please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Reopened after refurbishment.
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Closing this coming weekend - for another major refurbishment!
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The D Of W has been refurbished and is now part of the group that own the Black Swan, Ockham - so gone is the rather tatty interior and run down beefeater feel of the place - in comes American style dining, but on old brown wood furniture and very interior designer interior design. Ribs, Burgers, Pulled Pork, Steak and some nice fish dishes, Mac and Cheese etc sides are the order of the day. Beer range is OK, usual suspects of the brown stuff and eye watering prices (£5.25 for a premium lager). Staff were very good and helpful, garden has been greatly improved, but refugees from the hotel over the road looking to get a cheaper meal and drink are in for a nasty shock. Its an improvement if you like this sort of thing and you can afford it.
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Attractive stone clad former coaching Inn from the outside, tired dated pub from the inside
We utilised it for a late Saturday evening couple of pints whilst staying in one of the two large hotels within walking distance. At this time it more resembled a social club for the local East Horsley youth with several young barstaff and their mates collected around the bar jovially singing along to the loud music playing from the public bar side of the pub. However the service was swift and courteous and there were no complaints in that department. And although I am sure this place moves mostly draft lagers there were three ale taps on the bar with two functioning and I have to say the available Deuchars IPA and Caledonian Golden IPA were very drinkable.
OK enough for a beer, but not a place I would choose to return to. And when considering the expensive bit of Surrey it resides in and its position next door to two large business hotels, in one way I think its admirable that it remains as an entertainment spot for the local youth who can’t afford to travel into the bright lights of Guildford, but you can’t help thinking someone is missing a trick here and it is quite surprising and one wonders why this one has not been gastrofied.
However, on leaving by the side entrance to the garden I came across the information board which probably answered the question why, as this board detailed the history of the pub, which is much more interesting than the pub itself, and the fact that most of it is a Grade II listed structure and therefore difficult to change.
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what a shock .. need a mortgage to buy a drink .. the price of a wine was shocking then to be told its because you are in horsley is a liberty ... so they charge more cos you drink in horsley.. bloody rip off and bad service
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Indifferent beer, indifferent service, top prices. No reason to return - and I wont.
Called in here about 14:00hrs. There was one customer being served, not a large order, but it took nearly ten minutes to be served. The staff was a new barmaid who seemed not to have been given any intruction. The manager studiously ignore us as he made two phone calls and then left.
The Directors was very poor. I really should have sent it back. It was drinkable but only just.
And all this cost �7.90 for Directors and small (childs) glass of draught lemonade.
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As a local I would love to have a local pub that was cosy, had some good ales on tap & was pleasant to be at. Sadly, I cannot say that about the Duke of Wellington. Its location does mean that it is very easy to get to & it can benefit greatly from when it's good weather; yet it is right on quite a busy road - not so great. The atmosphere inside has never (to me) quite appeared to be welcoming, more slightly, nervously on edge; at weekends this place can appear to be a city-centre O'Neills (not welcome in my book). The ales tend to be of fairly average quality, evne if the staff try their best to be attentive & kind; too often though they are talking to their friends.
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Came here for a Sunday pub lunch with two small children. Went for the carvery, which was very good, and they did a good job helping us with the children (getting high chairs, answering questions about ingredients, etc.). Prices were very reasonable, and most of the tables were reserved which has to be a good sign. Would happily go back again.
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Saw Seb Coe in here; he lives locally. He politely asked the barmaid if he could have a tab.
In a broad Irish accent, the barmaid replied 'I suppose so. But you won't do a runner, will you ? Cos we'd never catch you !'
Tend to agree with reasonedview; this used to be a very mediocre place. I shall check it out and report. No rating.
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What a rave review from Harrythecat! Curious, when I look at his/her's other reviews there aren't any, perhaps it's just chance.
I haven't been in for about a year because the last visit was not very 'exciting' to say the least - indifferent beer and service just for starters, but perhaps evrything has changed. I wont leave a rating because maybe it is vastly improved, I'll go and take a look.
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The Duke of Wellington is unique in looks and character, a place full of local history which is well worth finding out more. We visited the pub between Christmas and the New Year, sat in front of a roaring open fire and enjoyed a light lunch of club sandwiches - the meat included in the sandwich was excellent. The Duke is dog friendly with attentive staff and a happy and relaxed atmosphere. We were visiting friends in the area so came back later for dinner, again sitting close to the open fire. The home cooked meal was excellent with superb meat which we found out is bought locally in the village - always good to hear. We thought the food was very good value for money and will definitely visit again when we are next in the area. We also discovered that there are rooms available and were kindly shown around one which has a lot of old world charm with a modern jaccuzi bath - will stay here next time we are visiting friends. Having looked at previous reviews was rather surprised as we found the place charming and enjoyed our visit, obviously what ever the problems were in the past they are now long gone.
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Looks good from the outside not so in keep on driving either direction you`ll find better.
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What a strange place, you walk in through the door and straight onto the serving bar area � usually crowded by punters. Staff can be a bit mixed, some good some not so but usually fine if not cheap. Pool room / games area can get easily crowded and very smoky � roll on the ban! Building has loads of character but not much is made of it or it's history / background. Nice enough but nothing to write home about � if you were away from home you'd possibly be somewhere nicer!
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Went here with a group of walkers. Kitchen was closed: sandwiches only. Had a toasted club sandwich which was served cold and the food service was generally chaotic. London pride was off, Duchars was OK, didn't test the Directors. Maybe we caught them on a bad day but I was pretty unimpressed.
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it not the same service and the pub is a youngsters pub
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Good "foody" pub on main road .Nice when weather is good ?
Recommended - unusual for me !
anonymous - 7 Jul 2006 22:16 |
A good pub and management at this venue.
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Went here on friday with friends. Alot of kids 16's yrs, a duo were playing, who were very good and had the people moving along at a nice pace. New owners . . seems alright the food . . . can be improved , but good. the beers exxy. will be back.
anonymous - 21 May 2006 16:37 |
They've got new owners and stopped doing live music. Pity!
anonymous - 6 Apr 2006 12:47 |
Went there on Friday 23rd Jan 2006. Great 50's Rock and Roll band called the Razors played. Good choice of numbers (plenty of standards, but some less well known tunes as well) although they could have played a bit longer. Same could not be said of the food. Most of the menu was "off", and that left was iffy. I was told that new management were taking over in 4 days and the stock was being run down. If true, I hope the new management keep the quality of live music and maintain this overall a good pub - improving the food, of course.
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We went here on Friday 1st July, mainly to see the band that was on that night, Disciples, who had come recommended to us. What a great atmosphere. A nice setting, not overcrowded and they're open late. Beer not cheap, but this is East Horsley in Surrey!! The music's also got to be paid for and this band were fantastic, so it was well worth it.
Tim56 - 23 Jul 2005 21:15 |
I was in here on saturday 21st may to see a band called Flip The Bird.....they were pretty good.The service was ok.ish.Was packed with lots of tasty women......nice.
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There are alot of fitties there and no chavs, bonus
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In my opinion, a great pub. Lovely 16th century listed building in an exclusive area - the majority of clientelle are professional people.
Beer is kept well, good value lunches & evening meals, beautiful top quality accommodation, pool table, late weekend licence, entertainment (I have rarely seen a bad band playing and it's always full of young women when a decent rock band are performing !!)
Regular promotions and theme nights.
Hosts are friendly and staff very efficient.
Probably the best 'all-round' pub in the area
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Most live music average but one excellent band in particular is Flip the Bird who play rock and pop classics. They are up the Duke about once every couple of months. Bring your dancing shoes. Fit women everywhere.
Dave Hubble - 14 Nov 2004 17:54 |
A nice pub, but rather bland following refit a couple of years ago, also has inherited a charver (kev's, Chavs, escort XR3i drivers, call them what you will :) infestation following the closure of the Lord Howard in Effingham (Shame, twas a crappy pub but they seemed to like it).
The beer's good, although not that cheap and Anne and Nick (the Landlords) are friendly. Always fun of a summer evening to sit outside and watch the cars passing on the corner and bet to see who's going to have an accident or to watch the police chasing someone speeding.
It was a very nice 'old man' pub great for a relaxing evening, but a recent run of gimmicks such as live (albeit often too loud and crappy) music, theme nights and the recent charver encroachment have spoilt what was once a nice homely atmosphere of a once cherished local.
Although they do have some quite fit aussie and kiwi barmaids! :) And a redeeming grace is the late licence... The beer terrace would be great if they actually fixed their heaters as it gets a bit chilly out there to the end of the evening.
I - 27 May 2004 22:20 |
Has Pool table, outside seating, Live music most weekends, Late license Weekends, great promotions on beers and spirits, friendly atmosphere, and helpful, friendly staff
Bob Stevens - 9 Apr 2004 16:04 |
