Prince of Wales, Reigate

The Prince of Wales is a Shepherd Neame pub next to Reigate railway station, on the opposite side of the tracks from the town itself. I'm not a fan of Shepherd Neame pubs or their beers. This one proved no exception. Spitfire, Master Brew & Whitstable Pale Ale were the 3 real ales. None of them took my fancy. So, I ordered the Shepherd Neame Orchard View fizzy cider. Whilst being bog standard, it was still quite refreshing after a lengthy day's drinking. The inside of the pub has one large room split into two parts at the front, with a couple of smaller and cosier carpeted rooms behind the bar. There is also an outdoor area overlooking the railway line. It was reasonably busy on my midweek mid-evening visit, but not necessarily with the usual transient type of customers you often find at railway station pubs. It had more the feel of a local.

Official site of Prince of Wales - www.princeofwalesreigate.co.uk

Official site of Prince of Wales - www.princeofwalesreigate.co.uk

A Shepherd Neame pub; we were told that the Whitstable Bay wasn't ready yet although the pump clip was facing forward, and the ales actually on were Spitfire amd Masterbrew. We were in there at Wednesday lunchtime, when hot food was available although I didn't get to scrutinise a menu. The main bar area at the front is bare-boarded, has some tall tables/tall stools, including one tall table constructed from looks like the front of a steam train boiler. There's some exposed brickwork on the right, including the fireplace (with a large clock on the chimney breast), which looks pretty tatty it has to be said. There are a couple more interconnected rooms at the back, both carpeted and both with normal tables and chairs. The one on the left has another exposed brickwork fireplace. We sat in the room at the back on the right, which had a very nice Shepherd Neame brewery mirror on the wall. Unfortunately it was a rainy day so couldn't explore the garden. I saw free wi-fi advertised. This pub next to Reigate Station and is thus a very handy starting point for a Reigate crawl. It's still an OK pub even though it's been madeover to death. Maybe we were unlucky with the restricted ale choice on our visit.

This is a large Shepherd Neame pub located near the back entrance to the station, three rooms inside, each with a different feel. The bar is in the larger front area, this was a lively, busy boarded room with mixed seating, a large genuine railway station clock and a pair of large TV screens. Beyond are a pair of similar sized carpeted rooms, both much quieter and generally containing regular seating. A smaller TV in one room helps to keep drinkers abreast of the sport, the other room looked to me rather geared for dining looking at the table arrangements although none were set at about 5pm on Saturday. The room I chose had cushioned benches with scatter cushions at tables with small stools opposite, lots of framed SN memorabilia as is usual, pictures of the brewery, dray vehicles, hop pickers, oast houses and so on. Off this room is an outdoor courtyard facing the station and carrying the name Platform 3. Sheps beers only, 5 handpumps carried Kent's Best, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay, no sign of Late Red sadly, I haven't spotted that anywhere yet this year. Pubs near stations are often not that great but this place was actually ok and very well appointed, a useful spot for a first or last pint when in Reigate.