The Maypole, Surbiton

The Maypole is a very popular local’s pub that has three screens for showing Sky Sports and there is a pool table and dartboard in an area to the left of the entrance. There was a darts league game in progress during my visit on the Thursday before Christmas and the PDC World Darts Championship was being shown on the TVs so I ended up staying a lot longer than I had planned as I felt right at home. The service was polite and the three hand pumps were drawing Ordinary, Doom Bar and Abbot and there is also a standard draught selection from which I received a couple of pints of well poured Guinness. I didn’t spot any advertisements for food other than the Sunday Roasts, but there was a buffet spread laid out for the dart players and I would be surprised if there isn’t some sort of daily menu. There are a few picnic tables in an area out the back and there is also a covered smoking area. Accommodation is available, but I didn’t spot any prices. I would travel a distance to drink here again.

I have passed this pub on many occasions, however I've never ventured inside until today. The attractive half green tiled exterior and clean rendered upper part plus hanging baskets suggested a well kept pub. Exactly right, a friendly welcome at the bar, and a busy room at 5:30pm says all. Pretty much an open plan interior in so far as there is no seperation between areas, however the layout is such that it still feels like three rooms. A comfortable light interior with generally lightly coloured walls and wainscotting, but with a red/gold wallpaper in the middle area opposite the bar, where there is also a nicely preserved tiled fire surround. The bar is ahead on entering, to the right is a dartboard with space and an oche, trophies evident over the bar. The far left area contains a pool table. Beyond is an outdoor bit with a few benches. Seating is very traditional, mainly tables in fours plus the odd smaller circular table with a couple of stools. A pleasant buzzy ambiance, a mix of well-heeled locals, builders and mechanics from the garage opposite after work. Rugby looks to be important here, lots of B&W stills, plus fixture lists for local sides. I spotted three TV's scattered around too. There are four handpumps, one not in use. Youngs Ordinary Bitter, Sharp's Doom Bar and a very good pint of Twickenham Naked Ladies. Food looked very reasonable too for standard fare, eg, chilli and rice £5.50, Sausage and chips £3.50, sandwiches around £3. I may have passed by before but I'd certainly go in again, well worth it despite being a bit off the beaten track station wise.