The Onslow Arms, Guildford

Searched out the Onslow Arms for the first time on Saturday for a spot of late lunch (it would have been early lunch if the western section of the M25 hadn’t been goddam awful ) and were reasonably impressed. We were aware it is a food led establishment as we had found it via the restaurant reports on trip advisor, but was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked as a comfortable pub as well. Several separate internal sections dotted around the central bar area and the ones closer to the bar are comfortable just for a beer. Was blessed with a fine weather day so could utilise the large back courtyard garden which is a very pleasant spot. We had come here for both the beer and the food and were happy with the offerings on both accounts. There are two banks of three ale hand pumps on the large L shaped bar area which were dispensing Surrey Hills Shere Drop, Caledonian Flying Scotsman and Sharps Cornish Coaster. And then a solitary pump in the middle of these, which is easily missed, had The Source from the nearby Tillingbourne micro brewery. And in keeping with the other review, the Shere Drop was an excellent pint well kept. The main food menu is more gastro than traditional pub fare, but there is a decent selection of sandwiches and lighter meals on the lunch time menu and , although at Surrey price levels, the quality and quantity was very good. Can see myself utilising this one again when back in the vicinity.

Onslow Arms official site - www.onslowarmsclandon.co.uk

Onslow Arms official site - www.onslowarmsclandon.co.uk

A large, cavernous and rambling pub, built in a mixture of styles and in a range of eras, recently renovated by the current owners. A haunt of family and friends in the seventies and eighties, the pub has been reborn as a contemporary community local.(Being in Surrey, the devil in me looked for a helipad on our visit in the early evening on a damp January Sunday.) Helipad or not, there is a large garden out back, in readiness for warmer days. Food led,most of the area is laid up for dining, with a few oases of comfy chairs for the drinker. On the bar, alongside the usual fizzy suspects, were two beers from Surrey-Shere Drop and Hog’s Back TEA, alongside a couple from Sharps of Cornwall-Coaster and Special. On the day, the Shere Drop was in such good condition that I stayed with it all evening. We enjoyed a light supper with friends, before dropping the younger element in Guildford. Service was friendly, if a touch flustered-it had been a busy winter’s day, and the meals not unduly expensive for the district. We’d like to revisit, and may well do so in future.