Crown Inn, Westcott

Bemused by sussexfox's response to my review. Hadn't realised personal reviews were up for discussion; my mistake...
I'm not an alias and I plan to be in the Crown for a couple of pints tomorrow night if anyone cares to join me.
:)

21 Jan 2010 18:11

The Prince Of Wales, Westcott

I live in the village of Westcott, and the Prince of Wales is one of 2 pubs there (the other being The Crown).
The PofW is the pub where I'd go if I wanted to go to a 'restaurant' rather than a pub, but this is as a direct comparison to The Crown which is more of a drinking pub.
The PofW's bar is small and lacks seating (2 sofas + 2 chairs + a couple of bar-stools), and the main room has more of a restaurant feel to it (or maybe gastropub) with tables and chairs for what feels like it should be dining.

That said, it's a nice clean, bright room with pleasant decor and no overbearing music, so it's certainly no hardship to drink there.
It's a Fullers pub, so they have the usual stuff, from Chiswick upwards in Alcohol.
We've eaten there a couple of times and it was good. Not 'great', but certainly not worthy of any sort of complaint.
There's ample seating inside (in the main room and an eating annex), and it has a fair sized garden on the A25. Parking is plentiful (car-park).
Clientele (that I've seen) is a mixture of locals and pass-throughs. Cyclists and walkers seem to make up a fair portion of the weekend trade.
All in all a decent pub for a pint and meal. I would visit The Crown for a session though, if I'm honest.

4 Jan 2010 16:12

Crown Inn, Westcott

We moved to Westcott recently and the welcome we received by Paul and his regulars has been fantastic. This is one of those pubs where you can pop in at any time for a fleeting pint, or a day-long session and you're made welcome.

The landlord has been in place 28 years, and is currently in a dispute with the owner who effectively wants to evict him, but can't do so because of his rolling tenancy. The owner has thus decided that not investing in any decoration or repairs beyond the legal minimum are a way to make the landlord wish to leave. Well, I for one hope that they fail in this because Paul sells what is, for me, the perfect country pub atmosphere.

Behind the bar is a decent selection of ales (Brains, Adnams, Rev Adams, a Winter Warmer), lager and cider... as well as a talking-point vast selection of spirits and mixers (What IS rum and shrub?!)

There's a large garden which elevates you above the A25 with tables, a car-park for 10 or so cars and a bus-stop to Dorking opposite.

Mountain bikers and hikers are welcome (although strongly discouraged from muddying the seats!).

The Prince of Wales (opposite) offers more of a gastro-pub atmosphere, but we find it a bit too light, and a place more for eating (rather than a pint with friends). That said, Paul does offer food (assorted from pub-grub through to game pie) and there's the usual crisps and snacks.

Dog friendly, real wood fires, comfy sofas, a few tables to eat and a friendly bunch of locals. Well recommended.

4 Jan 2010 16:02