The Cricketers, Epsom

The pub is well situated in an attractive location away from the town centre and overlooking a cricket green. Inside, there is a modern feel, with a bit of a leftfield decor style including dog patterned wall paper and tall fur backed stools with a dalmation pattern. The interior meanders about a bit and is split level, although there is decent wheelchair access via a ramp and level to the WC. A bit plastic and too modern for me inside with fake beams etc, part carpeted, part wood floored, all sorts of seating including thankfully the traditional type. I imagine the garden outside would be a splendid spot in the summer months overlooking the green, or at any time with more clement weather than the wind and rain on Monday. A pretty reasonable ale choice pulls the overall experience up a tad, five pumps, only 3 in use but Bombardier, Doom Bar and a very good and warming new to me Dorking Ruby (£3.10, 5.2%). I found the interior a bit plastic and sterile but I'd certainly return for a summer pint sat outside if the beer is always as good.

This has all the hallmarks of a pubco pub (e.g. staff all in black) although I didn’t recognise the brand. Someone told me that it used to be an Ember Inns pub. Anyway, it had three ales on – Deuchars IPA, Doom Bar and Banks Bitter. the Banks was a decent drop of ale. The menu included typical pubco fare, and although I didn’t eat there the food I saw another couple noshing looked OK. The usual sort of meal deals were on offer – two meals for £9 before 5.0 PM Mon to Sat, grill night on Tuesday, and curry night on Thursday of course. The curry night looked a good bet – a chicken jalfrezi at £5.99 including, rice, naan and a drink. Unusually the drink could be a “cask ale less than 4.1%”, which would include Doom Bar at 4.0%. The pub itself has an agreeable location near to Epsom Common and right by a small lake, or large pond. Inside it’s quite modern in appearance and has the aroma of a recent refurbishment. The main bar area as you enter has a typical mix of furnishings – armchairs, normal tables and chairs, tall tables/benches and tall stools – and is quite tastefully decorated, if a tad minimalist. Around to the left are two areas – one at a lower level that the bar area and the other at a sort of mezzanine level – that look as if they would be used mainly by diners. I reckon that this is a destination pub for those wanting a cheap meal in what might pass for a rural setting in this part of the world. The ale choice is “OK” and I wouldn’t mind dropping in for another pint if I was in the area.

The Cricketers official pages, including menu and beer details - www.emberinns.co.uk

The Cricketers official pages, including menu and beer details - www.emberinns.co.uk