Surrey


<p>Winter is all about crisp cold days, frosty walks, and the kind of expertly prepared triple cooked chips that only a really good gastropub can do (or pan-fried trout if you’re in a virtuous mood). Wash it down with a fabulous local ale or perfectly matched pinot and hey presto, you’re in gastropub heaven.</p>



<p>And so, with the timing perfection of an expertly cooked fillet steak, along comes <a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Estrella Damm</a> list of the country’s finest gastropubs. Two Surrey pubs made the top 100 &#8211; with a couple of pubs just a pip across neighbouring borders also making the grade. </p>



<p>There were a couple of glaring Surrey omissions in our opinion &#8211; not least last year&#8217;s &#8216;one to watch&#8217; <a href="https://thevictoriaoxshott.com/">The Victoria</a> in Oxshott plus <a href="https://thebailiwick.co.uk/">The Bailiwick</a> in Englefield Green and <a href="https://thedrummingsnipe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Drumming Snipe</a> in Mayford.</p>



<p>The top spot was taken by <a href="https://theunrulypig.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Unruly Pig</a> in Woodbridge Suffolk (again!) – the judges gushed about the warm and welcoming setting, an idyllic backdrop to a pub that plates up filling and well-crafted food full of wit and charisma. </p>



<p>But right now we’re starving and only have eyes for our local(ish) fab four. Grab a fork and dig in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bluebell-dockenfield-near-farnham-no-90"><a href="https://bluebell-dockenfield.com/">The Bluebell</a>, Dockenfield near Farnham (No. 90)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1135" height="838" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Bluebell-Dockenfield.jpeg" alt="Plates of food at The Bluebell in Dockenfield, near Farnham in Surrey." class="wp-image-51646" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Bluebell-Dockenfield.jpeg 1135w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Bluebell-Dockenfield-800x591.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Bluebell-Dockenfield-1000x738.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Bluebell-Dockenfield-400x295.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Bluebell-Dockenfield-768x567.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1135px) 100vw, 1135px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Credit: The Bluebell</em></figcaption></figure>



<p><strong>What they say:</strong> A family pub in the small village of Dockenfield near Farnham, The Bluebell offers freshly prepared menus made from locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, along with a selection of real ales, ciders and lagers. The main menu changes daily offering delicacies such as Venison Haunch with dauphinoise potatoes, Pheasant Breast wrapped in Serrano ham and Sweet Potato and Mushroom ‘Shepherd’s Pie.’</p>



<p><strong>What we say:</strong> The Bluebell has long been a favourite of locals and those from further afield who are willing to travel for the fantastic food, great value and exceptional customer service. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rambling-pig-ewell-no-96"><a href="https://rapsa.co.uk/rambling-pig/">The Rambling Pig</a>, Ewell (No. 96)</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/7/2024/01/The-Rambling-Pig-by-Rapsa-Ewell.jpeg" alt="Filipino Fusion food at The Rambling Pig gastropub in Ewell Village, Surrey." class="wp-image-51648" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Rambling-Pig-by-Rapsa-Ewell.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Rambling-Pig-by-Rapsa-Ewell-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Rambling-Pig-by-Rapsa-Ewell-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Rambling-Pig-by-Rapsa-Ewell-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Rambling-Pig-by-Rapsa-Ewell-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>What they say:</strong>  The pub has joined the ranks of Raspa, restaurant  that offers the Filipino food concept. It has brought its crowd favourites from its headquarters in Hoxton, London to Surrey. Guests can choose between sharing Filipino plates, the traditional Filipino Boodle Fight Feasts, Sunday roasts and there is also an on-site whole hog fire roast on the last Sunday of the month in the beer garden, which is also great for summer drinking. The pub hosts a main family restaurant, two private dining rooms as well as karaoke rooms.</p>



<p><strong>What we say:</strong> A hefty dose of Hoxton cool arrived in Ewell last summer bringing with it Filipino fusion food &#8211; and we couldn&#8217;t be happier! Food is fresh, and flavoursome &#8211; expect the likes of Jersey oysters with avocado, ginger, lime, vinegar and jalapeño patis, slow roasted lechon (pork belly) and peanut shrimp satay with eggplant, beans and pak choi. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-loch-amp-the-tyne-old-windsor-no-42"><a href="https://www.lochandtyne.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Loch &amp; The Tyne</a>, Old Windsor (No. 42)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/loch-tyne-food.jpg" alt="The Loch &amp; The Tyne, Old Windsor Berkshire pub" class="wp-image-60625" /></figure>



<p><strong>What they say:</strong>&nbsp;Adam Handling is a foodie force who has extended his brilliance into the pub world, opening The Loch &amp; The Tyne not too long ago. The venue is a pub and restaurant with rooms, with a luxury finish and décor that tells a story. Diners are presented with a good selection of menus, including lunch, tasting and a la carte.</p>



<p><strong>What we say:</strong> Adam Handling expanded outside London to open The Loch &amp; The Tyne in Old Windsor, and this is now his third year on the trot featuring on the list. The gastropub has a no waste ethos, with everything sourced locally or, ideally, grown in the raised beds at the back of the building. The food and service is all wow – plus it won best destination pub at the 2023 Muddy Berkshire Awards. Just saying.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-estrella-damm-s-sustainable-pub-of-the-year">&#8230; and Estrella Damm&#8217;s Sustainable Pub of the Year</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/Adam-Handling-at-Frog-by-AH-1-Credit-Jason-Alfred-Palmer-2.jpg" alt="Chef Adam Handling The Loch and The Tyne Old Windsor Berkshire" class="wp-image-51658" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Adam Handling of The Loch and The Tyne</figcaption></figure>



<p>Yep, not only did The Loch and The Tyne swoop the number 42 spot on the Top 50 list, but they were awarded the veryyy special accolade of Estrella Damm’s Sustainable Pub of the Year for a resounding commitment to their green ethos.</p>



<p><strong>What they say:</strong> The Loch &amp; the Tyne marries sustainability and luxury perfectly. The pub highlights the best of British produce with a focus on hyper-local sourcing – seasonal vegetables, flowers and herbs are all grown on site and food waste is also low thanks to an ethos of using every part of produce. Sustainability is at the core of everything they do, even down to the team who explain the provenance of produce when presenting dishes and drinks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-horse-guards-inn-tillington-near-petworth-no-78"><a href="http://thehorseguardsinn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Horse Guards Inn</a>, Tillington near Petworth (No. 78)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Horse-Guards-Inn-Petworth.jpg" alt="Food on a table in the garden at The Horse Guards Inn in Tillington, near Petworth, West Sussex." class="wp-image-51651" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Horse-Guards-Inn-Petworth.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Horse-Guards-Inn-Petworth-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Horse-Guards-Inn-Petworth-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Horse-Guards-Inn-Petworth-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/The-Horse-Guards-Inn-Petworth-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /></figure>



<p><strong>What they say:</strong> The relaxed, friendly and informal pub is designed with wooden tables and chairs, oak beams and stripped floorboards. The menu is seasonal with all food cooked to order and it changes everyday to fit in what can be sourced from local suppliers, from its vegetable patch or foraged from the wild hedgerows or seashores nearby. There are three en-suite country bedrooms on site that offer lovely views of the village and the South Downs.</p>



<p><strong>What we say:</strong> This 350-year old pub, tucked away in the sleepy village of Tillington, near Petworth, is one of the best-kept secrets in Sussex and you can even stay over at one of the chic country bedrooms if you want to explore the local area which includes pretty and historic Midhurst and the rolling South Downs National Park.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-little-further-but-still-worth-travelling-for-try-one-of-these-beauties"><strong>A little further but still worth travelling for &#8211; try one of these beauties…</strong></h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-berks">BERKS</h2>



<p><a href="http://thebeehivewhitewaltham.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Beehive</a>, White Waltham (No. 22)</p>



<p><a href="http://www.dewdropinnhurley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Dew Drop Inn</a>, Hurley (No. 44)</p>



<p><a href="https://thebelgianarms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Belgian Arms</a>, Holyport (No. 80)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.hindsheadbray.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hind’s Head</a>, Bray (No. 92)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kent">KENT</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.fordwicharms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fordwich Arms</a>, Canterbury (No. 4)</p>



<p><a href="http://thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sportsman</a>, Seasalter (No. 5)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.bridgearms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bridge Arms</a>, Canterbury (No. 15)</p>



<p><a href="https://thedog.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Dog</a>, Wingham (No. 16)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.thekentishhare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Kentish Hare</a>, Tunbridge Wells (No. 27)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BUCKS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.thehandandflowers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The&nbsp;Hand &amp; Flowers</a>, Marlow (No. 10)&nbsp;</p>



<p><a href="https://www.thecoachmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Coach</a>, Marlow (No. 21)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-west-london">SOUTH-WEST LONDON</h2>



<p><a href="https://harwoodarms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Harwood Arms</a>, Fulham (No. 12)</p>



<p><a href="https://brookhousefulham.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brook House</a>, Fulham (No. 71)</p>



<p><strong>See the full list of <a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/list/1-50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 50 Gastropubs here</a></strong>.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/cosy-pubs-winter-days-surrey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here for the cosiest pubs in Surrey</a>.</strong></p>


The UK’s best 100 gastropubs revealed

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