The Good Intent, Guildford

Pub SignMan left this review about The Good Intent

Situated in the heart of the village, this is an attractive two bar rural pub with a reputation for good ale. You enter directly to the bar, which a partitioning wall divides in two, although the rooms either side are fairly similar simple seating areas, either of which would make a good spot to settle down. The bar has a brick fronted counter beneath a hop-lined canopy, which instantly gives it a proper rural pub feel, whilst the attractive dark wood bar back displays a good collection of tankards and has the pub’s name written across the top. Seating comes in the form of fixed benches under the front windows with basic chairs in support and a few high stools along the bar, thankfully devoid of bar blockers on my visit. The whole place is liberally criss-crossed with dark wooden beams and lintels, which further enhance the traditional feel of the pub. The left-hand side is set at a slightly lower level to the rest of the pub and from back here, you can access a very pleasant beer garden with plenty of benches set out across the initial patio area and then out onto the lawn beyond. There were plenty of colourful flower displays out here which really brightened it up and made it a nice place to rest in, having walked here as part of the North Downs Way, which passes directly outside.
The pub has been in recent editions of the Good Beer Guide and accordingly there were four ales available – Sharps Doom Bar and Solar Wave, an unbranded house beer and Taylor’s Landlord. I took a pint of the latter (£4.90) from a very welcoming barman and found it in very good condition – it certainly didn’t stay in the glass for very long after I’d walked here on a very hot summer’s day.
Perhaps I was just in such urgent need of liquid refreshment that I took so favourably to this place, but I really enjoyed my brief visit and thought it was a great little country pub with friendly staff, well-kept ale, a nice traditional interior and a cracking beer garden. Definitely worth stopping in at if you’re walking the North Downs Way and worth keeping in mind if you happen to be passing through the general area.

Date of visit - 24th June 2024

On 11^th December 2023 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]