Surrey


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where"><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45.jpg" alt="The Watermill in Dorking, Surrey" class="wp-image-48689" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Untitled-design-45-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s hard to miss <a href="https://www.thewatermill-dorking.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Watermill</a> which sits just outside Dorking on the Reigate Road, in the pretty village of Pixham. The sprawling 1930s pub &#8211; repainted a striking salmon pink during a nip and tuck a few years ago &#8211; sits at the base of Box Hill in the rolling Surrey Hills Area of Natural Beauty.</p>



<p>This dog-friendly country pub offers something a little different to your usual pub grub with grazing boards, a selection of stix and small plates that’d be at home in any swish city restaurant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/The-Watermill-Outside-Garden.jpeg" alt="The outside terrace at The Watermill pub in Dorking, Surrey" class="wp-image-48736" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/The-Watermill-Outside-Garden.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/The-Watermill-Outside-Garden-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/The-Watermill-Outside-Garden-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/The-Watermill-Outside-Garden-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/The-Watermill-Outside-Garden-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The garden terrace is easily the star of the show at The Watermill during the warmer months. It&#8217;s been thoughtfully designed with the British weather in mind &#8211; the wooden pergola is covered with a clear roof, and there&#8217;s comfy sofa-style seating plus a wood burning stove and heaters. Large woven lanterns hang from the beams and there are cushions and foliage aplenty. The view though, is what commands your attention, and if you want to be sure of a table on the terrace make sure you book. Just below the terrace, there&#8217;s a grassy area with picnic style table &#8211; a good spot if you&#8217;re coming with kids who want to stretch their legs a little.</p>



<p>Inside, there&#8217;s lots of uncluttered space and the laid-back country pub vibe continues with sofas and armchairs in velvet and leather, open fires and timber beams. Walls are in muted neutral tones, or covered in William Morris wallpaper. There&#8217;s a dining area, a bar area with bar tables and high stools, and upstairs there&#8217;s a private dining room. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-387.jpeg" alt="Stix dishes at The Watermill, Dorking" class="wp-image-49211" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-387.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-387-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-387-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-387-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-387-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-387-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The menu is versatile and interesting, and progressively changes through the seasons. It&#8217;s designed to offer choice, whether that&#8217;s a quick bite with a drink, tapas dining or a traditional three courses. Or, if you&#8217;re like me &#8211; you can mix and match. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-386.jpeg" alt="Stix dishes at The Watermill, Dorking" class="wp-image-49210" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-386.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-386-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-386-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-386-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-386-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-386-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Stix menu caught my eye, apparently for those moments when one flavour just isn&#8217;t enough. I ordered the Stix board &#8211; a selection of six Stix &#8211; which included crispy pork bites and apple caramel, charred halloumi with picked pear, chilli and lime king prawns, oyster mushrooms shish, pork and fennel sausage with apple caramel and padron peppers. Each comes on a wooden skewer, beautifully presented on a wooden board. What a great start! </p>



<p>If you&#8217;re after a more traditional starter, there&#8217;s also a choice of small plates plus sharing boards for two. </p>



<p>On a Sunday &#8211; the day I visited &#8211; you&#8217;ll find the traditional Sunday roasts with beef, pork belly, chicken and veggie haggis wellington, each served with roast potatoes, root veg, seasonal greens and what looked to be giant Yorkshire puds. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-399.jpeg" alt="Main meal at The Watermill, Dorking" class="wp-image-49213" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-399.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-399-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-399-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-399-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-399-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-399-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s also a main menu with seasonal offerings like Dressed Cromer crab, pan-fried sea bream and clam vongole among others. Mr M chose the Cromer crab and I had the sesame crusted tuna with pickled Asian slaw. Both were incredible choices and really lovely. The tuna was perfect &#8211; seared on the outside, pink inside &#8211; and his crab was rich and full of flavour. It comes with a boiled egg and truffle mayonnaise, and rosemary-salted fries. There&#8217;s also an extensive no-gluten menu.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-400.jpeg" alt="Main meal at The Watermill, Dorking" class="wp-image-49214" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-400.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-400-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-400-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-400-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-400-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-400-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Puddings &#8211; like the rest of the menu at The Watermill &#8211; are interesting and creative. I was tempted by the flaming baked alaska with vanilla sponge, praline ice cream and Italian meringue until I spotted the hefty 1,461 calorie count. Next time, won&#8217;t be so greedy with my starters and mains. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-409.jpeg" alt="Desserts at The Watermill, Dorking" class="wp-image-49215" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-409.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-409-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-409-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-409-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-409-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-409-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Instead, I chose the lemon curd parfait with blueberries, sherbet, vanilla cream and meringue. (Excellent choice!) He went for the peanut butter parfait with caramelised banana, candied pistachio and chocolate and sea salt ice cream. It looked divine. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>KID-FRIENDLY?&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Children are welcome here. There&#8217;s a dedicated kids menu with choices like cheeseburger and fries, pizza, risotto and roast chicken.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>AND DOGS, TOO?</strong></h2>



<p>Yes, dogs are very welcome here too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>DISABILITY ACCESS</strong></h2>



<p>There&#8217;s wheelchair access and a disabled loo on the ground floor. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OUT &amp; ABOUT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-421.jpeg" alt="The view of Box Hill from the terrace at The Watermill in Dorking" class="wp-image-49217" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-421.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-421-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-421-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-421-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-421-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Watermill-Dorking-421-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Stretch your legs with a walk up Box Hill, visit Denbies Wine Estate (just a couple of miles down the road). Or head into Dorking for a wander around the independent boutiques and antique shops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/The-Watermill-bar.jpg" alt="the bar at the watermill in dorking" class="wp-image-49020" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/The-Watermill-bar.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/The-Watermill-bar-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/The-Watermill-bar-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/The-Watermill-bar-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/The-Watermill-bar-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/The-Watermill-bar-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Sunday lunch, groups of friends who like shared feasts, long and lazy lunches spent grazing on large shared plates, date night, nights out with friends. If you want to be sure of a table on the terrace, make sure you book. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> If you&#8217;re not a fan of country pub vibes, this may not be for you. </p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Stix plates are from £4.50-£6 (or £27 for six); small plates are around £7.50; sharing boards are £22-£28.50 for two; Sunday roasts are £17-£22; mains are £15-£25. Desserts are from £8-£12.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.thewatermill-dorking.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Watermill</a>, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1NN. </em></strong><em><strong>Tel: <a href="tel:01306883248">01306 883248</a></strong></em></p>


Review: The Watermill, Dorking

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