please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
3 ales on tap. Doom Bar was ok, Tribute was excellent but went offsale early and wasn't replaced.
My review of April 2012 praised them for over-sized line-level glasses - these weren't in evidence last week and every pint was short.
Brewdog's Nanny State is sold which is good news for drivers, but you still get charged the same as for beer with alcohol. There's a hefty discount in the cost price as there's no duty, yet the pub is trousering the extra margin. £3.75 in this pub, £1.25 in Tesco.
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Have driven past this pub loads of times. Made an impromptu visit today and was very pleasantly surprised by the interior. Loads of tables very pleasant atmosphere attentive staff and some lovely open fires and a very acceptable Sunday lunch.
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We had lunch here last week. 3 beers on - in reasonable condition. Food was good quality but portions were very small. Menu was grossly misleading. The left hand "Our Choice" listed a small range of starters, mains and deserts, available Monday to Friday 12.00 to 19.00. Small print said "2 courses from �10,95, 3 courses from �13.95". The format was deliberately similar to that used in other pubs and restaurants to present a fixed price lunch menu - BUT it was NOT a fixed price menu. Every dish had a separate charge. Although we chose from this menu, we were annoyed to be given a food bill for several pounds more than we expected. Staff refused to apologise or refund the difference - pointing to the "from " word. Ironically the right hand longer list of choices on the menu is available all day and evening with normal size portions. Expensive for a pub restaurant by Guildford standards. CAVEAT EMPTOR !
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3 Good ales here and some pretty good pizzas even though it can take a while 2 arrive. Very eating orienatated and modern decor.
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Went for lunch this Friday - not too busy. Food not cheap but priced in line with most pubs round here.
Only 1 ale on handpump - Doom Bar - but was in pretty good condition. Only had a half but was impressed that the glasses were line-level over-sized. It may not be cheap but getting all the beer you pay for makes it better value.
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Been there a couple of times to eat - did a nice pint of Adnams Broadside while I was last there (also Doombar). Food is unbelievably expensive and service was unbelievably slow - it took two and three-quarter hours to serve a three course lunch. So pop in for a quick pint - there isn't much alternative in Merrow - but eat somewhere else unless you have all day or all evning
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It's now operated by the same group that runs the Wotton Hatch which is about five miles east on the A25. The Wotton Hatch will not appeal to everyone but it's a lot better than the Horse & Groom where they offer the same menu as the Hatch and similar beers. At the moment the Horse & Groom seems totally lacking in any warmth, as an example the day I went there I was served by a barman who came and stood in front of me and simply raised his eyebrows.
I think I'll leave it for a while.
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Good pub years ago not any more shame.
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It's a shame, this is basically still the same pub but the prices have increased heartily to pay for the new furniture.
Just popped in to share a bottle of wine with friends - �22 and that does not come with a smile or a thank you.
Perhaps one to miss in future which is a shame, I used to like this pub before it's 'make-over'. Change is good, but only if it's for the better.
Not in this case folks!
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Fancy new refurb, but beneath it all it is still the same mediocre pub.
I had an uninspiring pint of TEA. 3 taps, but one of them not on. 3 taps have been removed in the refurb so less choice, but even at that the only 2 on were nondescript. And with so much spent on refurbishment I would have thought that the beer tap would be in working order - according to the barman it had a leak and required muscles of steel to actually manage to draw any beer with it.
Given the comments below I didn't try the food, but the people on the next table were singularly unimpressed so maybe a bullet dodged.
The staff make everything look like a really big effort. I smile and some cheerfulness would go a long way!
I'll come back after the festive season when hopefully things will have settled down.
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We went there last night despite of hearing of two cases of food poisioning since it has reopened, how stupid are we. ordered two cod and chips, one fish came raw inside and the other was warm, not hot. The chips had been sitting around for a while and were also only just warm. We sent both back, waited a further twenty mins before our meals returned only slightly better.
With so many good food pubs around Guildford this is one to miss.
Awful !!!
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I have known the Horse & Groom for many years but I confess I have not been in since the latest in a long line of refurbs. As suggested I've had a look at your website and in particular the menu - look as though we have yet another gastropub to add to the many already in Surrey.
But I wish you well.
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Good Afternoon All,
this is an update as to what is going on at the horse and groom we are currently having a clean new interior and a major refit, this is not to become a Harvester but a premium pub at reasonable prices.
we are going to be serving Daily specials and some theme nights like fish night and grill night, we are looking to attract all the old clientele and hopefully new faces to the business we aim to please all of our guests with our high standards and freshly sourced food, with a great team of staff to make sure your evening goes smoothly and great choice of wines to enjoy infront of one of the 4 fires this winter, we have some very experinced chefs to cater for all needs.
We will be open 7 days a week 365 days a year so please look out on our website for all dates for your diarys, we are planning to have a big open party which is guest list so log onto our website to register for the evening. website will be up and running in a few days.
We look forward to seeing you at the Horse and Groom and we will aim to keep you all updated.
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Passed by this pub this morning. There is a fence all round it, portacabins outside and lots of men in hard hats. You'll struggle to get a lunch time pint there today!
Anyone know if this is a permanent closure? I'd heard it was turning into a Harvester.
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decent edge of town pub with good quality beer. worth a go.
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Not great but seems reasonably busy so no incentive to change anything.
Can have the atmosphere of that pub in Terminal 5 when quiet and the food is ropey, but the range and the churn of beers is impressive and they are usually in good nick.
Only niggle is I've had to return a few pints and several times this has been questioned. 'Noone else has complained' does not cut it when you've paid for a pint of Sarsons.
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Used this place a few times, the beer is always in good condition and the food is excellent value when compared to most pub food prices, thursday night for example, a pint of london pride and a bowl of curry for �5.99, you'll have to go a long way to beat that.
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The pub has been up and down, but generally it has been pretty good and right now it is certainly going through a good spell. The varied selection of decen ales, well kept, make it worth a regular call and...the food is fine and good value which makes a change from many other pubs in the locality who have London aspirations where price is concerned and local canteen capability where cooking is concerned.
Give the pub a visit.
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Visited there on 11th July. Food was good value for money - but remember it is an Ember Inn so don't expect too much. Bar staff very keen to help. Good range of beers. But..the place is far too big for the number of regulars. Bit like a morgue. Punters quite un-chave like which is always a good indication of a decent place.
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My husband and I went to this pub on Valentine's evening. We weren't expecting much of the food but were very impressed by the quality and the value for money. The fishcake starters were beautiful and the crayfish tails very yummy. My husband ordered steak medium rare and it was exactly to order. We both ordered puddings - chocolate tart and sticky toffee pudding - both huge and incredibly nice. This meal was one of the nicest I have had for a long time and much better than many serving food for 50% more. I would definitely recommend it.
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We have been fairly regular users of the Horse and Groom over the past 3-4 years, as we live within reasonable walking distance. First comment is that the food is cheap but relatively good value. Second comment is that it has suffered through poor management over the last 12 months, reflected in the clientele which appears to have declined in numbers as a result, poor basic care (dirty menus, salt and pepper pots and soggy napkins around cutlery) and the staff who used to be so open, welcoming and friendly. A shame - because it had built a strong customer base and was a good place for cheap, quickly served pub food.
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Staff were friendly, atmosphere was pretty good. However, with their Tuesday 5.99 for a 10oz Steak (or other Grill item) and a pint it seemed to be good value. However, eventhough it listed the beers or coke/diet coke, one couldn't have cider instead and the coke/diet coke was only small... why couldn't I have a pint of Diet Coke instead of the pint of beer? So, I changed my mind and ordered the Game Pie with mash and veg.
The veg was a mixture of over-done and under-done and, whilst the pie filling was a resonable gravy and meat mix, the crust was solid as a rock on one-half with a burnt inside on that half, and was soft/soggy the other.
Would go to this pub again: for drinks, yes. For food, absolutely not.
Hmmm.
zipit - 23 Jan 2008 12:29 |
Not a bad pub, but I wouldn't seek it out if I wasn't a local. A good selection of real ale which is usually in good condition. Would like to see some less well known real ales selected.
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Another trad.pub ruined by a pub chain.Used to be a top pub when it was 2 bars now a microwave eating hole.
Inside decor has got to have been the choice of a female which is awful in my book.
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Good choice of beers but overlit interior and microwave food menu (though very good value for money). Historical pub not presented in its best possible light but OK for a quick beer or two and a steak and ale pie.
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Called in for a pint at mid-day. Service was so slow (other punters fiddling about with food orders!!!) that I didnt stay for a drink. Food pubs really ought to employ more staff!
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Large pub set in a lovely old building. Unfortunately the inside does not quite come up to the same standard - it's very modern and rather over-lit. A beer festival was in progress when I visited, which meant a good number of ales with some unusual and well-served guests. We attended on quiz night: the quiz was quite enjoyable but we felt the number of teams getting near full marks in what was a reasonably challenging quiz may have indicated some strategic use of mobile telephony. So, a perfectly reasonable place but probably no point doing the quiz unless you're a genius or prepared to cheat.
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Fantastic service and real ale. Nice relaxed and clean modern atmosphere.
pinga - 10 Dec 2006 20:24 |
Known to the locals as Doom & Gloom sums it up .Bloody chain pubs hate them
anonymous - 29 May 2006 09:41 |
Very nice pub away from the Guildford town centre evening scraps! Nice food, punters are all ages, bar staff are good too.
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The best pub in the area, great food and an excellent quiz night on Sundays. Great Prize!!!
anonymous - 17 May 2005 20:05 |
A nice outdoor area and a pub that sells spitfire should always be considered well. Just why wasnt the cigerette ash cleaned off the table. Thats not much of a minus though
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Fantastic pub if you want to relax and have a chat. ALso best quiz machine in Surrey!
Anon - 14 Jul 2004 12:19 |
this pub is the best one ive ever been to, its a shame the gorgeous barmaid with long dark hair no longer works there.
benji - 24 May 2004 22:28 |
the h&g is a great pub, brilliant for summer evenings. its a chilled atmosphere, great for relaxing. some call it the doom and gloom because its quiet, but i like it that way.
anonymous - 15 Feb 2004 21:53 |
laid back not for clubbers..chilled atmosphere great for couple night good food
excellent surroundings
a chance to step out of the rat race
manager drop dead gorgeuos too..
rotti - 15 Dec 2003 22:43 |
Great pint, nice food, log fires, mixed crowd, its a pity they have no TV area to watch football
anonymous - 18 Oct 2003 01:24 |
Big old pub, now done up with "homey" decor.
Vindaloo - 13 Aug 2003 13:07 |
