The Harrow, Chaldon, Caterham

Perfectly functional country pub, handily place 150m from the North Downs Way. 3 reals on and I went safe with an excellent £4 pint of London Pride. Nice pub. Photos at my blog - http://bit.ly/2JWqtdP

This is apparently the second highest pub in the County of Surrey situated on the ridge of the North Downs and close to the Pilgrims' Way. I can probably vouch for that having visited during my walk around the Caterham area which seemed to be relentlessly uphill. It is a country pub, situated in the small but widespread village of Chaldon, there are black ceiling beams, a wood burner, brick, quarry tiled and wooden floors. Some exposed brickwork and in the rear restaurant, a former outhouse added on with exposed painted stonework. Various artefacts around, especially on the window cills such as kettles, stone jars, clocks, pewter vessels etc. Daily papers were available on a wall mounted rack, decor included old local maps, one of which showed that the pub was a base for the Home Guard in WWII. Isolated to a degree as the pub is, there were many in on Saturday afternoon, most having seemingly driven out for the rather upmarket meals. I arrived in search of a pint of good beer and a rest from my walk, of six handpumps there were three on, Tribute, Pride and Ringwood Best Bitter (£3.70). The pub is clearly dog friendly, a few were in, walker and biking friendly too, not snooty at all, there is a large outside garden with a big cover for bad weather. A welcome stop on my walk, I appreciated it and a good pint too, just a nagging feeling that the place is now really a destination for weekend meals, not that you can blame them.

An attractive four hundred year old pub comprising what looks like two cottages knocked together plus various extensions. It would have been a multi-room arrangement that has suffered the usual refurbishments over the years. At any rate it's still very olde-worlde, low beams, stone floors, open fires and a pleasant garden. Star Pubs (that's S&N to you) but with a fair selection of beers, St Austell, Ringwood Best, Pride and Wainright though neither of the two we tried were in prime condition. It's on the crest of the North Downs on the Pligrim's Way, there's some great walking around here. Definitrely worth a look.