The Botley Hill Farmhouse, Warlingham

Called in yesterday while walking the North Downs Way. It still calls itself a "free house" but the only beer on offer was Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen. The IPA was perfectly well kept, but at �3.00 a pint something more interesting would have been preferable.

4 Jul 2010 10:35

The Brookwood, Woking

Pub has closed and is being converted into offices - apparently they didn't need planning permission for that particular change of use. Never a great pub, not recently anyway, but it's always sad when another one bites the dust.

4 Jul 2010 10:32

The Heron on the Lake, Fleet

This is my local, but I didn't visit regularly because the beer was not good - a range of 4 or 5 boring regional and national brews generally in poor condition. Also the food could be variable. However, now it is in McMullen's hands things seem to be looking up. Overtly, little has changed from the previous ownership (Chef & Brewer) and I believe it is still the same management team. I haven't eaten here recently, but a couple of pounds seem to have been knocked off the menu choices. The last couple of times I have visited there have been three beers on - Cask, Country and a seasonal, and they have generally been in good nick, although I would prefer to see AK. Although it is still food oriented you now feel less out of place occupying a a table and just drinking, and one time I was there with friends we were left drinking up until well after 11 without any pressure from staff to move on. This is a great place to sit outside in the summer, overlooking the Fleet Pond, hopefully the Heron will maintain its new higher standard.

27 Dec 2009 14:51