Hurtwood Inn, Guildford

Peaslake isn’t the easiest place to get to with just a few hilly minor roads leading to the village. The Hurtwood Inn dates from 1920 and is primarily a quite extensive hotel that hyas all the anti-pub ambience that you could probably imagine. The large interior is very loungey with a clash of colours and styles that will attract polarised opinions. It is predominantly geared for residents and diners rather than drinkers who will probably feel very much out of place here as I did. The Inn was mentioned in my Good Beer Guide and the Ales was pretty good with 3 available on my visit, Youngs Ordinary, Shere Drop and Springhead Liberty with a 4th pump reversed. Prices however were pretty hefty, particularly when it came to soft drinks. The village is set in the heart of good walking country and is naturally popular with ramblers but I wasn’t particularly enamoured with the place and there didn’t seem to be many other local options so if you find yourself in the village, it is a case of Hobson’s Choice.

Oh dear what's going on here. Judging by the smell of paint a recent and very ill-advised refurbishment. I've no idea what it was like before but it can't have been worse than what we have now, a stark bare boards bare walls and bright lights affair with those horrid horrid sofas and big tables. As there's only three sets of them it means once three groups are sat down that's it, you're stood up. Despite the excellent Bill King beer it feels dreadfully uncomfortable. Stop for a quick one if your out walking but if you want to linger there are many far better choices round here.