The North Star, Hook

We would highly recommend this pub. Comfortable seating, efficient and friendly service and a good range of quality beers. The food here is excellent with the cooking at a high standard. Best to avoid Tuesday evenings when it gets crowded with a very amateurly run quiz, unfortunately the lady who runs it is very pleasant but has not got a clue. Overall rating Top of the Pops.

6 Nov 2005 17:08

The Maypole, Surbiton

We thought everything about this pub was grotty. Service terrible and rude, beer pretty ghastly, very smokey and a poor atmosphere and we did not feel welcome. Toilets and pub filthy. It is one to avoid at all costs and we would award it "Nil" points for everything.

6 Nov 2005 17:03

St Marks Tavern, Surbiton

Mixed feeling about this pub. On the positive side staff friendly, they served really good value food and is good lunchtime. Changes face in the evenings when it can get rowdy. Our biggest criticism is the small space allocated to non smokers; under 10% of the seating and floor area which we found unacceptable, especially as this pub tends to have a smokey atmosphere.

6 Nov 2005 16:57

The Fox And Hounds, Surbiton

We visited this pub about 5 years ago and it was great. Sadly now under different management who in our opinion have let this pub deteriorate very noticeable. They definitely go out of their way to attract the student population. The beer was poorly kept, it was noisy and rather dirty. It a shame because it was a nice pub. We have a group of friends who have stopped coming here also.

6 Nov 2005 16:52

The Ram, Kingston Upon Thames

We thought this was the best pub on the Kingston riverside. Good beer, excellent food at a reasonable price and service friendly. A good no smoking area at the rear. Smoking not allowed at the bar thank heavens!!.Beer garden overlooking river.

6 Nov 2005 16:45

The Albert Arms, Norbiton

A nice pub serving good food and well maintained beer. Comfortable seating and a mixed age group from 25 to 70. We rated this pub above average and the best in the vicinity.

6 Nov 2005 16:40

The Alexandra, Norbiton

We visited this pub and found it very average for beer, service, food and furnishings. Lack atmosphere but OK. Not one to avoid or to make a special effort to visit.

6 Nov 2005 16:37

The Kings Tun, Kingston Upon Thames

Nice pub lunchtimes and some weekdays evenings, but avoid Friday and Saturday night like the plague when the average age barely reaches 20 and it noisy and uncomfortable. The range and quality of beers have decreased considerably over the past year. When I ordered food found service unhelpful and chef could not microwave, overcooked.

6 Nov 2005 16:33

The Hand and Flower, Ham

This must now be one of the crummiest pubs in the area. We last visited 3 years ago when it was a real character pub with a lot going for it. We do not remember revisiting a pub that has deteriorated as much as this one. The beer is yuk!! and when you mention this to the staff they are arrogant and disinterested. We thought it was dirty and objected waiting to be served which took an age with customers crammed on bar stools were blowing smoke in your face. Most seemed to be at the bar area and nowhere else as the rest of the pub was empty. We wonder why!!Probably a case of pandering to a few regulars at the expense of all others. As we have reiterated in other reviews in the current climate a notice should be put up banning smoking at the bar in the interests of both staff and customers. We also thought it was big on noise!!

5 Nov 2005 11:45

The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames

It you are a real ale drinker this is the pub to drink. Not got a lot else going for it except good service. The beer is fantastic which is very important so what the heck!!

5 Nov 2005 11:36

The Wych Elm, Kingston Upon Thames

A great local, serving quality real ale with comfortable seating and a good atmosphere. Not too smokey. Good service. One of the beast around in this area. It has won CAMRA awards

5 Nov 2005 11:33

The Cardinal, Kingston Upon Thames

I think the only reason this pub survives is because of its position with the next nearest hostelry being over half a mile away. Very little to recommend it, average beer, no atmosphere and on our visit a number of children allowed to roam around. The big problem is the shape of the pub which is not conducive to making this a good venue. Needs ripping out and starting again.

5 Nov 2005 11:31

The Park Tavern, Kingston Upon Thames

The crowd descended of this pub on a Friday evening and our overall opinion was mixed. On the positives excellent beer, good service and no music. The negatives really uncomfortable seating all which needs updating and this must be one of the most smoke infested pub we have ever visited, they do not even have a non smoking area which in our opinion was the main reason for voting this pub as a miss. Try the Wych Elm instead more comfortable ,less smokey.

5 Nov 2005 11:25

The New Inn, Ham

We descended on the New Inn last night and found some positives and negatives with this pub;
POSITIVES
Background music played at an acceptable level.
Good quality Real ale;
Excellent and well presented food served we believe until after 9pm;
Smartly dressed, efficient and friendly staff.
Good Service;
Clean pub;
Nice atmosphere;

NEGATIVES:
Some seating uncomfortable and in need of replacement, springs starting to show;
Poor smoking policy- Pub very smokey unacceptable when eating food small non smoking area at rear which was full and it seemed as non smokers were treated at lepers tucked away from the main pub area.
Worst or all smoking permitted at bar which is a health hazard to both staff and customers and the licensee should follow the lead of a large number of pubs by removing bar ashtrays and putting up a notice "No smoking at bar"
OVERALL
Far more plus than minuses and one of the better pub in the area which seems well run.

5 Nov 2005 10:10