please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Enjoyed a well kept pint of TEA from Hogs Back Brewery with my fellow walkers today and it seems the landlord might be offering an incentive next month to card carrying walkers. Whether this will be CAMRA or Ramblers cards remains to be seen.
Excellent service from the landlord and his young, very polite staff. Other customers looked to be appreciating the food as well.
|
Henry - As a 'punter' very much in this neck of the woods (thought my username was a bit of a give away tbh) I am well aware of where my pennies are. Both pubs are very good but the King Will had a decided dip in form in the past with unreliable opening times, poor beer etc, but is back as good as ever. I have no axe to grind over either pub as they offer a different experience but the RH is the current GBG Surrey food pub of the year - and both will remain past, present and future recipients of my pennies. You are dead right about the views and the garden is now much improved - but where is that cable car!
|
The King Willy had an entry in the Michelin Guide and were charging much less than the Running Horses for higher quality food along with views to die for. There was plenty of anxiety from the Running Horses camp Fetchman during the credit crunch I can assure you. If only because it showed them up for charging over the top especially when times when were tight. The punters in this neck of the woods might be affluent but they keep an eye on the pennies.
|
I'm working locally and stay at the Running Horses, but eat and drink at both the Running Horses and The King William IV. I count myself lucky to have both establishments available and within walking/staggering distance of each other!
Both do good food, both sell good beer. Staff in both are very friendly. But whilst the weather is warm and fine, then I would opt for the KWIV as a pleasanter venue for sitting outside.
|
A number of improvements have been made since my previous review. Food is now served more hours of the day, and more days of the week. There are more real ales on, they're in better condition, and the staff are more willing to engage in conversation with the customers. I'd loved the pub anyway - but think it's even better now.
|
After a long absence, came here for dinner on Saturday night - Had a very good meal and drinks and the garden is as good as ever - especially at this time of year. Was very busy and some of the organisation was a little lacking but all in all a good evening was had by all. As for the Running Horses down the road having a vendetta against the place - I would say they do quite well with or without the King Will so doubt if they would post on BITE to sabotage the competition. P.S Any chance of a cable car or escalator being installed in the future?
|
Jenny, finally someone with a brain has written a comment on here. For the past 6 years the majority of comments have probably been that of complete morons. It is people like 'nick the flick' who clearly are ignorant to the fact that the KWIV has been in the prestigious Michelin pub guide regularly over the past 6 years, and has been mentioned as the best pub in Surrey in 'Surrey Life'. There is a myth that people from the Running Horses prefer to try and ruin another pub's reputation rather than concentrate on their own business. Perhaps if they did that then they would be the ones winning the awards and getting into the good beer guides?
As for the old landlord, they guy was a legend. The best thing one of the idiots below said was "Basil Fawlty is alive and well". He was a lot like Basil, and who doesn't like Basil? The guy managed to get rid of the riff raff and morons who came into the pub to try and destroy it's great reputation, and in turn accepted the people who wanted to enjoy the pub for what it is. It's people like 'Nick the flick' who he would kick out and get rid of. So good on him, he did a fantastic job of getting the place in the great state it is in now. I'm sure the new owners will do a fantastic job, and I for one will be going back soon.
|
This is for nicktheflick and the like........... your last comment is the most bad mannered post ever read, when someone dies you should keep your disgraceful comments to yourself. As you don't seem to like any landlords/ladies and have such high standards! maybe you should buy your own place and see what it's really like.
Hope you are ashamed of yourself for what you wrote, you are what most people abhor.
|
I believe he has gone, gone to meet his maker.... The place has been for sale for ages, shame to see such a long established and once popular haunt go downhill over the last few years. Wonder how much longer it will last?
|
The new landlords gone already, really ????????????
|
Thank you Eye. Not a one off poster. I respect your comment. Well done new landlord.
|
Yes the new landlord has gone a great job and I must say everything about the pub is absolutely brilliant. Customers please visit at once!
|
Yawn.
|
The king william the fourth is one of my favourite pubs around the area. Good beer and a good place to go in the evenings. I've not been in there for lunch as it's a bit out of the way from my work so I don't know if their menu varies from day to night, but I've tried some of the food they do in the evening and it's all been really good.
Definitely have a look if you haven't yet.
|
My family and I regularly take trips up to Boxhill on the weekends (we live in and travel from Bracknell) and we recently found the King William tucked away up the hill behind Frascati's.
We've been a few times now and the food has been very good each time, the service has been good but I've not really had a chance to try the Ales as I'm usually the designated driver.
We've sat at a few different tables, but we particularly liked the one in the smaller room at the end with a view of the hills. When the weather's good it's lovely to sit outside.
I'm not usually the sort of person to stick with one place rather than having a look around to see what else is available, but we've enjoyed going for walks around the area and ending our journeys with a nice meal here.
All in all, it's a nice friendly place and we'd recommend it to anyone who is visiting the area.
|
I'm only mentioning this place as a warning.
There is far, far, better value to be had locally, at either The Running Horses or The Stepping Stones.
For a start, there is nothing on the lunch menu for less than �10. No bowls of chips, bread-and-olives, sandwiches... Nothing.
A burger and chips is my benchmark dish trying anywhere new, since I think that if they can get that right, everything else ought to follow.
Oooh nooo... For �10.50 I'd expect more than a teeny-weeny burger (heavily 'padded' with breadcrumbs), in a stale, cheapo bun clearly procured from Asda, with scant salad and greasy
chips which tasted like last Sunday's leftover roasties cooked in stale oil.
Looking around the table, there seemed to be much scrimping / use of left-overs too: even 'G. the Gut-Bucket' couldn't finish his �9 baked potato with sausage, bacon and tomato topping, and having tasted it, I'm not surprised.
I'd lived in the area for four years and previously never ventured in: now I see why.
Plus points are that it has a garden - well-screened with trees to soften the noise of the A25 below - also pints of cider are cheap. �3.40 as opposed to �4-odd elsewhere, although it may be that the barmaid got her numbers wrong.
If in the area - I'd go elsewhere.
|
Bradley Wiggins was seen here downing many pints of Fosters recently.
|
Overall, mediocre. Food average, beer the same. The pub used to be the social club for the Beaverbrook estate, nearby. It has changed hands so often that us locals just go up to see what the new people have managed....in what is a hard place to even find. After finding it, there's often a 'yes' to greet you!
|
This is an excellent pub. Beer on offer on our visit was Surrey Hills Shere Drop, Hogs Back TEA and fff Alton's Pride. Can't speak for the others but the Shere Drop was in good form. Although the pub is quite small it has as much space again outside in the garden with some cover. The food is perhaps a little on the pricey side at �10-�12 typically but is of good quality and quantity. The desserts are �5.25 but that's hardly unusual, most pubs get higher margin on the afters. Some of the reviewers seem to have been wanting a gastropub with pretentiousness to match, well they are in the wrong place, this is a good honest pub. The service was excellent too.
As far as parking is concerned, park at the bottom of the road just by the A24 (only a very short walk of 50-100 yards), rather than attempting to park by the pub itself, as if Byttom Hill is busy then turning round in this roughly surfaced road will be a "challenge".
A shame the crab seems to have taken centre stage as the principal moan on one of the reviews (and also on another pub review site, I notice), a pity that was allowed to overshadow that reviewer's visit but you can perhaps draw your own conclusions from the username poorpub2012, and ignore accordingly.
|
I hope the landlord has taken note and at this moment is trawling the River Mole for stray Cornish Crab desperate to get between �Poorpubs� discerning molars which obviously cannot function properly unless the produce is born bred and poached in Surrey!
Fresh dressed Cornish Crab Salad on the terrific sunny terrace at the King William is a regular treat I always look forward to when summer arrives in the Surrey Hills.
We added another treat to our fixtures list last year too when later on in the summer we enjoyed two fabulous enormous fillet steaks with all the trimmings (for us) at an unbeatable (and unbelievable) price (we had to check the bill several times because we felt it was far too low) and hearty flavoursome home made burgers for our nephews all accompanied by live Jazz on the Terrace during a spectacular sunset and washed down with a wonderful Fleurie recommended by the Landlord. (Who we have discovered enjoys choosing great wine for his customers when he gets the chance and if you manage to nab him he sometimes has a special selection reserved in the cellar). Don't tell everyone!
We made a bee-line for the Mickleham Downs today to sit in the dazzling sunshine with perfect dressed Crab and Sancerre chilled to perfection for lunch, and I can tell you it was bliss!
We rushed onto this site to gush our appreciation so as to encourage people to use the opportunity to climb (it's a low incline so you can keep your high heels on if you wish) up into the Surrey Hills and enjoy the wonderful views from this little gem of a pub, especially at this at this time of the year. (We think the stunning scenery is at its best in May when all the new foliage is in first bloom). When the weather is like this it is a difficult sun-spot to beat for dining al fresco anyway, apart from the panoramic views.
Enjoy a well-deserved treat, especially after we all nearly drowned during the drought!!
ATB Henry x
|
V poor service/ indifferent landlord/poor food.
we visited this pub today with our children. I had crab and was very disappointed. It was full of bits (crap shell, cartilage). I mentioned this to the young man and asked him to tell the landlord. There was no response, so i asked the young man what was said. The landlord said 'they come from an outside supplier' ie, not my fault. So much for home cooked food! I was annoyed by their attiude of complete indifference. The desserts were �5 each and were very disappointing. Probably worth about �2. All in all, very poor food and extremely poor service.
|
I love this pub. At this time of the year it really starts coming into its own. The fires and the cosy atmosphere in the winter are great too but sitting on the sun trap terrace in Spring with a pint and a pie looking out at super views of the hills and the Mole Valley is an experience to savour as the pub is perched up on a hill overlooking wonderful scenery. I agree with the previous post the fresh dressed crab salad (which they seem to run every summer by demand) goes down very well on a warm sunny day and their steaks are large and juicy with fresh veg and potatoes and sauce included in the price unlike everywhere else where they rip you off for extras.
|
The King William IV was recommended to us by our new neighbours, so we thought we'd give it a try last Sunday.
It was a lovely sunny day and we sat out in the garden. The views were absolutely incredible and the atmosphere was nice and friendly.
I had a fillet steak and my wife had the crab, and both were excellent. We tried a little of each others and were equally impressed with each others meals. Excellent food.
It was quite busy but the bar staff were friendly and helpful.
All in all, we had a lovely time and we're definitely going to visit again very soon. Highly recommended.
|
I would review this pub, but as they had decided to close for the day when I turned up on Sunday, I can't. No wonder so many pubs are closing when they can't even be bothered to open the doors.
|
Well, what can I say. Such a disappointment. Went to the King William IV after reading the reviews last Saturday evening. Pre-reserved a table for 4. Arrived and had a Pint of local surrey ale, which was very nice and well kept. So far so good. We sat at our table only for my wife to put her hand on a very large sticky patch of spilt drink or something and asked the bar girl if she had something to wipe the table with.....expecting her to come round and do the honours. Oh no! We were passed a grey wet cloth for us to do it ourselves. Same thing happened again when one of our other party also found more sticky patches..... After deliberating over the many choices (too many and complicated in my view) we opted for just some bread and olives to start and 2 x scallops and prawns for the girls and 2 x liver and bacon for the guys. The bread came out and was stale! I mean really stale. Olives were not nice at all and swimming in olive oil. We complained about the bread and we got a replacement which was OK. Scallops were good by all accounts, tho the prawns were those tiny frozen ones but not too bad all the same. Liver and bacon very average and not served with mash but with layered potatoes...main problem though was that they'd forgotten one of the liver and bacons so 3 of us were sitting there with our main courses getting cold waiting for the "forgotten" L&B to turn up. No admission that they'd forgotten, just it will be with you soon. It did turn up after about 10 mins but was under done as clearly was rushed. I could go on, but suffice to say I will never ever go to or recommend this pub for food. The girls behind the bar were clearly not trained in customer service AT ALL and the chef...well, he can't be a chef in the true sense of the word. This poor service could have been explained if maybe the pub was rammed, but it wasn't. There were only about 20 people in there (either old or young) and only about 12 or 14 eating. Go there at your peril, its back to the Red Lion in Betchworth for me!
|
Really nice little place, can't believe I've never been here before. Not a great deal of room inside but a big garden at the back with great views for the summer. Shere drop, TEA & one other on pump, the TEA was excellent. Quite a limited menu with a couple of fairly expensive meals on offer but we stuck to the jumbo sausages / burgers / ploughmans end of the menu which were all good.
|
came here for sunday lunch a few weeks back. we decided to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. the view of the hills was absolutely lovely.
the atmosphere was good (perhaps partly down to the excellent weather) and the food and beer was great. will be visiting again soon.
garyt - 11 Oct 2011 19:30 |
Yeah, that's much too early isn't it Trev? Mind you, I wouldn't have minded that the other day... just being open would have been a start!
|
sfocata - The lunchtime food actually ends at 2pm Tuesday to Saturday! I wish it was a tad later as I always go there after a 10 mile walk, so I have to keep going to be there in time. But I guess it shows just how good the beer and food is, that I continue to make the effort.
|
This is a real gem in a lovely location. Well, it's a lovely location once you get away from the A24... for best results, approach from the steep hills on the east side (you'll see snakes in the summer).
Food isn't cheap, but not bad for the area, and they do a lot to support local breweries... I've had Surrey Hills, FFF, Dark Star and several other cracking local beers here. You don't have to just drink Youngs or Fullers when you're in Surrey (the other Mickleham pub, please take note).
HOWEVER (and this is a big "however" that takes my rating from an 8/9 to a 6)...
When a pub is closed at 3.30pm on a Saturday afternoon in this day and age, you can't really complain when people decide not to bother popping in again. On the past four occasions I've been to the William IV (stopping off after walks in the Surrey Hills) they've been closed twice. That's mid-afternoon at weekends, often with friends, intending to buy lunch and several pints. Far be it from me to question someone's business model, but y'know... tourist location, summer weather, big garden, thirsty walkers... DURRRR!
|
A pleasant environment at this smallish pub, both inside and on the terrace with the good views. I too have sometimes experienced the unpleasantness of the landlord but the high quality of the (expensive) beer and food keeps us coming back from time to time.
|
SURREY LIFE....
A delightful Smoked Chicken and Bacon Salad with warm crusty French bread and a mouth-watering Chicken Kiev Supreme with lovely fresh crispy green salad and a buttery mini baked potato plus a pot of creamy mayonnaise (absolutely top quality home-cooked food and generous portions) for �10.00 with FREE desserts included this is true value for money!! I had a wonderful plum and nectarine crumble with fresh cream and my partner had the white chocolate and blueberry homemade ice cream! Having a lovely meal sitting in the sunshine on the terrace of the delightful 18th century pub which is perched on the edge of the Surrey Hills with views to die for goes down as one of our most enjoyable dining experiences.
I was just going to post a quick comment on here as I don�t normally spend time posting on the internet but we did have a quick peek at the comments on this site before we visited The King William and were keen to come back on here to add our own endorsement for the benefit of other�s who may be visiting the Box Hill area. I came back on here to do that this morning and saw a rather irksome new comment that has appeared in the meantime so I�ve taken the extra time to put in my two penneth� worth and summarise our feelings so that other people are not too put off from experiencing the delights of this pub, hidden away as it is, in an exclusive and very lovely part of the Surrey Hills.
Some patrons however seem to suggest that rather than enjoying the views we should maybe er.. inspect the paving stones!! It looks like some people who fraternise this pub spend far too much time with their heads drooped and staring at the floor. A solution for these types maybe would be for the owner to rip all the character out of the pub and ram in a load of decking and other mass produced garden features and reduce yet another delightful and characterful pub garden into a replica of a B&Q display stand.
For heaven�s sake find your backbone and straighten up. Then so long as the assertiveness of the landlord doesn�t stretch to his picking you up by the scrap of your neck and chucking you out you can GET OVER IT. It�s a Free House and along with lots of character pubs, character landlords to chuckle about over a beer, are rapidly becoming extinct and we don�t really want that do we? He�s obviously an individual and as characterful as his garden features! A bit craggy in parts? Good luck to him! Goodness me, bring back the dying breed of independent operators who haven�t been brainwashed into conforming to the behaviour of a growing number of bar and waiting staff who are programmed to behave with a false over-familiar attitude whilst trying to perform an uncomfortable unconvincing impression of bonhomie.
If you�re in the mood to be hovered over and schmoozed for your cash by customer service-speak clones, or slippery ego-masseurs there are plenty of other establishments tripping over themselves to offer all that in this rather precious neck of the woods. One is a pub we discovered not very far away from The King William where all the staff wear bow ties behind the bar! It looks very much as if you may well get served a cheese sarnie on a silver platter in there if you�re feeling a bit needy or your ego requires pumping up. Well horses for courses I suppose and I am in danger of and becoming bitchy pot calling a bitchy kettle black so I will show restraint and not go any further into petty detail about our experiences there!
.
|
GRUMPY LANDLORD - the beautiful view from the garden is about the only good thing about this pub.
Went with a friend for lunch but no sandwiches are on the menu if you want something light and inexpensive. Jacket potatoes are �8!!!! my friend had a crab salad which in fairness she said was very nice but �14!!! Searching for something I fancied i went for the Ploughmans - again �8 was ok nothing special.
Landlord was very unfriendly and grumpy. He even told a group of seven to "hurry up" when they were deciding on what drinks they wanted (they wont be returning either).
The gardens need weeding inbetween the broken the paving slabs.
Closes promptly at 3pm
|
We love visiting Box Hill and the surrounding area and have been doing so for years it is one of our favourite spots so close to London and yet smack bang in the middle of Surrey Hills. Wonderful views on foot and by car. Great sledding in the winter too! The King William IV pub is a little hidden secret just off the Mickleham bends perched a little way up from the A24 behind Frascati Italian Restaurant. When you just want somewhere cosy to have a pint and some wonderful pub grub after a walk or a drive this is the perfect place. It is well-known in the immediate area but I feel the locals like to keep it a secret! In the summertime it is fabulous to eat outside on the terraces which are a sun trap and the views are truly fabulous.
We took some friends last Saturday for an evening meal. Food drink and hospitality as splendid as ever as was the fixed price 3 course gourmet meal with fresh scallops and crayfish in lobster sauce to start and fillet steak for the main, and a fabulous Eton Mess to round it off.... ALL FOR �20! Excellent!! My wife stuck to her usual favourite steak and kidney pie which I am told was better than ever!
|
'YOU'VE BEEN TOLD ONCE ALREADY!' was the forceful and rude reply to the request to replace my pint (TEA) which was clearly off. We'd already been sent back once when we mentioned the beer was cloudy and smelt off, on tasting the stuff it was undrinkable. To make matters worse we had already ordered and paid for our meals (very expensive for a pub) hence could not walk out. Really, save yourself the trouble of dragging yourself to this place, the landlord is not the right sort of person to run a pub, Faulty Towers more like! At least Basil was funny, this guy is just plain rude. Go round the corner to the Running Horses, much nicer!
|
Went with a couple of friends a few weeks ago for an evening meal and a few drinks. What a great place! Friendly and very helpful staff, super food and good beer. Not the cheapest but you don't always get what you pay for around here (try the Black Swan in Ockham for a graphic representation for this) but here you do. Will be back again and again. Finally, In the warmer weather - what a view from the garden across the Mole Valley!
|
My wife and I visited the King Billy during last winter after having recently moved back into the area and reacquainting ourselves with some old haunts. We were pleasantly surprised to see the old charm of this pub had not diminished and if anything had been greatly enhanced by the new owners especially with another fireplace opened up at the front of the restaurant so the views over the Mole Valley can be enjoyed whilst enjoying the great food and wine next to a lovely blazing real log fire.
During summer an article in Surrey Life Magazine voted the pub as one of the top summer pubs in Surrey and it prompted us to pop up and enjoy the delights of dining on excellent food and wine on their terraces in the sunshine. The standard of everything was superb throughout the summer and we can vouch for that because we went back for more regularly!
I can only despair at the blatant spiteful jealous nonsense on here yet again.
By the way they do not close randomly. They are closed every Sunday and Monday evening which is shown quite clearly on their sign!
|
This used to be a great little pub. It changed hands a few years ago and has gone downhill ever since. Still trading off its previous reputation, but a shadow of its former self...shame.
Unwelcoming atmosphere, closed at random during the week and generally a poor service.
You can't win'em all!
|
Mmm, as a long time attendee of this pub, seen 3 iterations of landlord, my observations are; Food is good though at restaurant prices � this is a pub after all and not Frascarti down the road! Beer can be good though when off they�ll just keep on serving it and the selection is increasingly small and non-changing. Not cheap either and for guest ales they seem to have checked out. A welcoming smile (landlord / lady / staff)? Err no; regulars seem to be in the way. As for the garden, anyone know of a good gardener as it could do with a good going over, just don�t trip up on the worn out paving.
Times are tough so go somewhere where you feel comfortable and welcome � and the beer is drinkable � and the food is good and not a fortune � oh and the kitchen is open for the customer and not for the staff convenience. I know we are only customers but where would we be without them?!
Do try harder!
|
Certainly open and very busy, and I can see why! So much more than your run of the mill pub grub on offer here. Hadn�t realised they were in the Michelin Guide.
Visited on Wednesday lunchtime. Logs were crackling on blazing fires and warmed us up nicely as we enjoyed our food with fabulous views of the Mole Valley from the front windows. The fire at the front wasn�t opened up last time we visited so it was a welcome surprise and a lovely addition at this time of the year.
My wife had steak and kidney pie with mash and fresh veg and I went for pheasant on Dauphinoise potatoes. Our meals were perfectly cooked and went down very well with a glass of excellent Rioja (Campo Viejo) and a pint of well kept Alton�s Pride. We were also offered free desserts as part of their midweek promotion. We highly recommend this pub.
|
CLOSED. The board says closed "for today" but appears to have been there a while. Underneath and partly rubbed-out are the words "for general maintenance" but I glanced in the windows, everything's in darkness, no sign of any maintenance taking place.
|
Visited during a country walk on the Bank Holiday after Christmas, so naturally the place was very busy. We found the landlord quite welcoming - and the number of muddy boots outside the door testifies to the fact that walkers are indeed welcome here.
The prizewinning Alton's Pride from the Triple F brewery was delicious and obviously well-kept; and the log fire was a definite bonus on a frosty day.
Sadly it was the food that failed to impress. As a previous reviewer has noted, they do seem to try to do too much in a very small kitchen. This resulted firstly in a very long wait of nearly an hour - just about excusable on a busy bank holiday, but a real irritation for some of our party. Then the food itself was very patchy. Nothing bad, but not all good. Risotto was good, and vegetables were cooked just right. There was some excellent and tasty stuffing with my pheasant. But the pheasant itself was dry, and a friend's roast beef was not pink as promised. Most of the main dishes came with the same combination of vegetables, runny gravy (even with vegetarian Wellington) and rather tired Yorkshire pudding - possibly added to make the meal look like a huge plateful (which it was) but surely most pub customers are no longer impressed by quantity alone.
We didn't have time or room for pudding because of the delay and the large helpings, so can't comment on them.
I feel that if they limited the food offering to the basics of jacket potatoes and ploughman's, together with just two or three well-presented and more ambitious dishes each day for the chef to show what he can do, the result would probably be a great improvement. But I don't see it happening as it is clear that many customers are quite happy with the present set-up. So won't be going back soon.
|
We read about this pub in a guide and I have to agree that this pub serves one of the best pub sunday lunches I've had in a while. Yes - the prices are a bit more than your average pub meal but only by �2-3 and the difference in terms of quality more than makes up for it. I'm drooling now thinking about the slow-roasted shoulder of lamb I had last time. Indeed, every part of the meal was superb and we always bring guests here if we want them to enjoy a delicious pub meal in fantastic surroundings. The beer is also great - with some fantastic local beers like Shere Drop helping even further set it aside from the also-rans.
Whatever you do, do not try to go up the hill in an estate car. Trying to back down again was one of the hairiest moments in my life. Parking at the base of the hill is easy though.
|
What to say of 'The Wal', as it was called by people in the 70's. Yes it is in a beautiful location with lovely views over towards Norbury Park, the garden is lovely, and it's got charm, and in winter a log fire. I started going there in the late 80's but friends had been going since the mid 70's. As long as i've been going the food has ben at least good, sometimes excellent. The old landlady did seem to get progressively more grimpy towards the end of her reign, but the landlord (chef as well?) was excellent and the beers were kept really well. The new team started a few years ago. The landlord seems a little stressy and unwelcoming, but the food is still good but expensive. It's Surrey - they charge what they can - and there's a lot of money around. The beers are well kept and there's usually a very good selection, all well kept. This pub used to welcome walkers/ ramblers, but my impression is that they're trying to put them off a little now. One of the nice quirks used to be the serving hatch to the garden, but when i asked about this the landlord merely glowered and said 'we haven't opened that for at least two years'. A shame, as it actually makes it easier to welcome walkers, rather than make them remove all their footwear to enter the pub. The main source of the stress must surely be that they are trying to create decent meals in a TINY kitchen (and to be fair succeeeding) presumably because there would be neither room nor planning permission for a larger kitchen.
|
My wife daughter and I had lunch at the King William on Sunday and were very pleased with this delightful little pub.
We booked an early table for 12:30 and parking wasn't a problem. The slightly reduced Sunday menu still provided enough choice to make deciding difficult but I opted for the dressed crab and my wife had the roast beef and all the trimmings. There is no child's menu but the staff were very accommodating for my 18 month old daughter and prepared a childs size ham ploughmans.
The food service was a little slow, but this was forgivable given the very small kitchen space and that we weren't really in a rush. The quality of the food was very good; a reasonably sized crab served with sufficient slices of brown bread and a tasty seafood sauce and a generous helping of roast beef with two delicious Yorkshire puddings. A few more vegetables and potatoes would have filled out the plate a little but the portion wasn't miserly.
The choice of ales was good with Sharp's Doom Bar and Alton's Pride but unfortunately the Hog's Back TEA was off.
The bill came to just under �40 which is more than you would pay for regular pub grub but the high quality of the food and charming location offset the increased cost.
We will definitely visit again and would recommend a visit to the King William IV in Mickleham.
|
Glad I booked as lunchtime was full. An unusual building tall and narrow and the steep steps surprisingly taxing on after my nearby hike. Food is a step up from usual pubs and the price is also a step up but worth it. Huge portions. Shere drop and Alton very nice (two others on tap can't remember which). My treacle tart was the only disappointment. Us three enjoyed our Thai Chicken, Vegetarian Wellington and something else (roast I think ). Def will go back.
|
Have been going to the KWIV for years on and off, maybe once a twice a year, have always been a fan. Have been concerned by recent reviews of the place with new management etc...
BUT
I went back tonight and it was bloody brilliant! Had 4 fantastic local beers (TEA, Shere Drop, FFF and the new Dorking No.1), and the 8oz Venison Steak (rare) with dauphinoise tats and veg. The venison was exquisite, and the potatoes and gravy were also perfectly done. My friend had the King Scallops for main course which were also fantastic on a bed of crayfish in Italian tomato sauce with rice.
The barman who I assume to be the owner was dishing out free tasters left right and centre and he seems passionate about the beer which is very impressive.
I cant wait to go back!
|
Don't know why bad comments are given to this pub especially when they are rude. Last landlady was only giving as good as she got, I had been there many times and commented that I never understood the general public when they are so demanding. New owners have yet to put in the years to prove themselves, Chris and Jenny did a great job for 15 years or so, hope they are enjoying a well deserved rest? Tried beers and food not too bad, but not up to old owners standard, the menu is not that new as mentioned, most desserts are chris's recipe, although I still enjoyed those.
|
A fantastic gem of a pub in a quirky location. On ur first visit there one lunchtime we got talking to the licensee (Ian) and within half an hour we felt like we had known him for years. We liked it so much that we went back for dinner and that was superb, albeit pricey for a pub. We have been many times since and love the place - it is a "proper" pub but, instead of doing pub food, they do restaurant food of a high standard. Where the negative comments come from about microwaves etc goodness only knows - they have a proper chef and are very proud of their food.
Of course parking is a problem, but that isn't their fault. And, although the Running Footman is excellent, being both a proper pub and a proper restaurant, that is really expensive.
The King Willy is one of the best pubs I know in Surrey - up there with the Well House Inn in Chipstead.
|
Well, what can kaktus add after reading through the comments? Unusual approach - those with dicky hearts please turn away. Real fire! Prices are quite high for a pub. Service slow. But very welcoming. Friendly clientele.
|
Have popped in for a couple of pints on two or three occasions. Decided to take the missus on Saturday and try their meals........." Pub grub " it ain't, if you fancy trying a real gourmet meal, look no further than here. The prices are a little steep for a pub........but worth every penny.
Despite the negative comments here, we found the staff really friendly and polite and very welcoming.
Verdict:- Superb meal, washed down with a superb nectar that is Stoford press cider.
razor - 20 Oct 2008 14:24 |
The Running Horses' parking is nearly as bad as this pub's - and the only local resident who could visit both in 5 mins. is Seb Coe on a good day !
I don't know why WIV gets extreme reviews, good and bad. Its always been mediocre in my opinion, save for the fine location. Much better pubs locally e.g. The Running Horses.
|
A pub not to be missed. Can`t fault it. Parking is all part of the fun. Why not park outside The Running Horses and walk there (only 5minutes!). Walking party already booked in for October. Lots of local beers on offer. Food hot, tasty and arrived in good time. Try it!
|
I am staggered at some of the negative comments about this pub.
I hadn't been there for about three years and what a refreshing change. New landlords - good food, friendly service and decent beer. Looked as if the place had been spruced up too. The menu was much better than I remember and I thought the prices reasonable.
The only real issue as ever is the parking. I went mid week and it was pretty busy, so Sunday lunchtime may be one to avoid.
A bit of a gem in my view.
|
What a lovely location. Been here many times but very disappointed on last visit. The garden is a tip, please tidy it up and sweep the rubbish away and plant some new plants in all the empty pots. Could be such pretty and romantic little place. Beer was off as well.
|
Aww - previous posts GONE !! Why - can't handle the truth ?
|
See my June post - and before; nothing much has changed; still underperforming badly. Pity - but lots of better places nearby.
|
Wonderful little pub. High quality home cooked food, a little expensive but still value for money. (Be warned they stop at 2, and there's no food Monday nights.) Three good ales (Adnam, TEA and Shere Drop) plus a guest - which is currently Doom Bar. Friendly staff too. I highly commend this place.
|
Another new poster (Naz) is 'in the ok sector' - but immediately gives advice on 'ethos' of this site ! Having lunch at the Willy today; will factually update soon. No rating left.
|
Had an ok evening here. Could have been better.
Discouraging first time posters is against the ethos of this website leftfield. I had a look to see if you were right about the provenance of the posts, it seems that virtually every negative comment has been posted by new users. I won't be paying any attention to your comments from here on.
|
The last two posts - and that of Hoppity - were the first and only of newly joined posters to this board. Unusual , as most posts are made by random pub visitors - who comment on the good and the bad of various outlets; these three were very positive and one suspects contrivance, bearing in mind the ongoing/recent thread.
|
Visited this pub many times under the old management. Food was always good, beer ditto, but behind the bar was a landlady (?) who had an a-level (no degree) in rudeness. The last time I saw her(before the new owners took over) she caused a nice couple to leave without finishing their drinks, let alone ordering supper, which had been their original intention.
I have been to the King Willy four times since the new landlord moved in, and have had excellent meals, polite and friendly service, and I just don't recognise or understand the negative postings on this website.
Go there, try it, and if it's as bad as the posters say, then leave a review here.
|
I had a really good evening, the view was fantastic and the staff were pleasant. The food was good and I will definitely be visiting again soon.
|
Is Hoppity the landlord/landlady ? Location is good - that's all ! Service and food were very accurately described in previous posts. For Hoppity to mention 'freshly cooked food' and 'well kept beer' in the context of the current Willy is like saying the Mole is like the Thames !
|
Well, we have visited this pub on personal recommendation, I have to say, with some trepidation after having read some of these 'comments'. They could not be further from the truth. Visit and enjoy the undoubtedly freshly cooked food and the well kept beer and indeed the wonderful views of the Mole Valley from this picturesque hillside location.
|
Avoid this hole like the plague. The landlord is a foul mouthed swine of a man. The landlady is just as bad. Microwaved food. Poorly kept beer. Ugh!
|
Basil Fawlty is alive and well and running this pub! So bad it's actually funny.
|
Known this pub for years, don't know what's happened recently but hard to imagine worse service, it used to be fine, but now it's terrible. Avoid until new staff!
|
I've known this pub for about 10 years, but haven't been in for a couple until this week:what a disapointment-grumpy staff behind the bar, and by all accounts the chef has run away,taking the stove with him:shades of the microwave. It was , and could be a gem, in a picturesque village in good walking territory.
|
Don't waste your time or money. I have never been treaed so badly in all my years of eating out. We had to endure sarcastic remarks by the landlady (Liz) and be accused of wanting a meal for nothing. We ordered at 7.30 and politely prompted them at 8.50 by which time the main course had not arrived. They clearly had forgotten. No hint of an apology and the sarcasism started after we suggested that if they had bothered to clear the starters they might have been reminded about the dinner. When the meal did arrive, the Venison was inedible and the liver hot in parts but cold in others. By this time we did not dare to complain any further because of the agressive nature of the publicans. We paid and left, never to return. Pity because this was once a favorite eating spot.
|
Beer very good and location excellent. Food was nice if expensive, but it's probably what you'd expect to pay for in this area. Best to pick a day when it won't rain as there's not a lot of room inside.
|
Thank you, thank you so much that awful woman has finally gone, shame the landlord Chris has gone though as he can keep a really good cellar and cook a very decent dish. The new owners have made fantastic changes to the interior and improvements beyond words � the general atmosphere is now very friendly as opposed to the 'East Enders' feel of the past. Beer still good and food excellent.
|
Excellent pub hidden away behind Frascati restaurant (too expensive in there)!!! Steep hill, no parking and get there well before midday for a seat. Food excellent and just what you need after a morning hiking over the hills as the main trade seems to be.
|
Grim.
|
I used to regularly go to this pub for drinks especially with friends for special occasions as you could always guarantee very good meal and service. What can I say now � since Chris and Jenny (old landlords) have left it has totally gone down hill. I have only eaten once since and I have to say it will be my last visit, the food was bought to our table at different intervals and once the food arrived at our table it was cold, and presentation poor.
The service was also poor, several times I requested new cutlery and which was not brought until prompted for the 4th time. When it was time to pay the bill it was added up incorrectly and took the guy behind the bar a further two times to give me the correct bill.
It is a real shame that this once lovely pub, has since been turned into a Devonshire tea room. The decor says it all this pub has now fallen behind the times. I would strongly recommend that you give this one a miss and head to the running horses down the road.
|
At 8.30pm on Friday we got the last parking space outside Frascati - which saved a walk back from Mickleham. It's worth taking a good torch in case you have to do the walk.
Cornish Doom Bar bitter has been introduced and was very good.
|
Superb family sunday lunch in very cosy surroundings
|
It is good but probably best to steer clear Sunday lunchtimes, all tables reserved for the roast dinner brigade. Beer nice, everything nice though 12 quid for a roast dinner is indeed pretty steep. As is the lane up here. Parking impossible, if there's no space by the Italian restaurant at the bottom your best bet is to go further on by the Running Horses and walk back. Well worth a special trip.
|
Agreed the beer & food was good. I called the pub the night before a 1st trip up Box Hill as read good things on their site. Was told that, though not a family pub, the forecast was good and kids would be OK outside. Asked about a kids menu and was told they could do kids sized portions and had plenty of choice. On balance the bloke was saying we should check it out.
On the day, having asked if they did small portions for the kids and regaled them with what I'd been told on the phone, the landlady(?) suggested perhaps I'd phoned a different King William IV, while the barman who I swear was the one I'd spoken to (it's a small family-run pub after all) kept quiet.
I'd probably pick their food & beer over anywhere else in the vacinity if was without the kids, but can't get over my disappointment at the landlady's behaviour.
|
This is a classic pub in a beautiful location on the edge of the N Downs. Aside from the charming garden and barmaid, the interior is cosy and makes for a pleasanty retreat when the weather does not allow the garden to be used.
It serves up to 4 very well-kept ales, sometimed including a seasonal from Hog's Back or somewhere similar. Food here has won local awards and justifiably so: it is excellent. Don't come if you want straight sausage and chips, but for the higher-end of the pub food market this is a winner.
The only downside: parking! But I suppose nowhere's perfect.
|
Nice pub to go for a drink and sit in the garden terrace and admire the view. A very attractive barmaid improved the view inside the pub too.
Normally have Adnams, Badger plus couple of others.
Have dined there a couple of times and while food has been fine I would agree that there may be better meals elsewhere at the price.
|
Potentially excellent pub spoiled by bossy atmosphere and in particular proliferation of notices warning against pretty much everything (including, perhaps, having a good time). Beer is good. Yes, the food is expensive, but yes, this is Surrey, and a posh bit of it too. If punters didn't pay the prices they'd have to cut them.
|
Have only called in lunchtimes when walking but always seems busy although the food is overpriced. Beer has always been well kept with Adnams and Hogs Back on last time I visited (although I'm not keen on the later's beers). Shall have to get there in the evening so can concentrate on the ale not the food
|
Really liked this pub and would not have known it was here only for this website. Food was v well cooked beer graden was lovely and as others have said, nice views of the surrounding area. The only thing that marred my experience was the fact that you can hear the traffic from the A24, below.
|
A traditional country pub with a large garden. Fantastic views, only slightly spoilt when the sun-umbrellas are up.
Slightly off the beaten track, it's an uphill walk to get there, and then even more steps to get to the Gents!
However, a good example of what a country pub should be like. I imagine it gets quite busy on hot Bank Holiday afternoons.
|
Lovely spot, bar food is good and the beer is excellent. Have always found the staff pleasant. Restaurant dishes are pricey for what they are, but OK. Menu seems to have been the same for about 10 years.
Dick Clark - 21 Jul 2004 13:15 |
Lovely location and view. In general staff were surly and not very friendly. Food was OK but nothing exceptional and seemed pricey for what it was. Server did not seem pleased to get slightly critical feedback from another customer when asked if everything was OK. Peace of sitting in the garden was spoilt by the close proximity of the kitchen and the constant shouting out of food order numbers. If I was walking on a hot day I might pop in for a drink and sit outside but other than that would not return.
Andy - 11 Jun 2004 10:02 |
Well-kept variety of 3 or 4 ales; food is exquisite. Usually pleasant barmaids.Its real strength is its position, perched on the side of Box Hill with a perfect view of the Downs. Well worth a go but parking is troublesome.
Tom - 29 Mar 2004 16:09 |
Very good pub and excellent food. Shame about the rude proprietor.
Richard Lacey - 6 Mar 2004 09:50 |
A very nice pub, very old style, great food, decent pint. Just under Box Hill so if you are prepared to travel up the hill you are guaranteed a terrific view.
Mike - 21 Oct 2003 15:32 |
Good food, Beer (Badger and Adnams) - excellent views across N. Surrey Downs from Garden. Dogs allowed in Garden.
Al. - 28 Aug 2003 15:06 |
