The Pheasant at Buckland, Betchworth

Upmarket Brunning & Price pub with a variety of seating and dining areas in a overall U shape; all parts furnished and decorated in the expected smart semi-traditional style. With six of the seven handpumps in use, I found the 'house' (St Austell) session bitter, Harvey's and the local Shere Drop from Surrey Hills (£5.65) along with three Seaciders, with the chalkboard noting Hogs Back's Tongham TEA as the other regular beers.

Official site of The Pheasant at Buckland - www.brunningandprice.co.uk

Official site of The Pheasant at Buckland - www.brunningandprice.co.uk

Previously known as the Jolly Farmers, a curious pub cum deli on the A25 between Reigate and Dorking, the Pheasant reopened in December 2015 as part of the upmarket Brunning and Price chain. Based round a thirties roadhouse, the pub has expanded over the years with a range of conservatory style extensions, now largely devoted to dining. On entering the pub, the L-shaped bar with six handpumps faces you. Going forward,parallel to the A25 is an interlinked series of small nooks ,some laid up for meals, some welcoming drinkers. To the right, and continuing behind the service are a couple of larger areas well furnished with businesslike tables and chairs, again largely with the diner in mind, though there was a cosy corner around the central wood burning stove. Our visit took place on a mild and mirky post Christmas lunchtime:we were delayed on the M25, and there was some problem with the arrangements, but by the time we finally met the rest of the family this had been sorted out by the efficient and friendly management to everybodies satisfaction. Perhaps unusually for this type of pub there were six real ales on handpump: those that we tried , from Pilgrim, Phoenix and the ever reliable Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter were in good form. Fizzy beer was also available, together with an impressive wine list. Interestingly, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from the USA was lurking in the fridge:I've not seen this before in a pub. Our meals (I suppose the real purpose of this visit) were well presented and charmingly served, if on the pricey side, but of course we were in Surrey, darling.