The Bear, Esher

I somehow missed this pub on my last visit to Esher during Christmas 2017. So, I'd been looking for an opportunity to re-visit ever since. The Bear is a prominent landmark at the centre of the town. It has a very pleasant garden, with the available space well used, including several private hut-like structures. As a Young's establishment, there were just a couple of ales on - Young's Ordinary & St Austell Proper Job. Parking can be a little difficult. The pub does have a car park with a barrier, but we did find a space along a street to the rear.

Fine old hotel that still provides accommodation. Wide variety of seating and dining areas, some at a lower level. Refurbished in an upmarket semi-modern style but done in a way that thankfully does retain some character. Pleasant split-level patio beer garden to one side. Two banks of three handpumps, offering Youngs Ordinary, London Gold and Special.

The Bear is a large prominent pub and hotel situated at one of the main road junctions in Esher. The long and narrow main bar has wooden flooring, mostly high tables with stools and leaded windows, there are a few side rooms, one snug like one to the left with a couple of sofas, two larger rooms to the right with fireplaces, swirly patterned wallpaper, one with a TV showing Sky Sports. To the rear of here is a formal restaurant, complete with white linen cloths and lit by a stained glass rooflight. Decor comprises mainly modern arty prints of nothing much, plus a few frames of the usual old B&W local scenes. Youngs beers, two banks of three repeated, Ordinary Bitter, Special (£3.60) and Waggledance, no guests. Outdoor area to the left hand side. Rooms are advertised for £120, it is Esher but that sounds steep to me, perhaps a last resort crash pad after Sandown races. Following the theme, menus on the tables had typical pub fare but most mains well over £10. Functional corporate uniformed service, not one down for a revisit.

Large young's pub close to Sandown racecourse. The pub has accommodation and food is served.

Bear Inn pages at the Youngs site - www.youngs.co.uk