please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The draught beers are all served much to cold.
Was met with a blank stare from the alleged landlady when I made this observation.
This is one of those pubs where the clueless bar staff are always right.
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It hasn’t closed, it’s very much alive. Just a change of ownership.
Same manager, same great staff, same great decor, same great chef and same good food just a release on the reigns maybe?
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Sad news, and a great pity. The place was perfect as it was.
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Update:
Change of ownership!
Manageress says they are now sourcing local real ales.
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Totally agree with the last post - but one.
Excellent country pub, food great.
If you dislike their beverages, go elsewhere - to the last poster¡
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Fully agree as a regular in the Well.
Why should anyone dictate (or try to) what beverages are sold, in any establishment?
McDonalds should sell kebabs? No, because they choose not to...
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Yet MORE real ale advice for Mark, the Well's owner - from Jump! Mark has decided not to bother too much about real ale, as he has in his other successful outlets; get over it and/or go elsewhere!
Regulars (increasing every week) are not bothered - and I, in there very frequently, have seen no demand. Mark's expertise and experience - in many other pubs - has allowed him to see other/better areas of potential.
Should we not just wish him well - and not continue to bombard him (and this site) with unwanted and irrelevant real ale propaganda. Particularly, as these ales are easily found elsewhere in the locality.
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Wealdman, it is busier, I grant you that, and I think the owner has very good job. I've not been to the other pubs in the company chain but I presume they are reasonably successful too.
All I was saying is that it could be even busier with drinkers, during periods when eaters are not so prevalent. The Wellhouse was always been known for its quaint looks, original features, location, it's old fashioned pub feel and ales. But, if you look at other reviews, not its food. It's in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for a reason! The owner has done great things with all of the above but in my opinion has lost some of the old fashioned local pub feel by being more corporate (can't help that I suppose, what with this industry's massive staff turn over etc and the fact that it is after all a chain) and could improve with the beer side. Look back over past reviews on this site and most say great beer, good selection, etc, etc. It is, or was totally free of tie. And not just this site too, look at other. The company has a fantastic opportunity to exploit the massive revolution in British brewing.
Hey, It is only my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone, but this site is meant for exactly that and if I can't post an opinion with out getting my head chewed off then what is the point of this site?
I note that you have expressed some harsh views about other pubs you have visited. Mine are actually quite complementary about the Wellhouse.
You never know. Maybe I could buy you a pint if we ever meet. (As long as it's not from Adnams).
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Well Jump - your 'Missing a Trick' advice and real ale blackboard suggestion would seem, to some, an effort to change the owner's strategic/business choices.
Mark has got it right at the Well, something evidenced by the increased trade - without the need for any great real ale concentration.
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Wealdman, I'm not sure where in my post, I say the owner should prioritise anything! To be clear, the food is great, the decor is great, but he could sell more ale by learning about it and what sells.
See you at the Wellhouse.
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Jump - the last poster - thinks the owner should prioritise real ale. The owner, and us locals, don't. Solution - go elsewhere, jump.
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So, an update following a few visits since the take over.
Decor is great! Sympathetic to the original, still cosy and old world and, just a lot cleaner. The garden is brilliant too. Well done!
As expected the food has improved vastly, which is no bad thing at all. Thumbs up here too then. The menus change regularly along with and in line with the other pubs owned by this chain.
Unfortunately, the beer lines were re-done by Adnams 😩and as part of the 'deal' the pub is now tied on one pump to Adnams. In addition, there are now only four pumps and not the five of latter years, even though I noticed there are three more in another bar which are not used. The upshot is that Shere Drop and London Pride are permanents, as they always were, an Adnams has to be on which leaves only one guest. Mostly this pump is occupied by something from Cottage Brewing which i generally find have a strange flavour.
The owner freely admits that food is his thing, which shows. The implication being that there is not much interest in real ale which also shows. The staff seem to know very little about the massive variety of fantastic ales now available in this country and are not encouraged to learn about them. Small bottles of the relevant beer is placed in front of the pumps to show the colour and this is about the extent of knowledge of this product. If a little was learned about this area then so much more trade could be had. Surely if you are in a trade it would be wise to know what sells well. Word spreads very quickly amoungst Real Ale drinkers when a truly unique pub like this is found to be promoting a variety of brews.
The phrase 'Missing a Trick' springs to mind.
I recently went to a pub in Kenley and was heartened to see a invitation on a black board upon which the clientele could indicate their preferred next ale. Great idea!
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As expected, Sheer Drop was £3.40 now £3.80. 8/- ( that's 40p for the young ) rise.
No price list in any bar. Don't know if this is illegal still.
Barstaff drying glasses on a teatowel ditto.
Food on Sunday was excellent but the pub seemed to be full of people who couldn't find their heads with both hands, OK ya!!
Following Tuesday evening was more pub-like.
Still early days.
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Was a great Pub, not a restaurant but a proper pub. It was rumoured that the food wasn't great and the service was very relaxed but a great pub! Let see what the new owner does. I hear he is very good with food. I just hope that being a free of tie house, he makes the most of the 'free house' label and looks to exploit all the new and wonderful real ales that this country has to offer. I read today that there are more breweries per head in the UK than anywhere in the world!
I really hope he doesn't choose the easy route and go with the usual boring, big company brews that every horrible gastro pub seems to be obliged to serve. No imagination!
Lets face it, a proper pub which has great food, great service and a great selection of well kept and not bog standard beers, is a dead cert recipe for success. What more could either the punter or the owner ask for?
Here's hoping!
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My understanding from the locals is that the refurb will be more sympathetic. Levels of service and food quality should be higher but I daresay so will the prices. My sources say it should reopen 23rd June. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
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This pub changed hands yesterday. Apparently it will close for a week for "refurbishment".
Having been in some of the new owner's other "refurbishments" on previous occasions; I don't hold out much hope for the future of the Wellie as a propper pub.
However; the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let's wait and see.
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"We're a pub, not a restaurant". How true.
Lovely location with deserved CAMRA listing, though looking scruffy outside at the moment.
Dropped in around 12 for Sunday lunch and was served with what reminded me of school dinners from the 1970s. Lamb in the "lamb pie" was pink, uncuttable and left on the side. "Roast parsnip" of the roast lamb was roast for about 4 mm, then became wood.
Nice drop of Shere on tap.
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A cracking find. On way back from day out in the surrey hills and drove past. Popped in for a swift one and will be back. Excellent selection of ales and my solitary pint was very well kept. Food looked great, and portions generous. Looking forward to an opportunity to revisit.
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A party of nine of us stopped here for lunch yesterday mid-way through a walk. The beer was good but sadly neither the lunch nor the service were. Quantities of food were generous but the quality was at best adequate and at worst very poor. Although the first two plates arrived promptly there were increasingly long intervals between the next six (a large group was finishing as we arrived but otherwise the pub was almost empty). When the last plate still hadn't been served about an hour after it was ordered, and several of us had finished eating, we complained to the barman who carefully finished what he was doing before going to find out what had happened. Eventually the last meal arrived (and the person who ordered it got her money back with an apology from the barmaid) but it spoilt an otherwise pleasant day.
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Dropped in here with the missus recently, still a lovely little rural outpost with a nice old fashioned interior. Lovely garden, well kept ales.
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Just doing a little local round-up of pubs that have secured a berth in the 2013 CamRA Good Beer Guide - not the be all and end all by any stretch, but a reasonable indication that all is fairing well at least beer-wise - and noting this on their BITE entry. With little surprise I can report that the Well House has made it.
Always a pleasant pint and a sound selection - keep up the good work folks.
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Lovely place in the middle of nowhere with extensive sloping garden and very inviting interior. Look out for the cats that occasionally sit on the stools at the bar like true regulars. The beer and service are always good but the food is a bit mediocre.
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Old interior, complemented by very go beer & an excellent garden. A country pub to impress if on a date
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Although I've never eaten here I do enjoy a beer or two at the establishment. The beer garden is lovely when the weather is good. My last visit on 24/03/11 was as good as always. I enjoyed well kept pints of Surrey Hills 'Shear Drop', Dorking 'DB1' & a slightly lesser know beer (to me at least) Hammerpot 'Woodcote Bitter'.
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Booked Sunday lunch for 6, phoned and asked to increase numbers to 8. Answer, No, we have no more space. When we arrived, with 8, there was loads of room; I moved three tables together in the empty conservatory. No one told us we had to order food at the bar, wasting time. The owner sat and watched as I went to the bar and had to ask for a tray for drinks for 8. When I said that a 30 mins wait for a burger meal was too long, he said, 'We're a pub not a restaurant.' Our food was tepid and served without cutlery initially. They seemed to take a pleasure in giving us difficulty, and I told the owner that as I own a wedding reception venue, and so work with caterers, the fact that 'we're a pub not a restaurant' does not mean giving such poor service. He had the grace to carry my tray of drinks when I pointed out that I have bone cancer; he dumped it on the table and didn't unload the drinks etc. We would never go back.
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Adnams Bitter, Hammerpot Bottle Wreck Porter, Surrey Hills Shere Drop and London Pride. Busy early Saturday evening. Traditional country pub, worth a look.
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A proper old country pub, low ceilings, wooden beams, a large fireplace, and lots of nooks and crannies. The terraced garden looked a great spot for a Summer afternoon. Had a good pint of London Pride, and the food was great, reasonably priced with large portions. Adnams Broadside and Shere Drop also on tap. Plenty of people serving, and a friendly buzz around the place - really struggling to find any faults - give up, can't think of any! Definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
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booked a table for sunday lunch for 13 adults and 3 children following my daughters Christening and had to post the same day. Chose this pub largely becasue another local refused to take a booking for that number of people, but will definitely be returning. Excellent food, served piping hot to every member of the party at the same time (not so with other pubs). Reasonably priced and portions on the right side of large. Most impressed!
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Still a nice pub. I used the frequent it quite often for Sunday lunch. The portions were huge and for inder �10 head, you couldn't fault it. Have visited it twice rececently but the portions were half size and the price doesn't reflect it. They have taken on a new Kitchen Manager apparently!
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I read with dismay when people complain about there not being enough facilities such as play areas or high chairs for children. Are we not forgetting that places such as the Well House are Pubs first and foremost and were never intended to accommodate children and babies in the first place. If thats what you want look to the Harvester or McDonalds. I for one am fed up trying to find a decent pub with adult only customers and enjoy a bite to eat without having to dodge children running up and down and listen to babies screaming.
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A lovely, traditional country pub providing a cosy atmosphere and a great amenity to locals and tourists alike. Very welcoming to dog owners and those with children, and a world apart from Harvesters and their ilk.
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I usually love this pub. Good food, excellent ales, and great beer garden. But, given they cater for so many families and do so much food, I was disappointed they had no high chairs. Not only that, but when we expressed surprise that they had none they claimed they had no room for them because they were a listed building and short on space. Last time I checked you don't need planning permission to buy three or four folding high chairs. Mine host then told us that 'usually people bring their own' - yeah, right. My arse! Not only disappointed at there being no high chairs, but more disappointed at the dismissive attitude of the (presumably) landlord/owner. Very poor. Will never be returning.
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Unlike Bullfrog1 I found that the portions are fine and the quality and value for money very good. Wonderful real ales too! The best in the area as far as I am concerned. I will certainly be back.
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Dropped in Friday lunchtime for a "swift half". Good pub with a decent selection of ales largely well kept if a little cold. Good staff and a nice atmosphere with no music and nice garden (great in the summer!). Can't comment on the food as didn't eat.
Worth a visit.
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Our last visit was in 08 and we were really pleased with our meal, huge portions and beautifully cooked. We went there today (17 Jan 2010) with friends and couldn't believe the difference! We ordered the sunday roasts and the roast chicken and chips. The roast lamb and beef were very small portions and came with over cooked vegetables, the meal was tasteless. The roast chicken looked as if it had been boiled it was so white and was very dry. We thought that dessert would be better but it was no better at all. The spotted dick was rock hard and tasteless! The whole meal was all over priced and we will not be going there again which is such a shame given how great the pub used to be.
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Always a good selection of ales which usually includes a dark one. Food is very reliable and good value. A cracking oldy-worldy pub with beams and charm in a great area for walking/cycling.
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Very nice, friendly, decent clientelle and the Shere Drop from Surrey Hills Brewery is inspirational
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Lovely pub, warm cosy feeling, 3-4 excellent really ales on, nice beer garden and in a lovely location would visit again
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Well, last night at about 8pm there were more staff than customers and we were the only occupants in the side bar. Also the conservatory was empty.
However when we left at 10pm there were some more people in the bar where the fire is.
I do hope that this nice pub doesn't go down the pan.
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Well worth a visit, quite small so it gets busy.
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A super find. Located in good walking country and very welcoming to muddy booted walkers (i.e no fuss). Food is excellent as was the beer choice on the day we visited. As I understand it the regulars are London Pride, Adnams and a local beer from Surrey Hills, with on our visit guests from Dark Star and Oakham - both superb breweries.
Very busy on a Friday lunchtime and suggest you book if you want to eat.
Happy pubbing!
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This pub is, in my view, the best PROPER pub in a 10 mile radius. Muddy booted walkers, locals with their dogs and a really traditional look of a real pub. You CAN eat there and the food is generally excellent, albeit too generously portioned. The staff are welcoming and friendly and when you leave you feel you have visited a pub rather than a restaurant that sells beer. For me, I hope it can survive where many others are going to fail. For that YOU need to visit.
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I don�t normally post comments on websites, especially if I have to register, but had to make an exception on this occasion.
We have just returned from lunch at the Well and cannot disagree with the criticisms in some of the other posts strongly enough!
The food was fantastic, and as has been eluded to by others generous in the extreme! In fact none of the 4 adults managed to finish our plates, and even the children�s portion was what is often seen as an adult one.
The beer was great, well kept, and our Australian friends even liked the London Pride!
The garden is beautiful, however, if I had one criticism, it is as a wheelchair user, that there is no disabled access or facilities, so it is lucky that we were there on a nice day.
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Get there early for mountainous helpings of good value food. But be warned: you need to go and collect your meal from the bar when they call out your order number. If you miss your shout, your meal sits there going cold and you'll get no sympathy from the staff. It's that kind of 'down to earth' pub. (Oh, and steer clear of the ploughman's if you don't like onions.)
Nice garden and decent choice of guest beers. Good walks nearby.
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The pub itself is gorgeous - plenty of outside seating in a wonderful countryside setting. Inside, there is a lot of room and a lovely conservatory. The atmosphere is old and interesting and the selection of beers a good one (including the local Shere Drop). The food, sadly, is not wonderful. It is reasonable pub stuff, but our ploughmans salad was literally drenched in water, so much so that, between 3 of us, we could fill a glass! That meant my partner's burger bun was sodden and her chips were cold. It could easily be better.
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Very good beer and well kept. Staff are all polite and helpful as you would expect from a country pub.
Food is of a high quality and portions are enough for the largest apetite, and always a good selection of specials.
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I paid a visit here for a family lunch on Sunday 17th Feb 08. We were a party of 6 adults and one 18 month baby.
Our table was squashed in the corner of a very dark, crowded and quite cold room. The atmosphere was grim. Despite pre booking and checking if it was ok to bring the baby there was no mention until the day that there are no high chairs or any other facility for small children. The staff seemed surprised that we should want such a thing.
On top of this the service was appalling. Only 2 of the staff seemed even remotely competent and the kitchen was clearly in chaos. The orders were taken at the bar and paid for in advance. The guy who wrote them down couldn't read his own writing and missed off one of the starters, this was brought to the table some 1/2 an hour after the others by which time we had all swapped round to make up for the missing dish. However the staff were keen to remind us that it had not yet been paid for!
The main course arrived an hour after the first and then was of very very poor quality. 2 of us had fish and chips which were obviously birds eye style frozen triangles of second rate fish. Another person had salmon fish cakes which were still cold in the middle and all her veg was stone cold. When I asked for it to be heated up the staff were less than impressed and actually tutted at me.
2 of us had roast dinners (lamb and beef) both of which were very poor. I can't believe any of the food was prepared or cooked fresh. There was plenty of food on the plate but we didn't want any of it!. Although the prices were quite reasonable none of the meals were worth the money.
The pub may offer the defence of suffering a power cut but that did not happen until we were about to leave and cant excuse the use of poor quality frozen products.
The only saving grace was that the beer was excellent.
So if you want any more than a drink give this place a miss.
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This pub must try and address the problems it has been having with car thefts and breakins. Perhaps better lighting and/or CCTV. I don't feel too comfortable going there and having a drink and wondering if some oik isn't trying to get into my car.
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Pub has always been lovely, and is a proper local freehouse. The food is lovely, proper pub grub, the sort of food I expect my mum to russle up, rather than anything looking gourmet. Staff are nice people, and it is a very friendly pub full of regulars. Sunday lunch is superb, always busy so be perepared to wait, but the sheer amount of food you get is worth the wait. Glorious in summer.
anonymous - 4 Oct 2007 10:56 |
visited this pub on sunday, food was great & loads of it, can definatley recomend the roast lamb, just like my mum used to make, all home cooked. only one downside, the gentleman with the beard that served us had on very dirty looking clothes(a bit of a put off),the rest of the staff looked presentable, luckily the food & beer made up for it. hopefully the manager may see this and have a word, as i could well put more people off.
anonymous - 3 Sep 2007 12:59 |
A really Surrey fave, yet only just down the road from the A217. Great beer, lovely beer garden, good quality home cooked food. If only all pubs could be this relaxing...
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Food excellent quality, only complaint is there is too much of it. Nice relaxed atmosphere, good beer, feels like a country pub lost in the lanes
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A fine pub - now a rarity. If you're looking for a traditional country pub with excellent beers and decent food there are now, sadly, hardly any competitors left in the area.
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So far I've only had beer in here - enjoyed a very decent pint of Adnams. The menu looks sensible, the location is splendid, the garden charming and the pub buildings represent the best of a fast disappearing establishment. Best pub for miles, by miles.
Will be heading back soon - previous visit gap being circa 35 years...
Pip-pip
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Excellent all around. Food Good, beer/ale selection good, lovely beer garden, great burgers!
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We've looked for this pub a couple of times but always turned back "it can't possibly be down here". Anyway, took a chance and are pleased we did. Had a lovely meal - the first time in ages I'd had to leave some of my meal in spite of it being very tasty and piled with fresh veg. The Landlord and Landlady couldn't have been any friendlier and my boyfriend delighted to find they had his favourite beer on. What more could you ask for! We'll be back soon.
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We discovered this pub by chance yesterday whilst taking a different route on the bikes. Great discovery, freindly and welcoming, good beer and the ploughmans was enormous and by far the best I've had in years.
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Visited this pub today with a group of walkers. Really nice place, plenty of room, real fire: a traditional English country pub. Good, cheap food with huge portions. Nice pint of Adnams on and I'm told the London pride was pretty good too. Well worth a visit.
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I represent the family friendly virago star motorcycle club, we meet here twice monthly. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, they always have a good selection of real ales, the food is superb, the portions are very generous. In short we love the place.
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havent been there for ages but gave it another try on a wednesday evening and enjoyed the food and beer. Definately worth a visit and a bite to eat - Im sure the toilets have been relocated though!
moany - 20 Jan 2007 17:44 |
This is by far the best pub for miles for real ale, food has always been good albeit a tad expensive, dogs also welcome which may not be to everybodys taste but this is a pub that relys on passing ramblers/dog walkers. recommended
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As an infrequent user of this pub just like to coment on its always welcome friendly feeling when ever you venture through the door both from the staff and the customers, makes it a pleasure to make the effort to visit
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Interesting old building with a slightly out of place conservatory tacked on. Pleasant sloping garden containing the eponymous well. Friendly young staff, welcoming atmosphere, 3 (at least) distinct areas. Fine selection of micro beers (Cottage, Bunce's & Westerham)plus London Pride. Cottage Golden Arrow on top form. Good value, varied menu - believe what they say about the homemade chilli. Worth a trip.
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I didn't visit this little gem until January this year so can't comment on the previous regime, but my experience since then suggests it is well back on track. It serves an unusually broad range of well-kept and interesting (mainly local) ales, and the food here has been nothing less than excellent - good balance of bar snacks and more substantial fare.
Understandably popular with the suit and office brigade at lunchtimes; don't know about the evenings - I must find out.
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i agree with the last poster about the music, think it is onen60s cd on continueous play.
otherwise good pub, beer, food and quiz all good
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Nice old fashioned pub, with calm pleasant atmosphere. Not sure about the piped music - OK if you like 60s. But otherwise the food is good - decent sized helpings - and overall very good value. Good choice of real ale. Definitely one of the best pubs in the area.
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It didnt go bust, the two old landlords nicked loads of money from the safes and did a runner. I hope they see this post and feel very guilty. Open again now and very nice indeed.
anonymous - 19 Mar 2006 22:11 |
yippee, its now open again with the same staff and all of those real ales. The dog can go for a walk again!
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Still shut but it's not obvious what's going on. Lights are still on, table umbrellas deployed. Wierd.
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Considering the amount of front of house socialising that went on I'm not especially surprised.
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It is indeed still shut.
I find it hard to believe that they would have gone bust, they did a cracking trade most lunchtimes. If it's true I'll be shedding some tears. This is/was a fabulous pub.
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A very nice traditional country pub up until a week ago,apparently they've gone bust !!!! (pub shut)
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Perhaps Parkhillian, you should try the William Morris. Lordy, lordy.
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ooh, get you stephenb and your sarky comments...
I can only apologise if I'm in a minority that doesn't like a pub so quiet that people on other tables join in your conversation.
But then again, you like the Princess Of Wales in Merton. For heavens sake....
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This is a nice, genuine cosy country style pub that is warm and welcoming with a pretty garden. Good for those with dogs, and it serves good beer and food. The last thing it needs is piped music!! For heavens sake....
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They do need to sort the dog issue out - it just isn't on to stroke the dogs then carry on serving food and drink without washing hands first - something that they do all the time I'm afraid. Pity.
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Great spot and nice small garden. Good English pub with lots of character(s?). Beer is really good and all in worth a visit.
One complaint ... we are dog owners and always take the same with us to pubs ... however, that dog mentioned below leaves unwanted gifts all around the garden as do his friends (not ours). Much nicer if they were cleared up!!
anonymous - 9 May 2005 18:07 |
Found this pub to really quaint, good selection of real ales, and pleasant food and surroundings. And they dont mind the dog.
neilt - 28 Jan 2005 12:02 |
Nice old style pub that's close enough to civilisation to make it a decent local but nestled deep enough into the country side to make you think you're in the middle of nowhere !
It is a very quiet place , so be careful with your choice of topic's for conversation - You may be over-heard by the land-lord and other frequenters !!
Slightly strange lay-out but that does lend itself well to the pubs overall charm and character.
Slightly worrying sight of the worlds Largest Dog Bowl under one seat ! I'd hate to see the Dog that drinks from that bowl. Saying that, I did over-hear some locals discussing Warewolves..............
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Surprisingly big for a pub in the middle of nowhere. Nice though, friendly staff, clean and tidy, Coors on tap (my head hurts).
Could do with some piped music however. It was very quiet when we arrived and it felt as if we had to speak in whispers!
Not bad though, must go back one day to try the food.
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Good Ale & Food
I have eaten here at least a dozen times, all meals were very good. A good range of veggie options. An effeicient landlady staff. An aussie friend said this was the classic english pub. 9/10
Paul Williams - 1 Oct 2004 16:34 |
Very old pub, part 14th Century, difficult to find but worth it, three rooms, nice beer, food OK, pity about the large dogs.
Nick - 12 Jul 2004 13:20 |
