The Coach & Horses, Chertsey

Pub SignMan left this review about The Coach & Horses

This is a pleasant, traditional pub that looks like it used to have a two or three bar layout, but now comprises a single space with the servery in the middle of the back wall. The opening out of the pub has resulted in a U-shaped room with exposed floorboards, low lincrusta covered walls and plain painted or wallpapered uppers above a dado rail. The bar has an angular tongue and groove panelled counter, a matching canopy covered with blackboards detailing accommodation options, and a smart, mirrored bar back. To the right is a slightly lower-level seating area with padded benches around the perimeter and low stools in support. A single bench stands in the front window opposite the bar, but no table has been provided here as the space is too narrow, with more tables and chairs eventually emerging in the slightly larger left-hand side of the room. A brick fireplace dominates the end wall and some sort of overspill area extends beyond here, but it was in total darkness on this visit. An elaborately framed mirror hangs above the fireplace and some bold vases of flowers line the mantlepiece, whilst over in the right side of the room, old advertising mirrors, portraits and other such traditional décor adds colour to the wall space.
This is a Fullers house, but they only stock a limited range of their beers on draught, with the cask options limited to just London Pride and ESB. The barmaid was very friendly and served me an excellent pint of the ESB, although as per the current herd mentality, most punters were on the Guinness instead, which might help explain the limited ale range. The pub was doing a good trade ahead of an evening kick-off at Chertsey’s nearby football club, with seating in short supply and a lively atmosphere building.
I found this to be a bit of a basic pub, clinging on to a few traditional features but ultimately wiped out by the opening up of the interior. They compensate for a limited ale range by keeping their beer to a high standard and I can’t fault the welcoming service either, all of which makes the pub worth a look in passing, although I preferred the Old Swan and would make that my pub of choice if I was a local.

Date of visit - 12th November 2024

On 20^th February 2025 - rating: 6
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