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Detail Pages
The Old House, Dorking
Dorking
RH4 1BY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Old House
The Old House is one of Dorking's better pubs and benefits from probably the widest real ale range in town. There is a house beer from Laine's simply called Old House and 3 other ales. These were Dorking DB One, Hardy & Hanson's Rockin' Rudolph & Weetwood Cheshire Cat.
This appears to be a fairly popular place for drinkers. Although food is also served at times. The barmaid appeared to be quite jolly when speaking to most of the regulars, but not quite as friendly when dealing with a stranger such as myself. Dogs are welcomed.
As the previous review states, there are wooden floors, which don't always appeal on cold winter's days like yesterday. Whilst the temperature inside was good, I didn't quite feel as comfortable in here as in other pubs in the town. Still worthy of a visit though.
On 7th December 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about The Old House
The bar featured 2 ales by Dorking, 1 from Sly Beast and also "Old House" (brewed by Laine's). £5.10 got me a good quality Pacific Pale from Dorking, though sadly not quite the full pint. There's a good menu too, with prices pretty reasonable.
As for the interior (outside not sampled), it's all wood flooring plus wooden tables giving a traditional feel. All in all, a relaxing venue for a pint or two.
On 15th June 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 453 recommendations about 425 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Old House at Dorking
Obviously a fairly old building, inside I found a pleasant mix of old and new,flagstone and wooden flooring, wooden panelling on the walls,decor-wise ,a few upright dark stained timber columns but the main theme is a kind of distressed antique Ivory,it works well,I would say the general feel of the pub is half pub half bistro,I quite took to it.
However beer-wise it doesn't hit the spot for me, a Young's pub, and only related beers on offer on my visit, I initially only spotted two hand pumps upon my entrance, sporting Youngs Bitter and Wells Eagle IPA badges so opted for a half of the former, oddly dispensed into an Estrella glass,not that the drinking vessel affects the taste in anyway but I suspected if the glass had the actual liquid intended for it in situ it may have had more taste than the ale I chose, Youngs ordinary is not the beer it once was. I later discovered another brace of pumps further around the curved bar,these offering Young's Special and Wells Humming Bird, had I noticed these earlier I would have opted for the Humming Bird,one of the less poor beers from the Wells stable,as a pub I liked it,add some interesting beer into the equation and it wood make a very good pub.
On 28th August 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Old House at Dorking
A nearly L-shaped place with a small shape spoiling bit in a front corner, low white painted beamed ceiling, distressed wood panelled walls. Mostly boarded flooring but one end is flagged where there is a wood burner and a pair of sofas. Otherwise, mostly regular seating although much of it was apparently "reserved", something I routinely ignore unless bothered, I rarely have been. Décor follows the Dorking model of lots of chicken stuff, pictures and models plus a few horse pulling dray pictures and porcelain figures.
I reckon the pub is quite nice however on my call the place was holding a massive family party and was full of kids, crying babies and people clearly not used to pubs. One middle aged woman was sporting a proper black eye, many of her mates looked as rough as.
Despite this, the pub was ok, clearly can be better, Young's Bitter, Special, Tribute, and something from Wells.
On 7th March 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Old House at Dorking
Youngs pub with a modern 'distressed' style of decor which to be fair works rather well, though the boards and wall panelling would probably be nicer if left untinkered with. Clearly been knocked through at some point though evidence of the previous layout remains and there are number of quiet alcove areas. A number of dray pics on the walls and a nice old glass fronted cabinet containing a plethora of Youngs breweriana are of interest, along with a selection of board games. Clientele more upmarket than in some other nearby outlets (and so is the food offering) though notably vaping is allowed inside at the bar which was unexpected. Irritatingly bland muzak played throughout my stay. Rear garden is a bit of star - a nicely done two-tier patio with stylised beach hut seating/smoking shelters to the rear. Good selection on the pumps with Purity Gold (good shape) Robinsons Trooper and Adnams Ghostship on alongside Youngs Bitter. Have to admit that despite my initial misgivings this was a pleasant stop. I think things have moved on since Mr Bonser’s visit a couple of years ago – no sticky floorboards here now and I’d prioritise this one next time.
On 30th October 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Old House At Home
On West Street, in the middle of a street full of antiques shops, is The Old House at Home, a building that is believed to date back to the 14th century and which first became a pub in early Victorian times. The building is apparently two separate dwelling houses combined into one premises. It’s a Grade 2 listed timber framed building.
A Sky Sports banner draped across the frontage perhaps prepares us for what is a dreadful interior, which although it features a low beamed ceiling and some brown wood panelling, has nothing else that looks original. Furniture consists of a mixture of high long tables and bar stools and, in one corner, by a fireplace, a couple of sofas. There isn’t one chair or table that I would classify as traditional pub furniture. There’s a number of TV’s strategically placed, a jukebox prominently situated by the entrance and a bare boarded floor that was one of the stickiest I can recollect coming across in ages.
A notice on a blackboard by one of the TV’s proclaims that “last admission 11.30 pm , Friday and Saturday. ID required. Random searches may be carried out”. On the windows either side of the entrance, prominent A4 size notices tell us that the pub operates a zero tolerance drugs policy – for some unaccountable reason, I missed these on the way in, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone in. Despite being in a street full of antiques shops which seems to attract a steady flow of visitors, based on my visit, the pub is clearly not in the least bit interested in targeting this customer base, but instead making a play for the younger Friday / Saturday night Budweiser Bonehead crowd.
It’s a Wells and Youngs pub which was offering Ordinary and Special on my recent Saturday lunchtime visit. I can’t imagine there’s much beer trade here at all, but the Special was reasonable, by the standards of that Bedford brew nowadays.
When Youngs acquired this pub from Courage in 1989, we all thought it was an attractive and welcome addition to their tied estate. Nothing could be further from the truth now.
Take my advice and give this one a miss – try The Kings Arms across the road instead, or alternatively, visit the CAMRA GBG listed offie next door, Cobbetts.
On 21st November 2012
- rating: 3
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Old House At Home
Youngs pub - asked for a pint of the 'ordinary' bitter but was served a pint of Special. Not sure which I was charged for, but it tasted fine anyway. Otherwise a reasonable-looking pub, quite quite a range of events being organised by the look of the notice board.
On 17th March 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Old House At Home
Usual Youngs pub. Sells real ale, Youngs but had run out of ordinary. Has weekly Karaoke. Drop in if you are passing.
On 10th April 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]