please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Not really a pub - more a restaurant with a bit of a bar. Dogs NOT welcome. Four ales on - Greene King IPA, Hog's Back TEA, Adnam's and Sharp's Doombar (standard fare, but deeply unimaginative - and there are several good craft breweries in this area). Decent pint of Hog's Back "Hazy Hog" cider (made by Thatchers). Middle-aged landlady with a bizarre 2000s emo asymmetric long fringe and shaved short at the back, and more orange fake tan than Donald Trump visiting Essex. All other staff were Eastern European - pubs wonder why locals won't support them when they won't employ locals! Service was glacially slow and largely unhelpful. Portions stingy - lamb arrived cold and had to be sent back for reheating twice, and my "10oz" steak (little more than half that) arrived charred. I'd asked for it to be moderately well done, not blackened. It was largely flavourless, rescued only by a rather good pepper sauce. A request to obtain a beef wellington without chicken liver paté was rejected as apparently it's all pre-prepared. Variations on the menu are impossible here. The veal was skipped as it's Dutch veal. My brother's summer fruits meringue proved to be just a plate of fruit with a 1-inch-diameter wafer-thin disc of meringue, more ornamental than part of the food. The prices are eye-wateringly expensive too. As for the building - it certainly has character, and it is mercifully devoid of dove-grey paint, but the windows are small and it's really dark and dingy - not helped by drapes being hung on all the dining room windows (presumably for diners' privacy). The tables and chairs are child-sized and really crammed in - it made for a most uncomfortable experience, with no elbow room whatsoever. Noise levels were high, and the inanity of the bellowed conversation at other tables was truly depressing. Ceilings are VERY low - I'm only 5ft 10ins tall and had to duck through the room between the bar and dining room - to be expected with such an old pub, I suppose. However, on the basis of my experience, I will neither return nor recommend the Withies to anyone else.
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A very good find. It is "old fashioned" in the best sense of the word. The drink is good and the food is excellent; the location is out-of-the-way, but is very pleasant. Yes, the people waiting on table are "mature" but that is no bad thing, when you consider how an inexperienced waiter can mangle an order. This will be worth coming back to when I am in the area again. 8/10
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Big pub but much of the inside is set aside for restaurant type tables. Huge garden. Green King and Adnams on, only tried the Adnams which was fine. Restaurant food is at the top end of the price range but bar type meals are much more reasonable. Staff are all "older types" who actually seem to know how to run a pub, so service is fast and faultless.
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Large pub, L shaped inside. Packed solid Tuesday lunch time with diners. Must be good, to be so popular - seeing how it's stuck up a rough country lane in the outback. Difficult to get served with a drink at the bar so we left without ordering.
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I liked it but the overall impression was Fawlty Towers!
Nice garden for a drink on a summer evening with plenty of seating in a peaceful setting.
Decent food heavily biased towards seafood and a good selection of steaks. Priced towards the upper end of the range.
Bizarre waiters who all look like they have been working there for 40 years and everything comes on doillies! But polite and efficient.
Three ales on, unfortunately Green King and an Adnams which are not the most exciting but at least there was the local TEA.
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I liked it but the overall impression was Fawlty Towers!
Nice garden for a drink on a summer evening with plenty of seating in a peaceful setting.
Decent food heavily biased towards seafood and a good selection of steaks. Priced towards the upper end of the range.
Bizarre waiters who all look like they have been working there for 40 years and everything comes on doillies! But polite and efficient.
Three ales on, unfortunately Green King and an Adnams which are not the most exciting but at least there was the local TEA.
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Ha ha - Bumble1, I have to agree with your wife - the toilets are spotless. A pet hate of mine are dirty, smelly, toilets in pubs. Love this pub! Went there with hubby today - nice garden , good service and yes - horror! they were wearing uniforms/waistcoats!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!! What a pleasant change to be served by someone who actually wants to be there - not like some of the kids you get behind some town centre bars nowadays. Honestly, you ask for a drink and anyone would have thouhgt you had asked them to run down the road with no clothes on!!!
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Further to my previous review, my wife has chastised me for failing to mention that the ladies toilets (the only way she knows how to rate a pub) are the best that she has ever visited as they are spotless and have fresh anemonies, apparently.
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Lovely place for lunch, although expensive. Clientele a mix of geriatric locals and wannabe city slickers from Guildford. Combines the role of pub and restaurant very well. You need to get there early at lunchtime to avoid having to sit at the far end of the bar, which is like the Black Hole of Calcutta (not a racist remark, there's no daylight). Miners helmets should be provided to see what you're eating. Anyone objecting to the charming old wrinkled retainers in waistcoats would be better suited to Wetherspoons. A jewel, in my opinion.
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Great pub. Heard all sorts about it being snobby - so reserved judgement for when I went.
Very friendly bar lady, made us to feel welcome with a smile - yes the waiters are wearing waistcoats (OH MY GOD!) but funnily enough are also very friendly - Perhaps 'triumph' has a phobia of waistcoats???
Drinks are reasonable prices, food is quite expensive but generally very good. A real gem of a pub. I think their reputation precedes them and a lot of people have made their judgement before they walk in...
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Like most have said, lovely garden and traditional pub feel inside. Sadly we didn't get to try the ale (or food) as we were put off by the pretentious waiters wearing waistcoats (ffs) and the price of the food. If you want to pay �14 for a salad, then this is the place for you. We won't bother returning.
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I used this pub during the recent Sealed Knot battles at Loseley, owners very welcoming and friendly, we had a folk night here on the Saturday. Beer good and reasonably priced for the area, didnt eat so cant comment although it looks pricey. Its true about the waiters - perhaps they should wear smiley masks, all in all well worth avisit if you are in the area.
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Nice old pub great bar some good real ales Tea,Adnams,sussex ale.
only downfall was the resturant,and the waiters didn't seem very happy,they were all getting on a bit,we went in with a crowd of 17 people,we didn't have any choice of menu but a set menu which I thought was not that great,I thought we were going to have the al la carte menu.I thought the cauliflower with cheese and saute potatoes were from a packet,and the mint sauce with the lamb was a jar not fresh,it was very over priced for what we had,there was no friendly atmosphere with waiters.Maybe it was because we weren't local.I think they need to get there house in order first,will not be returning in near future.
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My friend and I went to the Withies for Sunday lunch yesterday. Nothing much had changed in the 5 years since I moved away from the area; it's still quaint in a down at heel sort of way. We settled in to a table and ordered our roast dinners. We didn't even look at the menu as we had already decided that, being Sunday, a roast was in order and, as we arrived, we had been informed that we could have either lamb or beef, before we had even opened our mouths to speak.
The roasts were duly served by an ancient looking chap in a burgundy waistcoat, which was a little incongruous in a country pub, and were very pleasant, if not exceptional.
We should have looked at the menu as we arrived, as we were genuinely amazed when we came to pay the bill. Two roasts and two drinks came to the grand total of �38.70. Slightly stunned and assuming the sweet old lady behind the bar had muddled our bill up with a family of four or a couple who'd maybe had a dessert and a coffee as well, I asked how much the roasts were. "�16.50" she beamed. Obviously noticing the look of horror on my face, she blurted, "But the beef was the very best sirloin". I'm sure it was, but at that price I would have expected my lamb to be the Lamb of God.
Still reeling, we went outside for a cigarette. Presently the sweet old lady opened the door and helpfully suggested that we could go around the side of the pub where there were heaters, as it was a bit chilly. "We'll probably have to put a pound in the meter to make it work" we sniggered, sotto voce.
So, unless you feel like paying London prices for an unexceptional pub lunch, in a down at heel, dark environment, I would recommend you try any of the other excellent pubs there are in the area. We won't be going back.
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I came here for lunch with a large group of people. I phoned ahead a few days before to find out whether I needed to book to be told no it would be fine. On arrival I was told that this wasn't the case and the phone conversation was denied. We sat at a largish table waiting for the rest of our party to come next to a family of four on a similar sized table. Shamelessly one of the waiters announced that this family had nearly finished and we could have their table once they left, leaving the poor family feeling rushed, and me and my party very embarrassed.
The food wasn't up to much and service about on the same par.
I doubt I will be returning.
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A desperately pretentious place. On the plus side: stunning location, beautiful garden resturant setting, perfect for a romantic summer evening dinner or perhaps a Sunday lunch. Restaurant inside looks good too. On the minus side: clientele is dominated by faux-sloane, nouveau-riche types and their brattish teenage kids sitting outside. They behave boorishly as if they own the place, just because they are regulars (big deal!). In addition, there is little to eat apart from proper resturant food, which can only be eaten in the inside or outside restaurant sections. You are 'not allowed' to order from that menu and sit at any other free table (bizarre - their loss, anyway). The bar snacks menu is sandwiches and jacket potatoes - unsuitable for evening pub grub and unsuitable for children at any time of day. They need something in between, but I get the impression that if they don't know you already or it doesn't fit in with their rigid set-up, they couldn't give a monkey's.
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This is a pretty pub with charming garden and efficient staff. While an outdated restaurant and menu is forgiveable (if not expected)in a traditional pub, complacency in delivering overpriced food is not. Tom Aitkens in Chelsea serves roast rack of lamb with herb crust at �16.50, The Withie's at the same price serves up overcooked sunday lunch with gravy which seemed to have more than a touch of bisto about it. I normally give any restaurant a second chance but at unbelievably pretentious prices, I shan't be returning to the Withies - flambeed Steak Diane notwithstanding. With so many good and far less pretentious pubs serving honest pub food, this outdated pub is extremely lucky to have so many loyal if (in my opinion) misguided diners. I'll stick to London's overpriced restaurants in the meantime where chefs hopefully shun the bisto and know what a 'pink' piece of meat should look like. I'm sure it's a great place for soup and a sandwich ....
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What a delightful surprise, absolutely splendid place. We had sunday lunch with friends there recently and it was a throroughly enjoyable experience. The beer was first class, good French wines available and the Roast beef was perfect. Service was friendly if a little slow but there was no rush... it's that sort of place, you want to stay all afternoon. Not cheap but worth everypenny.
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As mentioned below, the food is expensive - �22 for a single serving of beef wellington! even so, booking is recommended.
Other than that, lovely fire place and decor in an olde worlde kind of way, busy for a tuesday - just a reflection of how successful they are.
Go in the summer and sit outside.
Would give it more than a 7 if the food wasn't soo expensive - they should remember that they are still 'only' a pub.
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My South American wife discovered this establishment during an antiques search in the Guildford area and persuaded me to have lunch here on August 6th. As I am not a beer drinker I was reluctant to go but one there I was totally taken in.
The food is excellent - a little pricey!, the service is excellent and the surroundings are superb. A wonderful touch for my wife - we were attended by three Spanish speaking waiters, a Spaniard, a Colombian and an Ecuadorian. A really good excursion!
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Pure quaility this place good beer and food nice setting what more could you want?
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Bugger i must be an old fart because i like this place it takes you back to"the good old days".
We sat outside and ordered off the bar menu which was fine the staff were friendly and service good.
So ChrisF i have joined the club.
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Pub aimed at the stuffy-old-fart brigade, serving some good ales, decent bar snacks, and expensive restaurant-kwality food. Sunday roasts excellent, though don't expect much change out of a purple beer token. Currently serving Hogs Back T.E.A., K+B Sussex bitter, and one other sassion ale which I can't remember. Unusual in having no Poles behind the bar, just a load of old geezers in bow ties.
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What a charming taste of old England. Pubs like this are not suposed to exist any more. A real find. Charming old England attitude played well but not over done. We went for a friday night supper and were treated to suculent oysters and tender sardines (a rarity). The staff were polite and attentive, meeting all our needs.
I would highly recomend a visit (pre-book recomended).
Furthermore, combining the visit with a walk from guildford, over the Surrey downs, would be a delightful sunday afternoon jaunt.
anonymous - 20 Apr 2007 21:53 |
As a party of 4, we went to Withies for the first time to celebrate my 65th birthday. It was great! Maybe the food and ale were above average but was well worth it. Quality food and Real Ale You get what you pay for I say! A local pub/restaurant (part of a national chain) near to me proclaims to re-create a traditional village atmosphere. Their recent advertisement for a chef read 'Chef wanted, no experience necessary'! I rest my case!
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Popped in here after stumbling across it after a country walk. Lovely atmospheric old coaching in. The old dear behind the bar was genuine and friendly, and poured a taster of the bitters so I could choose which one to have. No packets of crisps here, no no, it's a bowl of hand-made crisps (hand picked from the tub as well!). Lady behind the bar mumbled away to herself and asked somebody what day it was - evidently she was not joking, as the till proved to much for her so Lord knows what we ended up being charged for. Endearingly mad, though. Lovely old interior with cosy real fire to sit by. Then a gentleman called the pub saying he'd left his Blackberry behind. "What's that" said the old dear "..is it a type of hat?" A charmingly off-beat half hour spent in here. Quite pricey though, but the entertainment was unintentionally good.
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Sorry ... its overpriced and stuffy. The food mediocre and standards sloppy (we have had food dropped on the floor picked up and served up - I jest not!). The Withies is beautiful and okaaaay for a summer drink in the garden or a winter drink by the fire - food over-rated, prices over-inflated. A shame.
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Tried this pub twice now i found the people a bit up themselves, saying that the food was good the beer and wine was a bit pricey.But i found i did not relax here,so not for me.
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one of my favourite pubs, consistantly good. fantastic staff, very helpfull, strongly reccomended
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beautiful garden to have lunch, and when the suns out, it has to be one of the nicest pubs you could hope for. good food and beer, but it is the setting that seperates it from the rest. what a country pub should be like....
usually some lovely classic cars in the car park as well
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Lovely garden for our lunch, reasonably priced food (bar snacks) served very promptly.
anonymous - 3 Jun 2005 17:16 |
Great food, wine and beer. This establishment has a fantastic atmosphere and is very weloming.
The service is exceptional and the open fire is wonderful on a cold winters day. Set in an idilic country setting, this bar is a must for the true English Pub Conosure.
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Fine Ale, Fine Wine, Great Atmosphere!
Probably The Best Tavern of ALL!
Great Food and Great Service!
Cosey Fire and a Lovely Bear Garden!
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Traditional rural English country pub with open log fire during the winter and a nice beer garden during the summer. Excellent but pricey food and good beers on tap like Hogs Back and Sussex breweries. They also do their own homemade crisps!
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