The Refectory, Godalming

The Refectory is the last remaining pub in Milford. Arriving into the car park, it looks like a nice building but I was concerned that it looked a bit too posh and foody. It is in fact part of the Brunning & Price chain of pubs and I normally enjoy a visit to them. It is indeed a fine old structure with lots of wooden beams, stone window frames and a tiled floor. Food is served, but for the drinker, there is a good choice. There are a total of 12 handpulls at the bar, in 2 sections of 6. To the right, there was a house beer from Crafty Brewing (called The Refectory), alongside St Austell Proper Job & Long Man Long Blonde. There was one clip turned and the other 2 handpulls were unclipped. To the left were 6 handpulls all clipped with traditional ciders. Although, it appeared that all of the ciders listed on a board, including those supposedly on handpull, were being fetched from the cellar. The list wasn't completely up-to-date, as one we ordered had run out. To the best of my knowledge, there was Pulp Strawberry Daiquiri & Peach Mojito, Cowfold Silly Moo, Weston's Old Rosei, Hunt's Hazy Day, Barbourne Golden Drop, Little Pomona Wild Kindness #1, Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, Temple Dry, Dorset Nectar Medium & Snail's Bank Orchard Dry. The cider list simply said "Little Pomona" on the board. I was particularly impressed that the young barmaid knew exactly which of their ciders they had in the cellar. I was expecting to ask and be met with a quizzical expression, but she told me the cider without any hesitation at all. It seems the bar staff are all either very knowledgeable or very well trained. Either way, there were 2 ciders I'd never tried before. Having not found any cask ales of interest since my first pub of the day, I elected to have both. Easily my favourite pub of the day in Surrey. I'd happily return here and would probably be in here every day if I lived locally!

A large Brunning and Pricey barn conversion with genuine ancient timbers-there is some debate as to whether the building is as old as it looks.A central bar close to the door serves an open plan, airy space mainly laid up for dining,though drinkers are also catered for. Our visit on a pre-Christmas Saturday afternoon found a full house largely devoted to seasonal delights.Not really my type of pub, but it is clearly meeting a need, with some interesting local cask beers, alongside the widest range of Ciders that I've ever seen in a pub.

Official site of The Refectory - www.brunningandprice.co.uk

Official site of The Refectory - www.brunningandprice.co.uk