Duke Of Wellington, Leatherhead

Official site of Duke Of Wellington - www.dukeofwellingtoneasthorsley.co.uk

Official site of Duke Of Wellington - www.dukeofwellingtoneasthorsley.co.uk

Historic buildings dating back to 16th century, with lots of woodwork and odd corners in the interior but rather disappointingly fitted out primarily as a restaurant. It does at least have 3 or 4 draught ales on offer - Deuchars IPA sampled and in good order (Cask Marque listing). Outside there is a small patio and larger beer garden, with also some roadside tables in front of the pub. Probably not worth the trip if not eating.

Nice looking pub with a bit of history attached to it, (see picture), however once inside we find the interior appears to have been tampered with over the years and opened out somewhat. A very large area inside and very empty on my late afternoon visit,the emphasis seems to be toward dining and on all entrance doors were signs stating no soiled work clothes aloud which may go some way to explain the lack of custom at the time of my visit, as the door I entered by was open I didn't spot the notices until sat at the bar with a pint, I was indeed in work clothes and although wouldn't have described myself as soiled, would maybe admit to possibly being slightly grubby,nothing was said. Ales on the bar were Wells Bombadier Burning Gold, Hook Norton Lion and Joseph Holts Two Hoots,backed up by the usual fizz on keg.In one area there was a drop down screen showing Tennis. Maybe this place is good for food but it did little for me as a pub.

The Duke of Wellington is an attractive stone clad former coaching Inn on the A246 in the small Surrey Village of East Horsley. Unfortunately the large multi area interior does not stand up to the exterior and, although obviously previously different rooms, now one open plan space with a tired and dated 70’s pub décor. The bar is in front of you when you enter and then the two sections to the right function as a public bar side with large flat screen tele in one section and a pool table in the other. And then to the left is a larger section with various tables which looked focussed on dining, and then behind the bar was an additional small area which could well have been a separate snug room formerly. And to say the whole place had a lived in feel would be putting it mildly. Strangely the available outside drinking space is not representative of the interior and there is quite a smart lit garden area to the side of the pub. We utilised it for a late Saturday evening couple of pints whilst staying in one of the two large hotels within walking distance. At this time it more resembled a social club for the local East Horsley youth with several young barstaff and their mates collected around the bar jovially singing along to the loud music playing from the public bar side of the pub. However the service was swift and courteous and there were no complaints in that department. And although I am sure this place moves mostly draft lagers there were three ale taps on the bar with two functioning and I have to say the available Deuchars IPA and Caledonian Golden IPA were very drinkable. We chose not to eat here and looking at the Trip Advisor restaurant reviews that may have been a wise choice. This place also functions as a B&B with courtyard accommodation out back, but again a look at Trip Advisor is advisable before utilising. OK enough for a beer, but not a place I would choose to return to. And when considering the expensive bit of Surrey it resides in and its position next door to two large business hotels, in one way I think its admirable that it remains as an entertainment spot for the local youth who can’t afford to travel into the bright lights of Guildford, but you can’t help thinking someone is missing a trick here and it is quite surprising and one wonders why this one has not been gastrofied. However, on leaving by the side entrance to the garden I came across the information board which probably answered the question why, as this board detailed the history of the pub, which is much more interesting than the pub itself and the fact that most of it is a Grade II listed structure and therefore difficult to change. For reference I reproduce the information board here. “The Duke of Wellington started life as The Greyhound in 1576 when Thomas Taylor was the victualler. The name was changed to The Crown in the late 1660’s following the restoration of the monarchy. Originally facing the village street, the Inn was repositioned to face the new turnpike road when it was rebuilt in 1820 to a design by Charles Barry, the architect of The Houses of Parliament. It was given its third name at this time to honour the Duke of wellingtons victory at Waterloo in 1815, perhaps surprisingly considering his description of soldiers as “scum who only joined up for the ale”. In the 1860’s the Inn had seven bedrooms, a coach house, stabling for eleven horses, a resident ostler and three pig sties. A daily coach service ran between The Duke of Wellington and The Spur in Borough High Street London. The Milestone set in the garden wall remains to this day”