The White Hart, Addlestone

Official site of the White Hart - www.the-white-hart.com

Official site of the White Hart - www.the-white-hart.com

Strangely modernised local, dominated by the adjacent road junction. The large front windows don't do much for its appearance, while inside has been stripped down to bare floors and white walls, with a selection of fairly upmarket furniture. Overall feel would probably work in a town, but just doesn't feel right here. Beers include Courage Best and a guest or too, but still fairly pricey. Food sounded quite good, although again pricey. Back room laid up as restaurant, but no takers at time of visit. Garden looks good, with straem flowing through, and handy for Wey Navigation adjacent. Tolerable, but could be much better.

The interior of this pub is nothing special, containing some pretty ordinary furnishings and nothing of note that I saw. They had three ales on – Courage Best, Sharp’s Cornish Coaster and St Austell Tribute. The beer pricing policy doesn’t seem to have improved any since Quinno’s visit over four years ago. I had a half of Tribute which was £1.95, and the barmaid thought that a pint might be either £3.80 or £3.90. Whichever it was, it was mightily overpriced. The exterior signage has it as an ex Courage pub, and even though it did have Courage Best on I didn’t go for it. Probably cheaper than the Tribute though. The big plus for this pub is its location right by the River Wey. At the side of the pub is a grassed area with loads of picnic benches, as well as a kids’ play area at the back. It’s a shame that they spoiled a peaceful place by piping the pop music outside, but maybe others like to hear it out there. Nonetheless this must be a lovely spot to enjoy a pint or two on a warm day if you can bag a table outside – as long as you’re not overrun by kids that is. I didn’t see any sign of food during my late afternoon visit, but surely they must do food, at least during warmer weather at the weekends. If it wasn’t for the outside area this pub wouldn’t really have anything going for it; even if the Tribute was excellent, £3.80 or £3.90 a pint is somewhat excessive.