The Cricketers, Downside, Cobham

Official site of The Cricketers - cricketerscobham.com

Official site of The Cricketers - cricketerscobham.com

Was refurbished in the Autumn of 2011. The outside seating was the main difference with modern square tables in place of the more cosy wooden types that there used to be. There was also a very strange false green turf in place of the real grass. The design was too trendy and lacked much warmth. However the food was neat and nicely presented and came in very reasonable proportions. Very Gastro compared to the old style British Pub it used to be, the real ales are still pretty handy with generally at least 4 or 5 on plus various other interesting beers. Worth visting still.

I managed to pay a return visit to this yesterday, following a half-hour walk from Cobham Stoke d’Abernon station. They’ve apparently had a mini refurbishment, although the wonderful interior of the pub has gladly not been interfered with. There are no longer picnic benches outside, as they have been replaced by what I presume are all weather tables and chairs, placed on fake grass. It doesn’t look quite so nice at the front now (just my opinion of course), but I suppose the area is more reliable. They also advertise a new menu – I don’t know what all the differences are, but the steak and ale pie has gone up from £9.95 to £12.95 (the quality was OK though), and on the drinks side the Surrey Hills Shere Drop has gone up to £3.80 a pint from £3.30 a year ago. So, this has gone from an excellent country pub to an excellent but expensive country pub.