please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
If enough people visited this pub on their bikes, wore hiking boots and then requested free glasses of water and plates of chips, it might push the landlady over the edge and hopefully result in her being carted off to the "happy (no pun intended) House". Genuine Fawlty Towers stuff.
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"why doesn't they install a water fountain outside so the cyclists and walkers can get their free drink. Sadly the cyclists and walkers are not spenders but they expect the free use of the facilities of a pub."
Read the reviews - it was mainly people in groups having meals, often with children, who were complaining at not being provided with water on request. Few of these arrive on bicycles. The walkers and cyclists coming to the Plough seem to drink lots of pints of more expensive fluids.
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Thought it looked like a post-office with a letterbox outside..! Most of this pub's customers are probably walkers of cyclists, if they don't like it they should not work there... Pathetic.
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Totally agree with the last comments walkers and bicylcists are generally a pain in the harris (not all agreed) they go to a pub have a packet of crisps glass of the thames best and think they rule the roust.Some are very considerate others not worth a flying fig
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lolo9801, you are correct, most customers are not valued by most landlords hence the rubbish service received by many who pay their wages !
Professional landlords value every customer because they have the necessary skills to manage the less desirable sorts that emerge from all levels of society.
A free drink of water ?, I would give them free plastic beakers as well because they would reurn for those special occasions when go somewhere other than our local for an evening out.
Biker - 27 Jun 2008 13:08 |
I know local people that have told them about the bad reviews for the pub and were told to F@*k off. This pub is goldmine so why doesn't they install a water fountain outside so the cyclists and walkers can get their free drink. Sadly the cyclists and walkers are not spenders but they expect the free use of the facilities of a pub. I can understand why she gets angry but I think she should be able to identify the genuine customers. Before all the cyclists and walkers start a hissy fit, I ran a very sucessful country pub for years and can assure you that the majority were not valued customers.
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When next in the area i will call in and try the local spring water and dine out on a plate of chips ,i will also be wearing body armour,a jock and crash helmet.
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The last reviewer (thepubvisitor) has given a wide explanation as to why so few people now visit pubs. Within this explanation also lies the reason why so many country pubs have closed and why so many more will go to the wall in the future. Conclusion; the previous review ahould be read by all landlords and managers of pubs and.....restaurants !
Biker - 15 Jun 2008 08:42 |
The Plough really seems to divide opinion. It has its plus points, mainly its wonderful location, and until a year or so ago, the fact that the landlord brewed his own beer. Although this was a hit or miss affair, you really want to like a pub where this happens. I brought some friends from North America here and they loved the place, and still rave about it.
So far so good then? No, not really. The beer is extremely expensive (even when they brewed their own, and with no transport costs or third party margins, it was 15-20% more than other local pubs), and the pub is a free house and can therefore negotiate great deals with suppliers.
The pub is in a renowned walking and cycling area, therefore these are the customers who will be supporting the pub. So why not welcome them, let them have a free glass of water before they spend large amounts of money on food and drink? Surely anone with business sense must realise this. You are not going to get all your trade out here from the Gatwick Airport brigade staying the night, which is what at times the landlady appears to crave for.
Most of the pub is given over to restaurant, which is rarely full. Drinkers must use the rather cramped bar, and when this is full they are not allowed to use the restaurant tables, even at time when food is not served.
The pub fire is also seldom on, even in winter. Please, the owners must move on and make this one of the top pubs in southern England. At the moment it is in the basement.
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My rate for this pub is 8.
The Plough is a very nice, clean and relaxing coutry pub, and the food is excellent. The bar service is one of the best i have seen in what concerns to deal with people. The Landlord is absolutely charming and friendly as well as the bar maid. I have not met the Landlady. With our meal and wine, we had 2 pint of tap water, and nobody charged it from us... anyway, we would have paid for it if they asked us... after all, they only charge £0.50 and the service is very good. Maybe they just need another member of staff to ease the pressure.
We will go back next weekend!
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Biker, relax.
At the risk of spoiling 5555’s fun I think he is trying to wind up the landlady by getting more people to go in and ask for the ‘local’ water. My guess is that she also refuses to serve chips on their own.
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Stopped in here while on a walk to Leith Hill. Ringwood Best, Old Thumper, Boondoggle plus Spitfire and Landlord (went off when I asked for one). Boondoggle was lovely, also had the Biddenden cider which was almost clear and a bit sweet.
Nice bar, funny chairs with short backs. Landlady although maybe a little curt seemed to be dealing with the regulars ok. Leith Hill beers haven't been brewed for 10 months because the brewer has been ill, wish him well.
As I didn't encounter the problems listed by others I have to give this pub an 8.
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Interesting, username 5555 joined this site in September 2006 and writes his / her one and only review for this pub in May 2008 !
When it's read in conjunction with other reviews before and since, b - - - s - - - appears to abound at the feet of the Surrey Hills !
No rating left as it's over a year since our last visit and it was fine then. Visitors, this village is on the edge of some fabulous countryside and scenery. Don't forget to visit St Martha's church near the village of Albury if you're in the area.
Biker - 15 May 2008 14:35 |
The whole place looked like it could do with a good clean, it didn't give you a good feel about what was going to come out of the kitchen. The food was expensive, ok but nothing special. The staff didn't know what they were doing, we were asked at least twice after we placed our order whether or not we were ready to order.
Wouldn't go back
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I went into this pub for the first time today. I had just been walking around the beautiful countryside and my friend and I decided to go for a beer. The pub looked lovely and welcoming. How wrong were we! There was no one in the bar - we waited for ages and realised that the landlady was just sitting there watching tv. Ok, maybe she had not heard us talking at the bar. So we politely asked her if she could serve us and wish we hadn't bothered. She was so unfriendly to us. I decided to have a beer and when I asked her if I could try the Landlord (I think thats the one) beer she told me in a most unpleasant manner that it was not possible as beer is far too expensive. Ok fine. So I asked her if she could recommend one for me as I'd not tried any of the beers on there before. She simply told me she didn't drink beer and to make up my mind. Excuse me if I'm wrong but part of the beer culture in country pubs is trying it. I had not seen the sign about the water and asked if I could have a glass and she pretty much shouted at me for having the nerve to ask for a glass of tap water. I will never go there again. Why the hell would you have a pub if you hate people so much? It seems that I'm not the only one whos taken the wrath of her. Its such a shame as the pub itself is lovely in such a beautiful setting.
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A rare find. Aside from the tipple, this pub is known for serving fabulous local spring water and the best chips in the land. Be sure and start off by ordering both!
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After a long walk (and admittedly getting very lost!) we stumbled upon this pub and were relieved to read the menu board which sounded great although pricey.
However, we were barely halfway through our drinks when the landlady had already been incredibly unpleasent and rude to TWO different groups of people and we simply didn't want to stay there and give them our custom. She seems to unaware of the meaning of the word hospitality and didn't seem at all suited to the role of country village landlady.
I won't go back. Expensive and they don't deserve my money.
AShep - 18 Apr 2008 14:16 |
I came here to post a negative review fully expecting it to be in the minority, I'm sad to see it's a common occurrence.
We stumbled into the pub at lunchtime last weekend after a snowy walk up at Leith Hill. The pub was packed with walkers and cyclists, there were a couple of dogs and a roaring fire. The decor was typical and welcoming. The landlady, however, was not.
Asking for a hot-chocolate received short-shrift: "not when we're busy", so I modified our order to two cokes. Adding a cauliflower soup I was presented with the cost, I handed my card and was told "you can't pay on card", so I raised my eyebrows - I had no cash on me. She deigned to accept my Maestro but for a 70p charge. In doing so she barked at the barman next to her to charge all cards under £10 the 70p fee. Eventually I submitted my pin and took a seat.
I should say at this point that the soup was jolly nice when it arrived and that it was a little cheeky to ask for a hot chocolate in a pub.
Country pubs are not Starbucks, I accept that and, having grown-up in a small village in Kent with a pub that has had to adapt I know that drink driving laws and the smoking ban have taken their toll on revenues. Village pubs MUST adapt and The Plough benefits from being in a glorious walking area with plenty of business by the looks of things. What puts people off however is shoddy service and it simply isn't that difficult to improve. On the surface of it the service is polite here: a fixed grin and smatterings of 'please' and 'thank-you' cannot hide some customer experience calamaties though. Charging a fee for card transactions is unacceptable; there was a time when CREDIT CARD transactions cost businesses a percentage fee but these days the decline in cash usage means that you simply have to accept that people, especially arriving on impulse will expect to pay, without penalty, on card.
Secondly, this preposterous 'tap water' argument: I saw her lovely laminated sign which ranted that tap water wasn't free. Well, technically no it might not be but what price a bit of hospitality? The negative effect of charging hugely offsets the pennies they'll recoup from charging people. Look at these reviews for example.
Whilst I concur that the halogen-lit gastro-pub is a disappointing trend in hospitality, the fact remains that any place where the slavish adherence to outmoded principles will ultimately die whereas an establishment that embraces a new customer-centric approach and retains the authentic character (for the two are not at-odds) would thrive.
So come-on, focus on relaxing the rules a bit, welcome drop-in trade, offer free tap water and promote the excellent soup and authentic pub experience.
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I've been in this pub several times and always liked it, esp. the well-kept Biddendens. However when I called in today I was driven out into the rather cold garden by the very loud music blaring indoors. Do many of the people who come out to this quiet spot out in the woods in mid-afternoon come for loud music?
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Whilst I agree with supporting freehouses, I feel that Wonderkind is missing the point. I have visited the Plough several times solely because of the micro brewery but each time we have encountered blantant rudeness from the landlady and extremely poor customer service from the staff. The landlady is pushing good business out of her door by her attitude so why should people support this freehouse. There are far more welcoming freehouses in the local area where our custom is appreciated. By the way I am not Freddie or any other banned customer
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What a great pub in a fantastic setting, but we must agree with previous comments made about the landlady. We stopped for a quick pint and were treated with incredible rudeness, that cannot be excused as mere abruptness. A certain curtness is forgivable with such a stressful job, however to treat new customers with absolute contempt and distain (when simply asking for a paper tissue, the landlady was downright rude, despite in the next minute, being charming to obvious locals.) can only alienate a paying public. We pay over the odds, not just for a pint, but for the atmosphere that comes with it. We will not be recommending this pub to anyone.
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To reply to the rant below from the owners:
Again I repeat it's extremely bad form for a proper pub to charge for tap water. I have never seen it in all my years visiting pubs
The vast majority of restaurants will not charge for it either - as long as you are buying their drinks as well (I wouldn't dream of just asking for water and not buying a round)
This is called good customer service. Often places that have a good reputation and service will flourish, whilst places like yours will be struggling.
There is of course a problem with pubs surviving, and the appearance of the chains everywhere. I for one always try and support freehouses - but not if they don't give good customer service.
I review on this site often, and most of my reviews are positive. I was researching pubs in this area as we are due to visit relatives soon.
You have simply lost money from my pocket and all others reading this website with your attitude
Shame on YOU for mentioning immigration in your reply - you and your attitude are what's wrong with this country not immigrants!
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Much like all the other pub reviews on this site, the vast majority of comments made are negative...some are made by banned customers (yes Freddie, we know you are a regular here with your multiple accounts).
As sad an inditement this may be of a persons character (after all, who nowadays really has the time, especially a father of 2), pubs are an endangered breed, the Plough is one of only 57 pubs in the country that have their own brewery, and one of a rapidly diminishing breed of Free Houses.
What was England, is slowly fading away, as our pubs struggle to survive, and young people are forced to leave the country unable to get a foot on the property ladder, plus overwhelming immigration. Most people it seems who have felt moved (the genuine commenters that is Freddie), to comment here, may have genuine concerns, but this is a real Pub, and those who expect a McDonalds only need to travel a few miles down the road....but I don't think that they would have any success, even at Maccy D's, in getting a free water.
Meanwhile, as our nation seems to expect catering businesses to follow a regimented code, to be 'themed', any character, or uniqueness, is flushed away, by halogen lit 'trendy' pre packaged gastro chains.
The Plough is a REAL pub. They DO serve water, but only if you are eating. If not, then they have a nice 500 Ml sports bottle for a £1...thankyou very much. Can't say fairer than that really....try going to a restaurant, a cinema, a newsagents..or even as I said before, a McDonalds and ordering only a glass of water.
Real pubs are closing at a rate of 60 a month due to crippling business taxes, alcohol taxes and stealth taxes. This is a FACT...
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=58285
All you whingers, who would never dream of asking for a glass of water in a restaurant, have only yourselves to blame.
Support your Pub NOW, else LOSE what is rapidly becoming the last vestige of English Cultural tradition.
No wonder so many despair of England.
Shame on you.
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I would have liked to visit & stay at this pub this summer.
But after the negative comments of 'tap_water' below (presumably from the owners) I wouldn't give them my money.
It's extremely bad form to charge for tap water, I've never heard of a pub doing it. (Occasionally restaurants do)
I often get a pint of water with a round of beers, to keep hydrated and stave off that hangover.I urge everyone to boycott this pub and over turn this mean minded policy
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We stayed at this pub for a night in January. It was not a good experience and our experience seems similar to many other comments posted here. I wish I had checked this site first, rather than the guide books this pub seems to appear in. Specifically:
- Poor value for money. The room was very average, up a tight set of stairs (I know it is an old building, but people that rent rooms do have suitcases), and expensive, even compared to normal poor value UK hotels and inns. We didn't eat very much (see below) but were charged £7 a head for an average bowl of soup and a roll as a late supper.
- Unhelpful landlady, too complicated to explain here, but I do not think this lady realises she is working in a service industry. After a couple of conversations with her, we decided to eat elsewhere.
On the positive side
- some of the locals on the other side of the bar are very friendly!
- It is close to Gatwick airport!!
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Plain, friendly pub in a fine location and with good beer (Oakleaf Holehearted).
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OK let's clear one thing up.
The law requires establishments that serve food to provide tap water if requested. However, that same tap water CAN be legally charged for.
Why should a pub with expensive overheads not charge for tap water? After all, the water is metered and is filtered and chilled, it requires time and staff to serve it, the glass needs collecting and washing. A proportion of glasses will get broken or go missing. Further, the pub needs heating, business rates and other taxes must be paid, repair bills must be met and staff paid.
From my personal experience of many years behind the bar, the type of people who ask for tap water are a) generally women, b) tight, c) up-tight and d) think the world owes them a living. Get over yourselves.
Thousands of pubs are going out of business and all you care about is how you expected something for nothing and when you were reasonably asked to contribute toward it, having a hissy fit and bleating on about it in forums like this.
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This pub should have it all!
Great local beers, its own microbrewery, the best location in Surrey and an almost endless queue of walkers, ramblers and cyclists trying to get in. Most landlords would love this situation.
BUT
I visited with my wife and another couple and 2 small children (well behaved ones at that!) and while my beer was excellent my Sunday Roast was laughable - I have not seen such a dismal roast since 1980!
I fail to see how the people running this pub cannot see what is happening. Being sent to the barn I understand - before I had kids I couldn't stand them in pubs.
But, if you serve wafer thin beef and what's even worse the cheapest, nastiest fish fingers for the kids and then top it off by not allowing paying (and I think that is the key point here) customers not have a glass of water then you don't deserve repeat visits.
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We were also refused 2 glasses of tap water - having bought a round of drinks and lunch for 4 people. The landlady (we think, as she refused to tell who the landlord/manager was!) was extremely rude and informed that as they had to pay water rates they would not supply drinking water.
We will never go back there and will encourage others to avoid it - we wonder if the tiny cost of 2 glasses of water was really worth creating this ill-will.
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This pub refused to serve tap water free of charge.
This may seem petty but I believe that it should be followed up, particularly as the pub is the only place in an area for bikers and hikers to get water. It was particularly irritating in our case as we had just ordered £60 worth of meals and £20 of beers/wines. To then be refused a pint of tap water was not only rude but as I understand it is breaking the by law which states that public houses and inns must serve tap water free of charge.
I might add that with one half of the pub was sectioned for the bar, and the other half for dining, the bar section was heaving and over crowded, while the dining section had tumble weeds blowing through, but the landlady zealously guarded her dining area leaping forth like a rottweiler every time some misguided patron ventured towards the seats in that area. Thus several people had to stand outside in the cold to drink their pints as there was no room in the bar section.
What a shame such a lovely pub with relatively good food should have such an unpleasant owner.
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I note the mixed reviews and complaints about food, service, etc. Visited as a stop off during a walk, didn't eat but had a decent enough pint of Crooked Furrow. Found the barman personable and friendly. In my view a worthy venture simply for brewing their own beers which from my one off experience tasted fine and was well looked after. In reality a brave and laudable venture in such an off the beaten track location. I possibly need to return on a busier day to test out the service more.
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Coming as I do from Central London with it's homogonised and sterile chain pubs and bars, the Plough Inn is a refreshing change. Set in idyllic English countryside and with a traditional, welcoming feel, it's a perfect setting for a get away from it all lunch or dinner
The menu was imaginative and extensive and the food way above the norm. A good range of ales and wine to choose from to accompany our meal
Those who think the staff (and the landlady, who I found to be completely charming) are rude have obviously never had the misfortune to be served in any number of establishments in greater London where the merest acknowledgement of your presence can be considered a bonus, with corteous good service completely out of the question. I wouldn't expect to be offered free beverages in any establishment so why would I expect a free glass of water here? Good pubs are dying out in this country and patrons should remember that overheads are real issues for people trying to make a living. The water has to be fetched by staff and the glasses have to be collected and washed. You wouldn't expect a free milkshake in MacDonalds, but perhaps you'd be more at home there if you think the Plough is anything other than a perfectly delightful country pub!
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Really sad that the management/owners of this pub do not take on board the comments made by their cutomers. I have been witness to at least five complaints about the quality of the food, drinks and the service. The Eastern European bar staff are extremely rude and possess absolutely no customer service skills. We no longer use The Plough as there are far better pubs a few miles away.
anonymous - 14 Oct 2007 19:59 |
Called on Sunday evening having been walking. The Leith Hill beers were not to my personal liking, we had a taster of the Hoppily Ever After and found it very smokey (post ban?) so settled for the reasonable but not exciting Crooked Furrow. The glass of Merlot was described as 'dead in the bottle' despite seeing a new bottle opened and the food at about £12 each was ordinary and well overpriced.
Never met the landlady and had good service from the lad behind the bar. Decor in the restaurant leaves a lot to be desired. Other than those drinking in the garden, we were last to leave (at about 9.10) which gave the whole place an empty feeling.
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When I visited this pub earlier in the week I was disappointed. I ordered a pint from the pub's own Leith Hill brewery, Hoppily Ever After, it tasted very vinegary, when I queried if it was supposed to taste like this I was told it was, and it was suggested I add a dash of lemonade to take the bitterness away. The second beer I tried, Crooked Furrow was fine, but the third, a dark porter, Tallywhacker, was also vinegary, certainly unlike any porter I've ever tasted. Maybe the water they use to clean the lines or brew the beer is the problem, as I was told they would not refil my water bottle (essential for walkers). The Polish bar maid inplied the tap water was not fit for drinking and tried to sell me bottled water. However, the tap water, I obtained from the gents tasted fine.
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Great pub, slightly moody staff but they seem ok to me, if you ignore that the food is excellent and so is the beer, really great location too. Lovely unspoilt pub.
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The hosts and chef when we arrived were very hospitable, although she was a bit brusque and reserved but no problems there. However, their website's claim to be a gastropub is exaggerated. Our meal was average. In the morning the breakfast requested for 8am was late and spoilt by burnt sausages. The room we stayed in was clean, pleasant and there are good walks and scenery nearby, but the restaurant carpet hadn't been vacuumed for days and there were crumbs on the tables. In the morning the bar was a mess with left over drinks, pizza and overflowing ashtrays. Rather offputting. The beer was good but expensive.
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May have the world's most annoying website. Just because you can use Flash for everything, doesn't mean you should!
anonymous - 26 Nov 2006 10:55 |
I am not surprised to find that the reviews of this pub are overwhelmingly positive, except for the terseness of the landlady.
Rick's home-brewed ales - and those from elsewhere - are excellent and well-kept. The food - though in my personal experience variable - can be superb and seems to receive continuously rave reviews. It is a beautiful pub in an idyllic location, and is equally appealing to all ages and types, not just ramblers.
Rick is a very friendly and convivial host, but this has been off-set on a number of occasions by Anna's curtness, often at the pettiest of things. She's always been fine with me, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of the people who have suffered a disproportionate tongue-lashing from her never returned. I appreciate that she works hard, is nearing retirement and needs to be firm with those who do take the mickey by consuming their own food in the pub etc. But there is a fine line between firmness and rudeness and sometimes, I feel she has crossed it, and been unreasonable.
However, this would not prevent me from going back, simply because it is a minor negative amidst a pool of positives.
One thing's for sure, it won't be the same when the Abreharts leave.
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Hi one and all...we were staying at the Plough on Friday for two nights....we had a fantastic stay, the surrounding area is beautiful, our room was just gorgeous! The Landlord and Lady were charming, kind and courteous, we ate there on the friday evening and the food was absolutely wonderful....I had the confit of duck! My husband is a real ale man, and he is still raving about the beers. There seems to be some negative comments in the other reviews...I experienced none of these, I have to say it was one of the best puns I have been to, and I will be definitely coming back for more!!
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I have been a patron of this public house for many years, and would say that I visit this establishment on average once every three months. In my opinion it is an excellent establishment, a free house, with character and great care taken in every aspect of the running of the place. Always spotlessly clean, excellent homemade food, and the real ales are fantastically kept...especially Rick's (the landlord) homemade ales, which he brews in a microbrewery behind the barn.
Having read through these comments, I would say that some of these postings are unduly harsh...Rick and Anna are a great couple, and deserve their time off (Anna being of retirement age and Rick not far off). Having been a publican myself many moons ago, I understand just what a stressful business this is, having the highest known divorce and seperation rate of any industry. The hours are excrutiatingly long, and what with the plough also being a 4 star AA rated B and B, I am not surprised that either Rick or Anna are around sometimes..has anyone considered that Rick may be brewing (a time consuming process) or that Anna is most probably cleaning rooms and helping out in the kitchen.
Anna is known for being sharp, she suffers no fools gladly, and in this business, this is a tool that is most needed, I have had first hand experience of people bringing their own food and drink to my old establishment, and seen it many a time while using the Plough, it being a popular haunt for walkers and ramblers. The basic premise is this....under no circumstances should anyone in a public house order water and expect it for free unless you are ordering food. Also please remember, that Free Houses are an endagered breed...of course chain pubs can afford to loosen the purse strings somewhat, but a sole business owner of a free house has many bills to burden, including the raised water bills and business tax.
All in all, I amy be biased having known Rick and Anna at the Plough for many years now, but I feel that this is a gem of a pub...you won't find many more like it, and if you expect different...well, there are many chain pubs to choose from, that sell shoddily kept beers, and pre packaged foods. For me, this pub is an easy 8 out of 10.
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Visited here again on the 19th August evening - last visit around a year ago. Landlord not present so could not comment. However, the two (continental?) bar maids were pleasant and the own-brewed beer excellent. The Tallywhacker was top-notch! Based on this visit a score of -7-.
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Interesting reading the other comments, time for a change eh? Such a fantastic place with such a brilliant history of amusing landlords, why are these people running a pub if they dont enjoy it!? Food is good and beer excellent but with tatty old furniture, dreadful service and downright rudeness this place needs to be taught a lesson, bring your own sandwiches, ask for free water and use of the telephone. Time for a change.
anonymous - 9 Aug 2006 14:42 |
I have been visiting The Plough about every two months for the past seven years in the course of long walks around Leith Hill and I take overseas visitors there for dinner. The home-brewed Tallywhacker ale is
clean-tasting and full but not heavy. Menu is wide, includes specials for children, and the food has always been excellent and affordable. Today I had a first class rump steak. The tables, floor and lavatories were spotlessly clean and the staff were
modest, polite, attentive and prompt. Could hardly ask for better.
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We went here one afternoon a few weeks ago, late one afternoon, and the pub was quiet. The barman (who, I found out, is the landlord's son) was sitting at a table smoking and drinking a cup of coffee). I ordered a pint of beer (which was OK) and a coffee, to be told they didn't serve coffee. In the half hour we were there three other couples came in, all asking for drinks and coffee, each to be told that coffee was not available. What fantastic customer service.
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We tried the Plough when we found out about their special cider. Drinks are very expensive and their own beer is excellent but the cider wasn't that good. I agree with the comments made by others about the bar staff/landlady. Considering the location and the repeat business potential, it is sad that they are driving people away by their attitude. New management would be the best remedy. I also wouldn't recommend this pub.
anonymous - 24 May 2006 11:35 |
Have to agree with all the comments about the landlady. I was one of a number of walkers who were sitting down, other members were at another table. The landlady wanted us all to sit at one table! The pub wasn't even crowded.
A great shame as the beer was great (brewed at the back) but if the landlady has such difficulty being civil, why is she doing this job!
it's quite true, the pub could be so much better.
anonymous - 7 May 2006 21:52 |
Have been to pub on many occasions, today went with my 2 1/2 year old daughter and they wanted to charge 75p for a glass of tap water. When asked why they said it was overheads, I said we would use our own cup and they said they would still charge. Asked if we could get her own drink from the car the hesitated (we already had drinks on the bar not paid for) and relutantly said yes. I appreciate not giving adults free space in the garden, but toddlers!!! Real shame as they keep the beer in fantastic condition. Oh well! At least we have the Surrey Oaks - real cider, nice pub, great landlord.
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How on earth did this place get in the Good Pub Guide? Food is overpriced and very slow (35 mins for main courses). Children are exiled to a dirty old barn. Cutlery is old and dirty.
The comments about tap water are true - the land lady was stunningly rude to my 7 year old son when he asked for a glass a water (at the end of a £60 meal). He's still talking about it 6 hours later!
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Food was OK but expensive. Having spent £30 on meal and drinks for four, I was a bit taken aback when bar maid ignored my request for glass of tap water to serve another customer. (How long does it take to fill a glass with water?) Lack of competition in the area and the fact that many visitors to Leith Hill are likely to be there only infrequently should not be an excuse for ripping-off customers. I would not recommend this pub and will definitely not be returning.
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Nice landlord, not so nice landlady.
Nice food, not so nice price.
Nice garden, not so nice bar.
Nice beer (home brewed).
Not so nice tap water (charged!).
Could be so much more.
anonymous - 15 Mar 2006 18:05 |
In the running for the coldest pub in Britain. The landlady is pretty frosty as well.
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Their home made ale is excellent. The staff are friendly and the mountain biking around Leith Hill is brilliant.
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Nice pub, nice beer garden - perfect after a walk to the tower and back.
Good collection of ales as well as some strong cidre
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OK food & ambience, spoiled only by the wait and a very rude landlady (quote after a gentle enquiry about how much longer we'd have to wait 30 mins after ordering: 'you people always want to jump the queue; this isn't McDonald's').
Dave - 7 Nov 2004 18:57 |
Excellant pub! Went once, and have returned many times. The food is excellant which goes a long way to foregiving the tempermental chef.
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Can be a little tight for space but otherwise a charming country hostelry. Scaled down beer range (free house) from 9 to 7 + real cider! Landlord is equally charming, and he brews consistently good ale on site. Landlady can be a bit sharp but runs a tight ship. Excellent.
Tom - 29 Mar 2004 16:02 |
Excellent food and good beer. Can get a bit busy at weekends during the day due to ramblers.
Jim - 13 Nov 2003 16:54 |
Excellent ambience at lunchtime.The food was tasty, the staff were welcoming and obliging.
Helen - 29 Oct 2003 22:07 |
Excellent pub, the beer is kept well, and the company is always great, hadn't drunk there in a few years until recently, and i am glad to say it hasn't changed. Rick and Anna keep up the good work.
Ian - 22 Sep 2003 23:51 |
I think the fact that they charge £1.00 for a glass of tap water says it all really!
Freddie - 10 Sep 2003 11:20 |
The real cider is something else as is Tallywaker. Gets a bit busy with people from out of the area, walkers etc on Sundays but it doesn't take anything away from what is a great pub in the evening all year round.
Richard - 10 Jul 2003 09:26 |
Up on the North Downs nr Leith Hill the highest point in Surrey. The tiny Leith Hill Brewery situated behind, which brews 'Crooked Furrow,' & 'Tallywaker,' for the Pub. About Eight handpumps + Real Cider, Good Food, Accomodation & refurbished Barn out back available for functions. Fine views across to the South Downs from the garden. Rick & Anna Abrehart bid a warm welcome to this rural, rustic gem.
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