The Winning Horse, Esher

As you walk through the entrance into the small vestibule you are faced with a small area of the bar effectively being used as a sweet counter. That’s unusual, in the London area anyway although maybe it’s the norm in other parts of the country, but I suppose there’s nothing wrong with a pub doubling up as a sweet shop. A door on the right leads to the Public Bar, and the door on the left leads to the Saloon Bar. I spent my visit in the latter bar; although I didn’t get a good look at the Public bar it looked comfortable enough and I did spot an array of football scarves on one of the walls. The Saloon Bar retains a strong 70s feel to it – formica topped tables; red plastic padding on the front of the bar counter; green mock velvet upholstered banquettes; and a gas fire in the fireplace. Other items of interest are the small fish tank, horse-racing prints and the like on the walls, and bottles and jugs on display, the latter hanging from a beam in the middle of the room. It looks a traditional pub from the outside with its original green tiling, and Mann, Crossman and Paulin brewers glazing in the windows. They had a couple of real ales on – Courage Best, and the excellent St Austell Tribute. The latter was in fine fettle (as equestrians would have it), at a very reasonable price of £2.70 a pint. I didn’t see any sign of food or menus, although my visit was mid afternoon on a weekday. This looks like another decent, clean and unpretentious pub. It’s definitely worth dropping in for a pint if you’re in the area, especially if you like largely unspoilt inter-war pubs.