Surrey Oaks, Dorking

Visited in May 2010 Splendidly traditional and welcoming 16th Century rural roadhouse pub which features stone flagged floors, oak beams, low ceilings and a large inglenook. There's a restaurant area on the left and several interconnecting drinking areas on the right, which includes one room with what is possibly the largest collection of framed CAMRA certificates that I can recollect seeing for some time. There's also a fine collection of pump clips indicating the large number of ales that have been sold over the years. Unusually, and looking slightly out of place, is a separate billiards room. There's a largish garden at the side which includes 2 petanque pitches and some rather rusty and weathered childrens play equipment. Note also the different pictures on either side of the pub sign and a Friary Meux horseshoe lamp outside, indicative of the pub's former ownership. Unusually, for such a rural location, there's an unconnected curry house directly opposite. The pub is a keen supporter of local microbreweries and, on my recent lunchtime visit, was serving Weltons Lionheart and Ossett Dazzler, amongst others. I didn't think either of these two beers tasted particularly distinctive, but a subsequent pint of Harveys was superb. All beers were priced at £ 3. A Surrey Hills beer had just run out. The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular - note the large collection of stickers on the door as you go in. A large banner outside, tied up between two trees, advertised a forthcoming beer festival over the late May Day Bank Holiday weekend ( 28-31 May ) Being a rural pub, it's not particularly easy to get to without the car and it doesn't seem to be on a bus route. My recent lunchtime visit was via Holmwood Station ( on the Dorking - Horsham line ) and then a pleasant 40 minute walk across fields and through bluebell woods. Do note that the pub is in Parkgate, and not Newdigate, as the address would indicate. Local residents are fortunate in having two such splendid pubs as The Surrey Oaks and The Royal Oak within a few miles of each other. Do make the effort of seeking them out - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

We pass this pub fairly often, and I was aware of its legendary reputation. A Wealden, tile hung house, with low beams,logburning stoves and a newer extension to one side, with windows looking out to a traditional red phone box and pillar box. It makes me think of autumn for some reason. We came for Sunday lunch, and to meet friends. Entering the pub in the newer area, we were impressed by the relaxed atmosphere-families, couples reading the Sunday papers and the occasional biker. This is a temple to ale, with a constantly changing list of guests complementing the regulars-Harveys Sussex Best Bitter and Surrey Hills’ Ranmore Ale. On the day in question, the guests were Salopian Beatnick, a me-to Golden ale, the excellent Penny Pond Porter from Loddon, and a wheat beer from Otley. Enterprisingly, the long standing landlord posts beer lists and tasting notes on the web,together with Twitters (a technology with which I’m not totally au fait.) The food was good, and not too pricey for Surrey-I had a decent lambshank, and the family had curry. All real ales were £3.50. Ciders and perries were listed on the blackboards.

Multi (CAMRA) award-winning free house, offering an ever changing selection of mainly micro-brewed ales. There's a large garden with children's play area. The food's pretty good but, if you don't fancy it, there is (somewhat implausibly given the rural location!) an Indian restaurant right across the road.

Official site of the Surrey Oaks, contains menus and real ale details - www.surreyoaks.co.uk

Official site of the Surrey Oaks, contains menus and real ale details - www.surreyoaks.co.uk