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Beer of the Week (w/e 14th April 2024) with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Graham Coombs
Submitted on Friday, 1st November 2019
With picture contributions to 5136 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (8 more images)
Detail Pages
The Sportsman, Tadworth
Mogador
Postal town: Tadworth
KT20 7ES
Served areas
Reviews of The Sportsman (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Sportsman
A good country pub, not quite unspoilt with its emphasis on food but about as close as you are likely to get in the area. A stone-floored bar with a carpeted area to one side, a high-tabled room to the other leading through to a dining room behind, all in a tasteful green wood-panelled colour scheme. Outside are a mass of picnic benches fronting the adjoining woodlands. Popular with locals, walkers and dogs and still serving good solid food. Beerwise, on handpump were TT Landlord, Youngs Original, Old Speckled Hen and Greene King St Edmunds. The Landlord was extremely drinkable, if a little cold.
On 29th October 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Sportsman
Repaid a visit after an absence of over 20 years,and glad to report that it still has that feel of a ramblers retreat,especially in the winter.Many people walk ,or even ride,over the downs to get here and muddy boots fill the lobbies to both entrances,although boots and dogs are allowed inside except in the recently extended restaurant.It's popular with families so expect small children to be in evidence throughout the pub and in the extensive seating areas outside.
The best part of the pub is the flagstoned area in front of the handpumps of the L shaped bar with a real fire blasting out much need warmth.To the left there is a raised section with a wood floor and quite basic wooden furniture,but well used by people looking to stock up on a hearty meal.The restaurant itself doesnt fit with the rest of the pub,with dull modern furniture and an antiseptic feel.The low ceilings,windows and open portico to the front all show the age of the building.
The food menu is long on burgers,with a wide choice of chiabattas and baked spuds with an Xmas menu offering more hearty dishes including game .My wild boar sausages and mash did appear properly cooked rather than food service fodder.
The real ale selection was a let down with the four handpumps serving Doom Bar and "Youngs "Bitter as regulars and guests on my trip of Brains I See Santa and GK Rockin' Rudolph (in poor shape and hiding behind the Hardy and Hanson's brand name).How the local CAMRA branch can award this pub a place in the 2015 GBG with that kind of dull ale line up is deeply troubling.
The location is the best feature of the pub,but beyond that it doesn't offer enough for me to warrant another visit.
On 20th December 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Davies left this review about The Sportsman
It remains much the same as when I wrote the account below in 2011, except that the six quid ciabatta is nearer seven. By all means go there for the location but the sanitized interior saps the moral. There are a couple of better option within hailing distance.
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Those walkers, riders and cyclists who remember this ancient gem of a pub may wish to avert their eyes if they return here after a few years absence. Yes the building is much the same, a 16th century former royal hunting lodge on the edge of Walton Heath; but the cosy, slightly ramshackle pubiness that appealed so much has gone. It's all set up pretty much as a restaurant now, all dark wood dining tables and chairs making it feel cold and uninviting and completely without character. However all is not lost, it's still a lovely spot in summer with a verandah and tables out the front overlooking the common and woods.
The beer is good, with a couple of the usual suspects supplemented by a couple of local brews from somewhere like Pilgrim or Hogs Back. It remains a fine destination for walkers and cyclists but they might well be forgiven for bringing their own sandwiches: this is Surrey heartland and the closest you'll get here is a six quid ciabatta. One day the catering trade's fad for ciabattas will pass and we can have normal sandwiches again. It's also right by the Reigate turn on the M25 and so makes an easy stop.
On 14th January 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]
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- Official site of The Sportsman - www.thesportsmanmogador.com
- Facebook page of The Sportsman - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Sportsman - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 06 August 2013 by Nick Davies
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Car Park : Yes last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 20 December 2014 by Bucking Fastard
- Darts : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Jukebox : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Karaoke : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Live Music : Yes last updated 06 August 2013 by Nick Davies
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Pinball : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Pool Table : No last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
- WiFi : Yes last updated 21 July 2013 by Nick Davies
