The Garland, Redhill

My maiden review on PG having tired of the plebeian 'Twitter' mentality on BITE, which I've contributed around 600 pub reviews to but I fear has now had its day for more serious reviewers who want to do more than simply slate others' opinions. I trust a more respectful approach is adopted here.... I am one of those "jammy buggers" that Mr Davies refers to in his last review....! And I am happy to report with considerable smugness that having frequent access to the Garland is something of a privilege, and one which I certainly enjoy to the full. I have had a nigh-on 20-year relationship with this pub, which promises relatively little externally given its demure Victorian architecture and being located in a town sadly not awash with dedicated quality ale houses. However, once inside the draws to the traditional pub and ale enthusiast should become more apparent. They have been sufficient to keep me coming back time and again, at any rate. The decor is pseudo-Victoriana, which is far-from-authentic but does suit the overall ambience created around the bar and immediate seating areas. The function room is an anodyne but nevertheless useful overflow for when things get busy and for - oddly enough - the holding of functions. Music is played and is very much landlord's choice (no jukeboxery or karaoke here folks), which may please or displease in equal measure. But at least only 'proper' music proliferates here, and the recent addition of live events following a relaxation in licensing law is certainly a further string to the pub's bow. There should be a warm welcome from Stuart or Lesley Dimmock, the current tenants, as well as their staff, which includes Peter Stevens, the 'executive chef' if I can call him that, who provides a variety of classic, but well-cooked pub grub meals at lunchtimes. Mercifully, evenings are retained as a time for the civil hubbub of drinkers, centred around the bar and around nearby tables, unencumbered by the fuss and faff of food orders. Beyond this, the cask beer lover will immediately clock and approve of the 8 handpumps, all dispensing Harvey's of course as this is a tied house, but don't let lack of brewery origin diversity dismay you: if you enjoy a Harvey's, there are at least 6 to quaff your way through and in 99 times out of 100 a perfectly-conditioned pint will be pumped-up for your delectation. The landlord's biochemistry degree allows him to appreciate and understand the finer points of cellarmanship, and it shows. If he knows it is wrong, it shall not be served. A reasonable selection of wines are also available at modest mark-ups for pub-land and from old and new world sources; spirits are also diverse in range and again, sensibly-priced. There is also a tryptych of keg lagers from the usual mass-produced factory spread, though these will not be found at such competitive prices - there is no apology at the G-spot for tentatively pushing customers away from bland fizz and fake stout and towards the craft ales, which start at £2.90 and although go up to £3.80, are still decidedly better value for money! Keg cider is also available for those suited to it. The Garland has, since 2008 when S & L took the reins, become something of a civilised community centre (and I don't mean some kind of old man's social club with a pool table and serving John Smith's and Carling!), which prides itself on being available to anyone who appreciates its wares, from any age or background. Behave, and you will be gathered to its bosom. If you do not, you may be dismissed: one cannot say fairer than that. Regular meals take place on Sundays for charity purposes, and it is a frequent haunt of the local CamRA branch for its meetings. On an everyday basis, there are darts and traditional bar billiards to keep the punters amused if lively conversation and cask ale appreciation are not enough. I should also mention a generous smoking area at the rear and a secluded garden, which has plenty of seating for clement weather and is handy for barbecues. Naturally, I am biased about this place, as I have adopted it as my local and would find it hard to imagine people not finding it as engaging as I. It is not 'the best pub in England'. But it's pretty damn good, and when it's your local, that's more than good enough. I hope if you haven't already, you read this, pay a visit, and decide for yourself.

The Garland is a classic street corner Victorian local on the main road running south out of the town centre. It dates back to 1865 – one of the oldest buildings in Redhill apparently – and was originally called The Anchor. Inside, we see a photo of the pub from those days badged as a Mellersh and Neale of Reigate pub, who fell into the hands of the Meux Brewery in 1938. It’s a fine traditional pub with a curved mahogany bar counter, complete with gantry and brass foot rail adding to the appealing interior. It’s a comfortable, carpeted, well appointed interior. An area on the right has a bar billiards table and dart board. On the left is a separate room that can be used for functions. At the back is a surprisingly large ( given the central location ) outside seating area. Since my previous visit a few years ago ( doesn’t time fly ?), the long standing tenants, Bill and Shirley, have sadly gone and the beer range seems to have reduced. The more observant amongst us will also have noticed that the fine collection of clowns on the bar gantry and shelves have also disappeared. It’s still an interesting interior though, with particular note being made of a number of photos of the London – Brighton Veteran Car Run passing the pub. As if we didn’t already know, it’s a Surrey outpost for Harveys of Lewes beers and, on my visit, 5 beers were on – Best, Mild and Armada ( regulars ) plus, as guests, Old and Bonfire Boy. Laminated drinks menus on the tables detail the good range of Harveys bottled beers that are also available. The pub has been a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular for a number of years and the new tenants appear to have maintained the good beer quality. I have to report that the background music was too loud and intrusive and did feel out of place, but, thankfully, peace returned when there was a change of serving staff behind the bar. This is still a pub worth going out of your way to get to

The Garland is the reason why we stopped off at Redhill i took a photo before we went in as it was getting dark but when we tried the front door it was locked but people were drinking inside then the landlord came to our rescue he said the doors were shut because Brighton were away at Crystal Palace and there could be trouble. Once inside there was one largish comfortable room and with this being an harveys tied house there was a good choice of their beers on the bar there were about six real ales on and we had a drink of Sussex Pale Ale which was very nice and then a drink of Sussex best bitter which was even better i also noticed Armada Ale and Harveys Old Ale. This was a realy nice unspoilt pub that we would have liked to stay in all evening. Pub visited 26/10/2002