The Seahorse, Guildford

Very upmarket 'country pub and eating house', although the setting is more suburban than rural. Anyway, the multi-room interior has dark gastro-pub furniture and decoration, with most tables laid up for those dining, although there is some general seating off to the right between the main entrance and the rear bar area. There is also a fair-sized side beer garden, with a slightly split-level part-patio / part-grassed arrangement (although the ambience is compromised by a good deal of traffic noise). I found a pair of Hogs Back beers on the bank of three handpumps: Tongham TEA and Surrey Nirvana (£6.20).

Many years ago this used to be a quite splendid Gales pub, but sadly now it is just another pub/restaurant. At least there is one area of high tables not automatically laid up, but otherwise the slightly rambling interior is given over to dining. Somehow the low-ceilinged atmosphere did not feel quite right, with a mixture of timber beams, arty lighting and dark decor, except round the bar which is brightly illuminated. Just Ubu Purity on handpump, in fairly mediocre condition. Give it a miss unless eating.