King William IV, Leatherhead

After a period of closure ,food is a definite theme here although just drinking is fine.The interior is now painted in a dark Farrow & Ball scheme,fine in the low ceiling area at the bar and to the right but dark and gloomy in the vaulted room to the left.The low beams attest to the age of the right side,one fireplace works ,furniture is traditional with some large heavy wood tables but the area immediately by the bar has two black leather comfy chairs indicating the front of the pub as a drinking area ,the tables around are not cluttered with menus ,condiments and cutlery. At the rear of the building in a more modern extension is the dining room,laid for service and this is where diners concentrated close to french windows onto the large beer garden with pic nic benches all numbered for al fresco dining. The food is well cooked ,pricing is a premium with mains £15 to £20+ but seemed justified.At the bar Hogs Back TEA,a house King Billy provenance unknown and a very good Surrey Hills Shere Drop ,NBSS 4. I enjoyed my lunchtime visit and the fact that diners are generally away from the bar area helped ,not sure whether this becomes more of a village local in the evening but I suspect the advice to book for evening food might indicate what will dominate.