The Kings Head, Holmbury St Mary

Dropped in lunch on Sunday, friendly welcome by the landlady and landlord, they have only recently taken over the Pub.
Hophead and Otter on the pumps, my Hophead was in excellent condition.
Had the daily special: Roast marinated lamb rump, which was well cooked and tender, steamed veg's were fresh crisp and fluffy Yorkshire pud.
Overall very good,
I wish them every success in their new venture and anyone who has previously been put off should definitely take the time to revisit.

21 Jul 2014 14:41

The Surrey Oaks, Newdigate

As a regular at the Surrey Oaks for many years, I find the small minded back stabbing of some of these posts extraordinary.
Every day many pubs close, with people so quick to ruin reputations it is really no surprise.
Nick and Tracey have take a bold step taking a pub for tied house to free house and wish to support both the local community and local business where ever possible.
If the local beers do not meet the exacting standards of some drinkers I would suggest the speak with the brewers concerned, personally I find the: Surrey Hills, Tillingbourne, Dark Star, Kissingate, Crouch Vale, Harveys, Firebird rather good.
Ken did a good job over the 20 years he had the keys, however in those years fine tuning his beer selection of recent years have been some simple awful beers, so perhaps the hop police should cut a little slack in the beginning.
Service now is excellent, always enough staff to server quickly and efficiently, pints are always topped up without asking and delivered with good condition.
Anyway last pint I had was Crouch Vale Yumi, which was a light hoppy slightly fruit ale in very good condition.

27 Jun 2014 12:32