BITE user comments - MrLloydEvans
Comments by MrLloydEvans
Kingston & Leatherhead CAMRA, who know a thing or two about pubs and beer, would beg to differ having made The Jolly Coopers their joint Pub of the Year along with Woodies, New Malden.
If it's so terrible, why don't you explain why, instead of expecting people to take your ( not particularly informed by the look of your other reviews) word for it ?
22 Apr 2011 15:00
Huge pub, used to be a bank so marble columns and high ceiling. 20 ales on, order by the numbers like at the takeaway ! Purity Gold & O'Hanlons Stout both excellent.
26 Nov 2009 12:17
Old fashioned cosy one bar pub surrounded by modern developments. Good selection of ales.
24 Nov 2009 12:16
The Prince of Wales, Wimbledon
Agree with GuideDogSaint, the beer quality here is not good. Swapped a lifeless stale Taylor Landlord for a similar London Pride. Two sips & left it
7 Oct 2009 14:03
Two bar local just off the market place with a Courage plus guest ales that change frequently. Basic but welcoming.
12 May 2009 11:05
On the hotel front, clean, comfortable and reasonably priced. Didn't try the bar due to an aversion to Greene King. The buffet breakfast has been done away with - they are now cooked to order and quality is greatly improved.
12 May 2009 11:03
Great find off of the main drag. Comfortable,one bar pub withplenty of conversation going on, full but not crowded in the evening. Ballrds, Goddards, Doom Bar, Stonehenge and the supurb Bowman Swift One.
12 May 2009 10:59
Pressed Rat on top form, Alton Pride sparkling, Dazed and Confused excellent. Guest beers from Hidden. Atmosphere, welcome and service as good as I remember from the last visit.
12 May 2009 10:56
Great location, fantastic on the decking overlooking the lake on a sunny Saturday. Rambling old building with 3 floors. 2 ales on - TT Landlord & Westerham BB - TT in fine fettle.
6 Apr 2009 17:34
The �1.50 a pint while the Grand National was running promotion sounded like it might be fun, as long as they could have got the telly back from the bloke shouting at the rugby. Excellent pint of Harvey's.
6 Apr 2009 17:01
Warwick the landlord went out of his way to make 2 people he'd never seen before extremely welcome. Top notch pint of Bombadier Gold. Worth searching out. Even for Spurs fans.
6 Apr 2009 15:32
Three Horseshoes Inn, Sidlow Bridge
A gem on the Surrey backroads with a welcoming proper pub feel. 8 ales on , the Whippet reSession was light and refreshing. Couple of blokes in a BMW asked the way to the clay pigeon shooting - judging by the state of the back window they should have been after the real ones !
6 Apr 2009 10:49
Fine pint of Badger Hopping Hare looking over the green in some rare early April sunshine. Was intrigued by the local making off with a crate of Manns Brown Ale.
6 Apr 2009 09:41
In these days of electrical refrigeration, the presence or absence of a cellar is immaterial to the temperature of beer at dispense, which is governed by chillers and 'pythons'. Thankfully the ale lines no longer pass through the chillers so ale here is now dispensed at or around 11-13 degrees C which is as it should be. Current selection is Pride, Deuchars IPA GK IPA, Broadside and 2 Six Nations seasonals.
9 Mar 2009 09:57
Now here's a thing. Despite the best efforts of the property developer owners a pub that has re-opened as a pub rather than a block of flats. There's still plenty of work to be done after a 21 month closure - the lead off the roof was the first thing to go - but the tenants have done remarkably well to get up and running in such a short time. Surrey Hills Shere Drop and London Pride are now both on and served in lined glasses.
10 Nov 2008 16:00
Busy, lively pub. Fine selection of German and Belgian lagers plus up to 3 cask ales. 3 Draught ciders available currently. Comprehensive & original food menu.
6 Sep 2008 16:37
About as thriving as the nearby car park. Something needs to be done about these one pub only reviewers
14 Aug 2008 23:11
It appears the management has changed again and the ales are back at extra-cold temperature. The locals can be seen warming theirs up in front of the fire. A shame because the selection is pretty good, including Deuchars IPA and Taylor Landlord.
28 Dec 2007 15:56
Closed and unlamented, this is now a Chinese/Indian/Thai/Italian buffet restaurant.
14 Nov 2007 17:33
The Cyder House Inn, Shackleford
Biker:
"This coupled with eye watering prices "
Caveat Emptor old chap.
5 Oct 2007 17:58
Hidden gem off the Capel - Rusper Road. An ex K&B/Badger pub which is now a freehouse with up to 9 microbrewery ales available. Surrey Hills Ranmore, Dark Star Hophead and Oakleaf Green Gold were all on top form. Lunchtime menu is limited but the doorstep sandwiches with home cooked ham were excellent. Recommended.
25 Sep 2007 15:16
The Bull of Brenchley, Brenchley
Very pleasant base for a stroll through the orchards toward Matfield. Harveys Sussex absolutely sparkling, very helpful landlord, tremendous, fresh reasonably priced food. Set next to 600 year old Church. Rooms available.
10 Sep 2007 14:54
The Abinger Hatch, Abinger Common
Excellent pint of Ringwood Best, great garden - food did look pricey.
10 Sep 2007 14:49
The Kings Head, Holmbury St Mary
Cracking local,on a backstreet heading south past the church. Surrey Hills Shere Drop and Triple FFF Stairway to Heaven were on offer. Was looking forward to lunch, but got caught out by the kitchen closing at 2. Another time.
10 Sep 2007 14:48
Stephan Langton Inn, Abinger Common
Fine pint of Surrey Hills Ranmore Ale in a pleasant setting next to a large pond. Food very popular with what looked like a menu changing daily.
10 Sep 2007 14:43
Excellent pub. All the Triple FFF beers plus guests, welcoming and efficient service even when busy.
21 May 2007 14:09
Butcombe, Sharpes Doom Bar & Adnams Broadside. The pub is divided in two, with a welcoming locals bar at the entrance and a larger restaurant area off to the left. Food is freshly cooked and of very good quality.
21 May 2007 14:06
Overpriced restaurant which is still not worth visiting, even though my previous post to this effect has been removed. Youngs have previous for doing this, see the latest London Drinker.
20 Feb 2007 16:12
There has been a change of management and it shows ! The beer temperature problem has been sorted out and the selection is much improved. Deuchars IPA appears to be the house regular. Cleanliness is in a different league and the staff still friendly but very much on the toes. Given the demise of the nearby Jolly Coopers it's good to see an improvement in this one.
28 Jan 2007 19:31
Confirmed. Pub is closed and boarded up. Another excellent community local bites the dust.
What a shame.
24 Jan 2007 13:09
Used to be a Vaux freehouse with a range of interesting beers. It was always stacked out then. While Smiths bitter is not particularly noteworthy the crowds are still there. The interior is still quite magnificent but will need some attention soon.
8 Dec 2006 10:20
Interesting old building with a slightly out of place conservatory tacked on. Pleasant sloping garden containing the eponymous well. Friendly young staff, welcoming atmosphere, 3 (at least) distinct areas. Fine selection of micro beers (Cottage, Bunce's & Westerham)plus London Pride. Cottage Golden Arrow on top form. Good value, varied menu - believe what they say about the homemade chilli. Worth a trip.
19 Oct 2006 14:21
Now in the Good Beer Guide and Brakspears has made way for Surrey Hills Shere Drop. The Harveys is still exceptionally well kept.
5 Oct 2006 12:05
There appears to have been a complete staff turnover. The wait for service is still too long and the beer is still too cold. Don't lean on the bar - it may not let go.
5 Oct 2006 11:59
The Chequers ticks all the boxes. Flagstone floor, inglenook fireplace, headbangingly low door beams, well kept ales(Harvey's, Pride, Youngs bitter, and Black Sheep)and the most terrific food full of flavour cooked to order from fresh ingredients. The menu changes monthly according to what is in season. Can be tricky to find but well worth the effort. Go early & go hungry.
5 Oct 2006 11:49
Very friendly welcoming local. 2 Courage beers + 1 guest. Should be the other way around, but the pub, garden & charming staff make up for that.
5 Oct 2006 11:32
After the shock of the travesty that is now the Black Swan, what a relief to find that the Plough is still the pub it always was. Very friendly and efficient staff, a top drawer pint of Special and well cooked good value food. The proper potato chips are worth a visit in themselves.
5 Oct 2006 11:29
The Black Swan, Martyr's Green
It's true that the Black Swan is now clean (antiseptic), airy (characterless), has real ales,(4 instead of 14), bar snacks (�9.50 for sausage and mash)and a restaurant (75% of the floor area)but it's also clear that it is now a trendy wine bar going after the Cobham yuppie market.
The old cosy if ramshackle country boozer with a beer selection that made it a destination pub and the best BLT for miles has been vandalised beyond redemption. And the 'lovely garden' is a post nuclear modernist desert with disgusting black reconstituted stone furniture, the back end of which, where the playground used to be currently bears more than a passing resemblance to Passchendaele obviously in preparation for more Chelsea Tractor parking.
Awful.
RIP The Mucky Duck
5 Oct 2006 11:24
Only GBG 2007 pub in Ewell. Guest Beer changes regularly (Landlord on this visit, very well kept) Staff very friendly.
20 Sep 2006 17:15
Very pleasant location, extensive and fairly priced menu,
but �3 for a pint of Pride ??
20 Sep 2006 11:34
The Winterton Arms, Chiddingfold
Quiet roadside pub. 3 bitters, all cooking - Youngs Ordinary, GK IPA and Banks's.
20 Sep 2006 11:31
Fine old building that manages to balance the hotel/restaurant/pub equation very well. Very reasonable drinks prices, lovely surroundings. Recommended.
20 Sep 2006 11:22
Very smart restaurant, not much pub. Pleasant Garden. London Pride and Hogs Back TEA available at usual eye watering Surrey prices.
20 Sep 2006 11:16
This one is a gem. An old Cotswold stone building covered in ivy about a mile from M4 J18 toward Stroud. The bar area is two level and open with 8 or 9 four seater tables. The door to the right of the bar leads to a large oak panelled dining room which wouldn't look out of place in a country house hotel. Food is very good - freshly cooked, generously portioned and good value - and the kitchen is kept busy. The landlord is a real character and very welcoming. The range and condition of the beers is superb. Three or four guests from local micros and Sharps of Cornwall and the excellent Uley Pigs Ear which is a permanent guest. There reasonably priced accommodation available. Well worth searching out. 9/10.
1 Jun 2006 14:55
A traditional community local in a quiet residential area with a rural feel. Three distinct drinking areas served off one long bar, lounge to the left popular with dog walkers, cyclists and the sunday lunchtime crowd, a small snug by the door and a public with pool,darts and Sky with the emphasis on football and horse racing. There is outside seating with particularly wobbly tables - beware spillages. Bar staff are friendly and welcoming. Ales are usually Harveys Sussex and Brakspears Bitter, both quite rare in this area and kept on top form. No food except filled rolls.
A very different establishment to the Cricketers, both have their strengths & weaknesses. This is definitely a pub, however, whereas the Cricketers isn't really sure whether it is a pub, a wine bar or a restaurant. 8/10
30 May 2006 17:16
A situation like this should be a goldmine but this pub fails to take full advantage. Can be very busy during good weather, much less so when the weather isn't so good. Unfortunately the staffing levels seem to be set around the latter, so service can be slow at busy times. Bar staff are generally young & friendly, but none are Australian. Locals tend to use the bar area which can get lively and smoky due to the low ceiling. There is a no smoking area downstairs. Ales are London Pride, Youngs ordinary plus one guest, which tends to be a 'usual suspect' outside of the Ember Inns beer promotion periods. All are served near lager temperature. Food is standard Ember/Brakes effort. 5/10.
30 May 2006 16:58
Back to MrLloydEvans's profile
The Jolly Coopers, Epsom
Well it was rammed last night for the Pub of the Year presentation, with Dark Star Hophead, Surrey Hills Ranmore and Shere Drop and Weltons Odd Shaped Balls flying over the bar.
12 Oct 2011 16:18