please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Rumour has it locally that the excellent 3H is to close as of today, Monday 31st December 2018. I'm outside now and can't see any sign of life, but then it wouldn't normally be open on a Monday lunchtime. It'll be a very sad loss if it shuts permanently; it's one of the last rural pubs still focused on local drinkers, albeit that it offers perfectly respectable food. I'm assured Pam the owner has her reasons, but it won't be picked-up as a going concern unless it's available at the right price, and even then there needs to be a decent dollop of luck in the right person with the right money emerging at the right time with the right ideas. Could be the end of an era.
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Very happy today with excellent Burning Sky's Plateau and Dark Star Hophead (just a trifle warm) and lovely food. Regulars were all chaps, one giving it max about women drivers luckily my other half and chief driver for the day, so I could imbibe, was in the loo. Otherwise friendly pub and helpful and courteous Czech barlady. Recommended.
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The previous incumbent left in February 2015 after six generally successful years at the helm. I heard repeated rumours of things having slipped significantly since, as the actual owner of the pub had elected to take back management of it, despite seemingly having little notion of, or interest in, how to do it. Happily however, a well-informed local source told me recently that she appears to have relented, and has brought in someone to manage the 'Shoes who actually seems to know how to run a boozer effectively. Following receipt of this good news, I paid it my first visit in a year and a half last week.
I found the place to be in generally decent order - a respectable range of cask beers had been restored to the bar (a mix of more ubiquitous offerings for the less adventurous and some more interesting fare for the more seasoned), and the two I tried were served nicely - the Surrey Hills Ranmore in particular was very well conditioned. Otherwise, a familiar set of other big brand keg fonts were in play for those whose palates have yet to catch on to cask!
The pub did seem much more focused on being a drinkers' venue, and I am bound to say that bar the staff, all the punters in at that point were chaps. That doesn't mean that's representative of all times of course, or that it is in any way an anti-female place. Also, it was clear from the blackboard that food is still served, and menus were on the sidelines for the sessions when the kitchen is open. Having not eaten yet however I can't pass judgement on the quality or range of the solid wares.
Decor-wise the pub had been spruced up since my last emergence, which shows willing, although for my preferences, it was a touch too bright and front roomy. Still, a minor point that certainly shouldn't put a potential punter off. In more clement weather the garden remains a draw, especially for larger family-orientated groups.
All-told, I think the TH seems to be back on the up, provided it is managed by a person who knows the ropes and responds to local demand - and who can get on with the landlady, who really just needs to sit back and let a pro do the work and she can take her money. Best of luck folks.
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Went in one Saturday lunchtime and thought the food and beer was good.
A young couple seated at the back had a kiddie with them that they kept mostly under control.
All well and good, as they were there for lunch and left not long after.
However in the main bar were two men with buggies, each with a screaming baby, and a kiddie running about.
Puts me off going to a pub to find it has become more of a creche.
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Me and my girlfriend are new to the area and we've only ever visited the pub twice. First was a lunchtime, and the area of the bar with the real ale pumps was blocked by a group of locals / regulars. One guy in particular was very rude and just wouldn't allow access to the bar. The second was a Friday evening with a different gang of locals. Younger, louder and even ruder than the lunchtime mob. I go along with one of the other comments about who actually runs the place. My girlfriend will never set foot in the place again. Don't think I will either. The beer and food are reasonable, though not as fantastic as some reviewers have posted.
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Traditional old fashioned Free House Pub with excellent food and drink.
Went last Sunday and had a superb roast pork dinner, desserts and good wine and beer. My husband enjoyed the well kept Pilgrim bitter and is always impressed by the excellent condition of the Pub's good selection of real ales.
Don't understand comments about customer in-fighting, but you can't please everyone. Perhaps less stools at the bar? Personally, we always have a good time and the beer garden is lovely on a warm evening.
Vicki & Laurie
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Good little country pub, cosy, nice garden. Had no problem with the beer or cider, it was fine. Food is very good. I must admit with previous comments that the loud local pensioners who ALWAYS seem to be there (whatever the time!!) hog the part of the bar that welcomes you in from the door, forcing you to work around them. Get them up the end so customers can see the bar.
alboy - 28 Jul 2013 08:55 |
Lovely pub, good food and friendly staff. Visited here a couple of times in the last few weeks. standards are consistant. Best to book at weekends for food.
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I've been away for 18 months and couldn't wait to go back to the 'Shoes one evening last week. What a transformation.....downwards. The beer was decidedly iffy. Not completely off, but sour. Food is the big thing now but doesn't really live up to the hype. But as posted by some others, the worst thing is the gang of loud rude locals who seem to think they run the place and have some sort of divine right to be downright unpleasant and block access to the bar. My workmates and me were going to try to organise a retirement dinner at the 'Shoes for an old friend, but we weren't at all impressed. We'll now be looking elsewhere. What a shame. Why can't things stay as they are?
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Good country pub with a fine range of beer (especially now the Youngs and Harveys have gone). Pilgrim, Surrey Hills and Dark Star are sold instead. Now just to get rid of the Fullers.........
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Reasonable selection of beers and the Surrey Hills was in excellent condition. Shame about the bunch of locals that crowd the end of the bar where the handpumps are, but getting served further along wasn't a problem. The food was very good too (toad in the hole). The pub has a large car park, an attractive garden and is an ideal stopping off point if travelling to Gatwick from the North. I can imagine the locals would wind me up a bit, when I'm trying to see what beers are on, as they stubbornly refuse to move, but still worth a return visit or two.
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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. The Shoes has managed it.
Congratulations Rob on continuing to learn and focus on your beer (contrary to the last review many of us realise you do work hard on that and it's certainly not all about food for you). Mind you, you might wish to get some of those raucous regulars in check; they sound like a right pain in the posterior...!
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What a disappointment. I returned after a couple of years away. The beer was OK apart from one dodgy pint from the end of the barrel, but all the focus is on food. The landlord seems to think it's better than it really is. The worst thing was the gang of regulars. Very loud, unfriendly, unwilling to make space at the bar for service and clearly the ones who really run the place. I'd been warned about them but needed to see for myself. This seems to be at odds with most other reviews, but it was my experience and I won't be going back.
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Stopped off for lunch and the food was good. They also had an impressive 7 ales on when I visited and the landlady was very friendly and welcoming. Nice garden out the back too. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.
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Visited today for a quick couple of pints and was impressed.
Bar staff were very friendly and efficient. 4 ales were on plus Aspel cider. Seemed to be doing a good trade on food.
Very pleasant country pub with a very nice beer gardden out the back.
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Have been twice for meals recently with friends and family. As usual, the food was excellent and all the real ale drinkers enjoyed their pints of beer. In our opinion one of the best local pubs for fresh, well cooked top quality food, nicely presented on hot plates. The chefs are to be congratulated and Rob and Jen are always friendly and welcoming. Well done! Must get there more often!
Vicki & Laurie Williams
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We only visit this pub twice a year when flying out of Gatwick, however the Landlord seems to recognise us!!! Excellent food as always, beer choice was varied and in good condition. Had a pint of the Challenger (?) stout brewed locally, nearer a porter than a Guiness but very tasty, hope you keep it however if the general public want Guiness unfortunately it is a business decision....shame! Will be back in late February for Sunday Lunch!
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Excellent beer festival going on with some good hoppy brews. Dark Star Hophead is now a regular on the bar. The landlord is really trying to make a go of this pub and it certainly is worth a visit for good beer and food.
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Nice pub to be at on a sunny day today. Looked like regular beers at front of main bar are Pride, ESB, Ordinary and Harveys Best. Guests around the corner were King's Brighton Blonde (�3.05) and Atomic Half Life. King's was ok just not a great beer. Maybe from comments below they are trying to do too much. Worth a visit.
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I don't know what's happening at this pub. Someone's lost the plot. Food now seems to be the focus at the expense of ale quality . I've had three bad guest ales in my last three visits. Sour, and with sediment. Twice it seemed like they tried to serve beer which had been in the pipes for ages. Once it was from the bottom of the barrel trying to get as much out as possible and relying on the English Disease of customers not complaining. The best thing about the pub in recent months was an evening with the band that ILUVALE mentioned. Good 60s music and a great atmosphere. On two recent visits the usual group of locals sitting at the bar were rude and obstructive and seemed to resent the fact that outsiders were setting foot in their pub. Looks like they're the mafia who really run the place.
It's not the place I'll go for a great pint any longer. A real shame.
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Went here on saturday Night, (19th Feb )lovely pub. The Guest beers were not at their best been on all week. Will visit again soon and try again.
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A great pub! Rob and Jenny have improved what was always a good pub and the range of beers has increased. It's always served well at OK prices. The food is good too. There seems to be more live music these days. We saw a fab 60s band called Strange Hobby who had the place rocking and singing along. Look out for them if they go back.
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Not a bad place to pop in for a beer, but sadly there is too much from the big brewers on sale here (Fullers and Youngs predominate). The food is good though.
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Great beer and food, good atmosphere.Have dined here and also popped in for a beer occasionaly on a friday night when after 9pm tends to be drinkers like most nights the landlord Rob tells me he says unfortunately in this era you cannot be reliant on just the drinker and tries to keep a happy medium.The seperate room is used for private functions have had a couple there and always been great, can see why they dont open up as it is quite isolated from the pub, which is ideal for private parties especially with children like us.
As far as i was aware they have been closing at 7 since last year as most sundays after that time there had been no one in the pub and they persevered for 2 years shutting at 10.30.
To me this is still a traditonal pub with food not the other way round, would go more often if i was more local.
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Great beer, good food, really nice atmosphere. Does get a bit crowded at times, and seems to prefer diners more than someone who pops in for the beer, understandable as there are not many chimney pots nearby. They have a large dining room available for parties etc., pity they do not use this on normal nights as the extra space in the main bar would be welcome. Last time I popped in they closed early on a Sunday evening at 7pm, not sure if this still applies, perhaps one of the regulars could advise?
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Since my last BITE appraisal of Oct '06 of this establishment, I can report many a happy visit since, especially since Rob Martinez took over the reigns in '08, and began making subtle changes for the better. He has realised that as a country local the pub worked very effectively as it was, and neither the layout nor the decor needed much in the way of alteration. Consequently, it still has a thriving core of regulars who remain comfortably loyal to the place, and for a pub in such a quiet location, such consistent custom must create a real fillip for Rob and his team to work hard to maintain the pub's high regard. A mix of punters can always be found around the bar engaged in active debate, and some enlightened conversations usually can be had whether you're a regular or not.
Whilst not making unnecessary changes, Rob spotted the 8 handpumps on his bar, has saw the benefit of bringing in a variety of more interesting cask ales, as the local market clearly showed some demand for this. Happily, we now see the 4 regular offerings from Fuller's, Wells & Young's, Harvey's, plus diverse guest beers from a wide selection of usually small brewers - the likes of Ramsbury, Langham, Rebellion, Surrey Hills, Hammerpot et al have been seen at the pumps, and Rob will always take the time to seek opinions from experienced palates as to the quality of the featured ales. He is a man who I believe is relatively new the this game, but has nevertheless developed a respectable reputation as a landlord of a Good Beer Guide-listed pub through sheer hard work and willingness to learn quickly.
He has successfully channelled these attributes further by holding an annual beer festival every May - sadly I missed this year's but 2009's was a superb effort for a maiden attempt by a small country pub.
In summary, the 'Shoes is a cracking boozer for good ale, keen discussion, and I understand hearty food too, and one feels at home in the extensive garden in Summer, and by the fire in Winter. Keep it up folks!
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Went there tonight. Buzzing with people, just as a real pub should be.
Four of us - three had the fish pie and it was delicious, according to my friends, and I had the liver and bacon - sublime! Real home cooking and good wine. What more could you want for a night out.
Many congratulations to Rob and Jenny.
Made a mental note to come back more often, even if one of us has to be the driver!
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Decided to pay this pub a visit after the positive comments below. A nice enough exterior encloses a spacious and welcoming interior, home to seven ales on the Sunday I visited. The Pilgrim's Talisman was particularly fine and well kept. This accompanied a tasty and generous roast beef, all dished up with friendly and quick service. With good food and beer, (and space for rug rats if you have such things)... what's not to like? Pay it a visit if you're in the area.
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Turned up covered in snow on a Saturday lunchtime, but could not have been made more welcome. Happy to produce a great vegetable curry (even though not on menu). Spot on local bitters (Shere Drop and a Westerham one, as well as the more mainstream breweries.
Looks a little down at heel on the outside, but well worth a visit.
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Rob has breathed new life into this pub, and his enthusiasm is infectious. Recently has had a beer festival featuring mostly local beers. It is so good to see a pub supporting local suppliers. Well worth popping into for a pint or two.
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First visit for many years and delighted to say it's a great ale pub. A warm welcome and keen interest in seeing we had a good evening. Dark Star Hophead and Dorking Number One both reasonably well kept if not totally perfect on this occasion. Highly recommended and I will be returning soon
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A gem on the Surrey backroads with a welcoming proper pub feel. 8 ales on , the Whippet reSession was light and refreshing. Couple of blokes in a BMW asked the way to the clay pigeon shooting - judging by the state of the back window they should have been after the real ones !
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Have visited twice this year, what a find. A pub that can serve up to eight real ales in exceptional condition is a complete rarity. A hidden gem. The food is very good too and the landlord states if you are not satisfied with your food he will refund you the cost of your meal. Confidence indeed and he has every right to be confident. Keep it up, and very well done to the Landlord, Landlady and all the staff at The 3 Horseshoes who are terrific.
anonymous - 17 Feb 2009 07:37 |
Recommended by a friend...I was not dissappointed, good food, very well presented,fresh vegatables, and HOT plates ,something most Pubs forget!infact they cooked me something that was not on the menu, as my friend had said how tasty it was... thats what I call GOOD service,Have booked again.
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A rare proper pub. With a new ale every week. Good location and reasonable prices not like the over hyped bars in and towards busy London.
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Really excellent local pub, last of a breed. Rob & Jenny are really making a go of this place and the Ales are superb. Basic pub grub is good and the specials and sunday lunches are excellent. Recommend to anyone who just wants to chill out and have a couple of pints in a nice relaxing friendly pub. Long may it last.
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This is an excellent traditional old style pub. The landlord has managed to achieve a balance between drinkers and diners very successfully. My husband and I have just enjoyed a very good sunday lunch; roast pork and roast beef. The pub was very busy with customers at 4 pm, which goes to show its popularity. Rob and Jen, the landlords, are always very welcoming and friendly and we have never heard a harsh word uttered to any customers. Perhaps Mr Chippy person, who obviously knows all about The Millwall Football Terraces should go back there himself and leave the rest of us to enjoy this Pub!
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This pub is a traditional country pub serving good beer i.e Fullers Pride and Youngs. The food is of an excellent standard with a good pub menu at reasonable prices. The landlord is always smartly dressed in a shirt and tie and always welcoming and does his best to look after you. I certainly would not say he should be on thfootball terraces.
I would recommend this pub to anyone go on give it a try.
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I have now been here twice since the new landlord has taken over.
Well, what can I say:
The first time, he barked "What to you want" which took me back a tad.
The second time, I was spoken to so rudely, my wife and I turned on my heels and just walked straight out never to return.
The landlord has obviously missed his vocation and should have stayed in the Millwall football terraces.
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You Must go for the Christmas Lunch here!
Don't worry if you're not into Turkey, however I am sure that is excellent too! You can have Sirloin steak or Salmon fillet or vegetarian, they are very obliging and friendly. Nothing is too much trouble and the food is very high class. Beautifully presented - well we had smoked salmon,some of us soup, steak by most, cooked to perfection and wonderful deserts! Plus lovely mince pies. Bottles of wine are very reasonable. What are you all waiting for? You won't be disappointed. Oh, I feel hungry again just thinking about. Come on you men it's Cask Marque, what more do you want!
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The new licensees Rob and Jenny have turned this pub round in a very short time. Excellent Casque Marque beers and real home cooked food. Nice garden with plenty of seating and umbrellas, plus a marquee to sit in. If you gave up on this pub go back and you won't be disappointed. The food is high quality and fresh - you will not hear the 'ping' of a microwave here! The staff are professional and very eager to please. What more could you ask from a real old fashioned pub. Congratulations to them!
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This is fine. No delusions of grandure here, it does exactly what pubs should do. Traditional local, friendly welcome, nice bunch of locals and decent Harveys. Food is the basics, sandwiches or things and chips, which is all I ever ask for in pub food.
Let's just hope that the gastropub refurbishers can be kept well clear.
It's not a special trip pub, but well worth a look if you find yourself in the area.
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Had a couple of "wilderness" months early 2006 when it was being managed by a misguided individual who ideally wanted to turn it into a restaurant, but is pretty much the same sort of pub as it was when the previously noted deceased landlord was at the helm.
Variety of bitters on the pumps from Fullers (London Pride, ESB), Youngs & Harveys as before, now also Adnams Bitter.
The dartboard (hidden behind one of the bench seats for a little while) has come back, with a darts night on every other Wednesday evening. The Wednesdays in-between play host to quiz night.
A friendly pub not dominated by the food (incidentally was pleasantly surprised by the size of the portions during a lunchtime visit a couple of months back)
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I confess to not having visited since the long-standing previous landlord's death. It always was an excellent local, which welcomed all, served good value food and a range of fairly obvious but very nicely-kept ales. I hope from some of the mixed comments bloe that it hasn't altered that formula in recent times.
Anyone who doesn't know it should give it a chance.
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Actually one of the last really nice pubs with a bit of character! New people in there now, lovely friendly atmosphere with live music now becoming a regular feature. Worth a visit!
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gone to pot totally since the previous landlord died. another pub which now tries to sell itself on high price food rather than the beer.
comared to old times this is now a dead pub with only die hard regulars still using it.
anonymous - 16 Apr 2006 15:26 |
The first place in many years that make you more than welcome.
Tatty around the edges, but definitely worth a visit.
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