The Red Lion, Woking

Very much a food-led pub,opened out and modernised inside with wooden flooring and neutral coloured decor. The place was heaving on a late Sunday afternoon with a mixed crowd of attendees and a good proportion were families dining, in some case's this unfortunately involved young kids and pushchairs trying to weave a path through the crowd. On the bar available ales were Caledonian Golden XPA,Adnams Southwold Bitter and Fullers London Pride, I had a London Pride at £4.00 a pint and though not a beer I would normally go for found it to be served in the very best condition. I was impressed with the young barstaff team although annoyingly attired in corperate uniform, they were ultra efficient. But not really for me this pub, the pushchairs pushed me over the edge.

A welcome sight having walked up from Woking station on a warm day, there are fine looking tubs and baskets to the frontage and the main door is guarded by a stone lion. Inside there is a full length front room with the bar along the back wall, a slightly raised area to one end and a pair of sofas either side of a fireplace. Various bits of framed artwork on the walls, several with a bicycle theme, open shelving units containing plants, seating is mixed but there is plenty of the conventional type for the traditionalists such as myself. Through a pair of doors to the right of the bar the pub runs back with this area seemingly more for formal dining. There is exposed brickwork here and an open trussed roof painted grey. The food looks to be high quality and there were plenty of customers enjoying lunches. Beyond this area, doors lead outside to a splendid looking garden, firstly at a terrace with a central tree then with a grassy area beyond, it all looked very appealing. As regards the important stuff, there are two banks of three handpumps, the choices being repeated, St Austell Tribute (£4), Pride and Caledonian Golden XPA. I liked it here despite the modern and sleek feel, a good start to my walk around Horsell and the various commons.

Official site of The Red Lion - www.redlionhorsell.co.uk

Official site of The Red Lion - www.redlionhorsell.co.uk