please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Don't take your children they are clearly not welcome. The draconion 'Child Policy' is posted in the window of the front door and doesn't extend the warm welcome expected. It's a shame this 'traditional country pub' didn't also post it on it's flashy website it would have saved my family the hours drive!
It might come as a surprise but not all parents want their children to be subjected to Brewers Faye. The 'traditional country pubs' I was lucky enough to be brought up in were a far cry from this. Mr Landlord you have lost sight of what you are aspiring to be.
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We have been using this great little pub for a good few years now, and must say that the improvements made by Giles are to his credit.
The staff, both kitchen and bar, are great fun and always give a genuine welcome.
As for "grumpy & rude" I would suggest you greet the staff and locals with a smile as opposed to the sniffy attitude of someone who is doing us the favor of comming to our beautiful little village.
Come in, join in, and enjoy the place for what it it, a REAL pub.
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Had Sunday lunch here recently. Beef was great, as was pint of Ranmore ale. Lovely setting.
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This used to be one of my favourite pubs. Formerly a Courage pub of great character. Bought by Mike and Linda S in the 80's and became a victim of its own success; you couldn't get in the place it was so packed! Great countryside, great walks and great location, just two miles walk from home. The latest owner, Giles, I had misjudged. He has invested well in the pub and it is now a great place to drink again after the rudeness of the previous landlord Mick D. His chucking out speach, "Right, I've had your money now f*** off," didn't really cut the mustard with my two lady companions at the time, although I should not speak too ill of the dead.
Excellent TEA, Shere Drop and other beers have been enjoyed here in recent weeks, well done Giles it has deservedly regained its popularity. Watch out for the rather limited opening hours though, it was supposed to open all day on Saturday for the summer, but last Saturday it was shut in the afternoon!
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Stopped for Sunday lunch. Had lovely fresh cod and wife had roast beef. Couple of pints of Surrey Hills Ranmore Ale and Shere Drop, what more do you want? Sunshine maybe, was a bit nippy in the garden. Agree that it's a wee bit expensive but found that the staff and locals didn't bite!
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Strange to say but I can agree with nearly all the differing opinions below. The pub is not at all welcoming in its design, the attitude of the staff and the regulars. That said, the food is normally good and the excellent range of beer is generally but not always in peak condition. It is a small atmospheric pub with a huge real fire that serves the local wealthy landowners and country folk well, but don't expect warm country hospitality.
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Good beer, nice location (pleasant walks nearby). Bar staff happy to take 'phone calls whilst customers are waiting - practising basic courtesy and introducing a little organization would much improve the experience of visiting this pub. No greeting, a 15 minute wait for a pint, and no idea of the order in which the few customers at the bar arrived suggest a careless and amateurish approach to service.
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Good beer. Nice location and a nice looking pub, but it seems that it's really just for the locals. I've been in maybe 6 times and always found the staff less than friendly.
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I quite like this pub its ok not great but alittle above average.My gripes with this place are the barstaff are a bit up themselves and the bloody locals who will not move away from the bar so you can get served they are quite rude really so localsadvice tell them please.
The beer is good and foods alright but on a sunny day its a pain to get a seat.
As for local pork i thought there were strong laws and reg`s on this?????
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Dear Biker
I suggest you take a look in the paddock at the rear of the car park where you will see the pigs that will soon be your Sunday lunch if you care to visit.
The criticisms that have been levelled I cannot answer. Much is often down to the attitude of the pub goer. Certainly I have seen some shockers visiting that pub and they really should be in Macdonalds or a harvester if they want that sort of service.....
All i know is that it is a very popular pub with a good mixture of locals, families, visitors , walkers , horse riders , fishermen, shooting and hunting people. They can't all be wrong and the return trade is very high.
As I said before. For relaxed friendly intelligent and non pushy pub goers it's a great place to eat and drink.
I rest my case..............
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Sorry my second use of the word 'rating' should have been 'review'.
Biker - 14 Jan 2008 10:09 |
localsadvice, welcome to the site, I see you joined today. As an ex local who grew up more or less in your area, my memories for the 'Billy' go back to the 'sixties' but my last visit was several years ago so I'll not be leaving a rating with this rating. To put it simply, some visits were good, most not so ! If it has improved, answer some of the previous negative reviews with specific descriptions of what has actually changed. If it's of any help, click on usernames and you'll see where others have been and what they've said about other pubs. ps truly local pubs rarely have home grown pork ! That Sir is bull**** !
Biker - 14 Jan 2008 10:06 |
Great Pub !
Real home cooked food, wide range of beers and wines, even their own home grown pork.
The new dining room and kitchen have added to the ambience and allows diners to be away from the bar but still part of the fun !
Large front garden is good for outdoors dining when weather permits.
It's a down to earth place, no pretences or fawning.
Those who appreciate a truly local pub a great log fire and a no bullsh#t approcah should pop in for a beer and a meal.
Those with an inflated sense of their own importance are fully catered for in other Surrey pubs nearby and should probably keep driving !
This is a rare find and worth a visit.
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I live locally and went went there a day or so ago with a friend. The landlord and his friends were monopolising the very small bar. When I was waiting for my drinks order I was told in no uncertain terms that I was standing by the entrance to the bar. No please would I move--just "excuse me this is the bar entrance".I said I was waiting for my drinks and all I got was a grumpy look and a muttered "Well--". This was I think the landlord--Jeremy?-- for you.
No welcome at all at any time and barely a thank you when we left.
Food sub-standard--beer good but I will not set foot in this pub again. Much better and more welcoming pubs around this area.
anonymous - 15 Nov 2007 10:37 |
Expectations were high, following good write ups in both the Good Beer and East Surrey Pub Guides. The reality was a huge disappointment. Beer range excellent - but the normally reliable Ranmore Ale was below par - and although not bad it was certainly not good. A pretty exterior, the bar is pleasant enough but the dining area is totally lacking in ambience and actually quite a depressing place to sit - not in the least bit cosy or welcoming.
The food was the biggest let down. Our Sunday roasts could not possibly have been carved on the premises (unless they used a bacon slicer on the thinnest setting) Four "wafers" of beef covered in an obviously processed gravy with a ready made Yorkshire placed on top. It was reminiscent of one of those "Fray Bentos" pre-prepared dinners of distant memory. Compared to many other pubs in the vicinity, the food was really second rate. The ghastly spectre of school dinners sprang into mind!
A great shame, I really hope things improve.
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A traditional country pub with classic toilets! A really nice spot to site outside in good weather. "Sheer drop" ale is very good indeed. Don't rate the steak and kidney pie though, pretty poor in fact. They seem to be building an extension (Dining room maybe?) at the back.
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The locals are a bit too friendly. Smelly farmer started chatting up my wife
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Popped in for a swift one or two as they sell the full range of Surrey Hills beers, plus others. The Ranmore Ale was in very good form.
Locals pub, all of a sudden after 5.30 opening time a steady stream of punters fill the car park. Barmaid pleasant so no problem with the previously reoprts of unfriendliness.
Did not try the food but may do so in the future as would return there with more time.
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Stopped off on my own, this place is quaint & welcomming,One downside is the bar flies don`t move for you, but dont let that put you off.Good range of local beers & food good.
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Yes, the owner guy was pretty grumpy and unwelcoming. But the pub itself is adorable, down a little dirt country road. Definitely worth a visit!
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I find the staff a bit unfriendly, but the food is fantastic...The steak and kidney pie one of the best in Surrey in our view.. The pub is pretty good too if you like small quaint pubs
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Rather small pub which has some excellent real ales. However, the food is not good value for money and the staff not very accomodationg
anonymous - 28 Mar 2006 19:24 |
