinks were fine but rather expensive but when it came to the food we were very dissapointed. Four meals were ordered which arrived cold and without veg. Very expensive, so sorry, we won't be going there again.
Steve - 25 Sep 2003 16:15 |
Had the pleasure of spending a glorious Saturday lunchtime at the Volunteer at the height of the summer, sitting in the sunshine eating the BEST fish and chips I have had outside the Magpie Cafe in Whitby - a really lovely spot!
Sue C-W. - 23 Sep 2003 13:49 |
A pretty little place which looks lovely from the outside
anonymous - 8 Sep 2003 21:57 |
One of my regular pubs, this is very nice for relaxing outside in the evening. Really nice staff, great selection of beer and (suprisingly) wine and good food. This really is a good pub.
Richard - 10 Jul 2003 09:23 |
Very good traditional country pub near dorking. Views across the very picturesque valley, large garden and great food. On the walking and biking trails with a welcoming feel. Will definately be going back.
Ben Stokey - 11 Mar 2003 14:24 |
