please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We returned to have an evening meal last Saturday and the place was buzzing. A cricket match was being played on the village green and the pub was full of customers which was great to see. Beers were Hop Art Blonde, Dark Star Hophead, Hogs Back TEA, and Sharps Doomed Beer. Food was fairly good but not stunning. Only one veggie option for my friend.
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Seems it's all change here. Excellent welcome and the sight of 4 real ales including Dark Star Hophead and Hop Back's stout, open fire's going in both rooms, separate dining area...we'll eat next time. Yes this pub now deserves a far higher rating due to the recent metamorphosis
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If punters aren't already put off by the reviews of the unwelcoming staff and landlord, then consider the prices - £4.00 a pint for bitter! Must be the most over-priced hostelry in England. Great setting, crap experience.
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A suitably bucolic setting for a reasonably cosy village pub opposite the cricket ground. Hog's Back TEA was in perfectly good order and the young woman serving was polite. Hard to put one's finger on but would perhaps benefit from a more welcoming atmosphere.
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I have reviewed this pub before, but after visiting on Saturday I have to post another.
We were told by the barman that we could have any of the normal menu as child sized for the children with us - and then the landlord very rudely and loudly discussed with the waitress that they did not do this. Didn't bother to actually talk to us. If you are a child you must have the plastic kiddies food.
The amstel was awful which must be quite difficult to achieve.
I've really gone off this place because of the bar staff and the rude landlord. Shame as it should be a pleasure to go there!
Don't bother. . . . .
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Wife and I visited last night. Perfect evening, lovely outlook and really good choice of beer, which was well kept. Beautiful Ferrari parked outside just to add to the interest. Have to endorse the comments about the barmaid (middle-aged skinny blonde with a face like a squeezed lemon). She can't help her looks but she can help her surly abrupt manner. Maybe the two are linked. Apart from her its hard to think of a more pleasant pub on a summer's evening.
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Classic pub on a village green, staff friendly, other customers friendly, food good, beer excellent, we had TEA, view magnificent. Knocked a couple of rating points off cos the veg was undercooked, no, actually raw, otherwise they'd have got a 10 from me. After we went to the Hogsback Brewery at Farnham to visit a wonderful shop, full of beer!
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Great location......... Shocking Service from VERY RUDE Barmaid!!!
Four of us "ladies who lunch" with two small infants (one severely disabled) popped in for mid week lunch. Cant knock the basic food but was shocked when one of the local "gentlemen" in "lechers corner" turned and told my disabled daughter to shut up (shes two and a half, blind with no mobility and severe brain damage and is very quiet compared to alot of children her age) The hostility was thoroughly miserable and i would strongly recommend anyone to drive past as this neck of the woods is littered with lovely pubs that deserve your hard earnt cash!!
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Nice building in great location. However, barmaid was very off hand/rude, scowling at us not to bring our dog in despite their being "dogs welcome" signs up and another dog in the bar. A second visit 2 hours later after our walk confirmed the impression. Other customers were making similar comments about the unfriendliness.
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This has to be the classic English pub - set betweet two medieval bridges on the ancient cricket green, the pub boasts flagstone floors and a vast inglenook. The range of real ales at my last visit was Otter Bitter, Doom Bar and Abbott and a fourth is added in the summer. The food isn't cheap but it is fresh and generous in its portions. Overall, it's a great place to visit in the winter. I went there last summer and the place was heaving. Families picknic on the green whilst their children paddle in the shallow river and therefore my suggestion is to go there out of season.
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Nice pint of Doom bar.
Nice spot.
But blimey what a miserable unhelpful barmaid.
A complete contrast to the cheerful and helpful staff at the Donkey
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Lovely setting, but not welcoming. We went in as a large group for an early evening meal. Only a handful of other (drinking) customers there. Food and beer was okay but when we left the landlord didn't even look round from his bar stool let alone get up and thank us for our custom, having put around �200 through the till.
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Abbot, Doom Bar, Youngs Ord and Courage Best. Carpeted area to left with stones to right. Another eating area to the back and a large garden. Beer maybe a bit pricey but decently kept. Can't understand the low rating unless the foodies have been at it again.
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great location, louzy pub
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WARMER WELCOME OUTSIDE ON A FROSTY DAY!!!
Obviously the same Aussie, leather trouser clad barmaid has been in situ for far too long. Could not understand why anyone would employ staff in a 'public house' with such a lousy service attitude! A Thai barmaid might be a better choice! If I were the boss, to quote Sir Alan - 'You're Fired Luv!'
The sign outside made me laugh 'famillies welcome'
Do not waste your time visiting this 'inhospitable Inn' Pass the word
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Two of us went here for lunch the other day. It was a good experience.
The sandwiches, though expensive, had a generous amount of filling. A pint of Sharp's Doombar was well kept. Prices were about average for Surrey. In general, landlords put about 20p. a pint on beer to reflect the Surrey address! This pub is no exception.
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I visited this pub yesterday on a Sunday turning up unannouced with 9 other cyclits and I have to say this is a lovely pub. Very warm and cosy. Yes it was expensive, but in my opinion vest good. I had a lovely pint of Doombers and yes the food was very expensive yes vewry good and large portions. nI had an excellent spinach and rfecotta tortellini.
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The only asset this pub has is the location. Rather than line the landlords pocket my advice is to bring your own booze and have a picnic on the green.
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Around a dozen or so friends went to the Barley Mow for dinner on Sunday after a 2 hour walk round Surrey. To say the welcome was frosty was un undercurrent. We could probably have got a warmer welcome at the North Pole. Surly staff, one in particular looked as though she felt we were disturbing her peace and quiet whilst she watched the cricket.
Meals very overpriced, even though I appreciate it isn't a chain pub/restaurant. I left my bag behind, went back to fetch it and commented that they need to update their customer services. Was met by a sarcastic laugh. Advised I wasn't joking and left. Very historic, homely pub, it's just a shame the staff and the pricing let it down.
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The location is fantastic! I took friends from France over to see this pub, as I often thought it looked pretty when seen from the outside. We had lunch there and some drinks.
The staff were amongst the most unfriendly and rude I've ever seen! To say that we felt we were bothering the lady behind the bar is an understatement! The food was expensive and sub-standard.
I certainly didn't want to return with my visitors whom I had to apologise to for the terrible experience.
However, I did return on my own for a drink to check out whether it was just a bad day, and whether the pub was still a decent place to have a beer.
Once again, the middle aged barmaid/landlady was smoking outside as I approached. She gave me a dirty look and dragged herself behind the bar as I arrived. Not a single word was said. I ask what lagers they had on draft and she simply pointed to the taps with her fingers whilst rolling her eyes... I left there and then.
This pub only has its location to boast about, the staff is rude, the food sub-standard and the beers/meals are overpriced.
Never again.
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Found this lovely old-fashioned pub after a long walk, and the girl who served me was very polite. Having ordered, my wife asked for her to confirm that a pint of bitter, half of lime and lemonade and a plate of chips came to �10.50. This can be analysed as, I think, the pint at 3.50, the half pint 3.50 (lime and lemonade costs �7 a pint, you see), and �3.50 for the chips. The chips were fine, but nowhere near as good as Heston Blumenthal's Tripe Cooked Chips (�4.50 a portion, and probably worth it), the beer was fine, and the lime and lemonade as good as lime and lemonade ever is, but I don't like being ripped off, so we won't ever go back. It seems a bit daft to me for a landlord to overcharge like this and discourage further visits, when by providing good food and drink (which he does) at moderate prices (which he most certainly does not) he would probably make more profit in the long term by getting more custom.
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I'm afraid I have to agree with harriharrison, having just paid �4.30 for 2 halves of cider and a packet of crisps.
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This should be a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the quintessential English pub. The location is great and there are some fine reviews. Sadly the Landlord appears to have few social skills and an amazing lack of awareness. The business plan appears to be based on charging the most you can get away with. This is poor and is nothing like the pub it could be.
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Came in here after a walk on a Sunday and to be fair no-one commented on our slightly muddy walking boots, but . . . .
The tables were dirty and sticky, we had to wait to be served and then had to ask for our pints to be topped up. The landlord was far too busy chatting with his mates to help behind the bar.
Nice beer though.
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This pub is great for the occasional visitor. It has a good location and the look and feel of a traditional pub. I went in recently and enjoyed a couple of pints of Tribute but didn't eat so can't comment on the food. I say occasional visitor as I think I would get fed up with the wait to be served if I went in every week. I appreciate that it gets busy in the summer but when I'm the only one standing at the bar and I still get ignored it becomes a joke. (Note to landlord - for once in a while please put your wine down and serve BEHIND the bar if someone is waiting).
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Popped in at about 11.30am with the intention of getting a snack before going for a walk. The lady behind the bar looked us up and down with a decidedly frosty expression on entry, there was no thaw in this attitude and we were made to feel like an inconvenience so we beat a hasty retreat. The staff were a lot more welcomeing at the Donkey in the afternoon.
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What a shame! Great location by the cricket ground and river but ruined by the staff. Food is overpriced and nothing special, staff are basically rude. Absolutely no atmosphere. You don't get many pubs who actively go out of their way to make life difficult for families - this is one of them though. in the winter they like families to sit in the out house! Would suggest the Duke of Cambridgeshire or Donkey instead
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sorry to read the reviews of this once great pub, in the days of ted and molly, it was terrific, although the comments on the staff could be repeated even then, (not ncluding me of course)but charlie is ok,it's that woman who got up my nose.
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Potentially a great pub � location is lovely - but ruined by high prices and more so by inefficient and rude staff and a landlord who sits in the corner with his cronies (they get good service, no one else does). Best avoided.
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Great pub, fun people, consistently good food. Current owner, Charlie, has done a wonderful job in re-vamping the back garden which has tables, wonderful view of the local countryside and a little stream with countless ducks swimming up and down. In summer, weekend bbq's are great fun. Front seating offer superb location for cricket watchers. In the winter warmth of soft lighting and fireplace are a nice addition to the consistently good food.
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Watch the prices - dearest in southern England (especially shandy!).
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It has been said many times before this pub is in a fantastic location but what lets it down so much is the up them self people that work and manage this place.
Bet this go`s missing like all the other comments that someone does not like.
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Went to the pub last summer and had an ok meal. I had forgotten how small it was inside and the staff did seem abit off hand. The bbq out the back seems to be a good idea and there were lots of local families around. Could be a bit better with a change of attitude from the staff. Shame as the location etc is great.
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The Landlord and his sour faced Aussie partner have managed to completley ruin a very good pub, if you want to meet the locals go to the duke of Cambridge as that is where they have all been driven too!
anonymous - 10 Oct 2007 17:54 |
Overpriced beers, but a pleasant location by the village green.
A lot of the locals were in there for a meal, so it seems to do a good food trade.
anonymous - 29 Jun 2007 09:47 |
DATE OF VISIT: 07/06/07
Quite nice country pub with good selection of ales including Bombardier. I had the Abbott Ale which very well kept. The pub itself is fairly small and it's adorned with pictures of Tilford Cricket Club. Toilets were ok and the overall appearance of the pub seems alright. We sat out in the beer garden by the river which gives the pub a really nice touch especially during the summer. Didn't have any food but there appears to be quite a substantial menu available.
I would recommend a visit and I rate this pub 7/10.
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On a cold wet day on the whitsun bank holday, we, a small group of walkers, were made to feel very welcome, especially with the two log fires that were burning. Landlord was available(our choice) plus three mainstream real ales.
Because of the comments made before, we chose to meet at the Donkey for the start of our circular walk, but must say we all found the really friendly and the service and beer good.
Only odd event that jarred a bit was when the barmaid (who appeared unwell anyway) broke a couple of glasses cutting her hand in the process, and the senior bar woman (the owner?) was extremely unsympathetic. Lovely pub, lovely setting. Pity no locally brewed beer.
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Have to agree with the majority of comments below. Landlord seems to think the prime location justifies extortionate prices for mediocre beer, average food and an attitude that, frankly, stinks. Duke of Cambridge up the road beats this hands down with excellent food,and friendly service from staff who clearly actually give a damn.Shame to see a pub like the Barley Mow reduced to this........
anonymous - 5 Apr 2007 11:24 |
A great sadness to me that this pub has lost its way. Back in the day it was run by a professional landlord and grouch, called George. The Barley Mow was an institution and he was an awesome landlord, although I did not truly appreciate that back then. When I lived in the USA, I dreamt of returning to this pub and when I landed at Heathrow I would make a beeline straight to Tilford - I was never let down. The pub is now like a 'club' for the up themselves barstaff and their cronies. Beer and atmosphere not a patch on what this place once was. Get it back, please!!!
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Well situated pub. Food and Beer OK.
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6 walkers, pre booked in non smoking resturant, boots left outside,clean tidy and well dressed,Very rude and unwelcoming landlord does not want walkers in his resturant as they do not buy full meals only the (very expensive and overpriced )snacks. We had not ordered at that point. because one of our party answered back he threatened to throw us out.We agree with all previous comments except,that the lady behind the bar was nice.
anonymous - 20 Jan 2007 17:50 |
This is another pub we should all rave about but cant.Plus points location fantastic, village green,cricket& river,what more could you ask for.Down points "up them selves bar people" & someone tell the bloke that thinks he`s the landlord its not cool to walk about allday with a bottle of becks in his hand.You guys are here to seve not to look down your nose`s at us because we want another drink.So points out of 10 1 for being there.This was the 1st.pub i ever went into, i was one of the lucky people who went to the great Sheephatch School,but i will not be going again till the attitude changes
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I have never sat inside this pub for a drink - always taken them outside onto the green so cant really comment on the atmosphere....or food.
But the old barman seemed friendly enough.
Jo984 - 28 Sep 2006 15:28 |
Lovely location, but beer at �3 a pint which is 25% over the top, bored, condescending staff who clearly think you are lucky to be served by them, and a manageress who looks like a failed pole dancer and has a snotty attitude which she has clearly passed on to the staff. Running a pub like this is a priviledge and this lot do not deserve to be there. Sooner they go the better.
anonymous - 11 Sep 2006 15:24 |
What a dump! It could and should be a great pub but everything about this place fails to deliver. If your in the area pass by and drive up to the Duke of Cambridge, its far more inviting.
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One of the very best pub locations, set between the large triangular cricket green and the River Wey. Should be a truly great local, but unfortunately isn't... (and probably the most expensive pint of bitter that I've ever had).
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Oh dear what a lost opportunity! I have decided to now stop going here, even for a drink. The other night it was practically empty and the barmaid started stacking the chairs before 11pm. You really felt unwanted. Have experienced this before. Also fed up with having to ask for my pint to be 'topped up' when well short of top.
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food was not great, beer was nothing special, bar staff looked like they didn`t want to be there, shame excellent spot to watch the cricket
anonymous - 7 Aug 2005 23:12 |
Beautiful pub, in an outstanding location, could not be more English. Shame the Landlord and his manager spend most of the time on the wrong side of the bar. Feels more like their own private drinking lounge. Real shame - bring back George!
Jonathan - 20 Sep 2004 13:34 |
Lovely area, great looking pub, has 4 ales on, watch the cricket with a pint, don`t order food, �7.50 for the smallest ploughmans. one of the puddings was �6
russell - 1 Jun 2004 18:00 |
