Spencer's guide to - WOKING PUBS

If you actually like shiney formularific chain-pubs, then Woking town centre and in particular Chertsey Road is just the place for you (at least at the Wetherspoons you don't have to pay too much for the privilege). Here's my take on every one of the borough's pubs, starting off with a summary of the centre's offerings...

Proof that it is possible for a pub in a perfect location to be crap. This over-exploited monstrosity is OK on a sunny afternoon, as long as its not the weekend when (inexplicably) it becomes packed to the gunnells.

Ancient open-beamed pub with oodles of character. Does a nice Sunday lunch too.

Pretty much exactly as you would expect from its exterior appearance...

Friendly local's pub, with punters tending toward the older generation. Has a quiz with free nibbles ! Attaced Il Nido italian restaurant.

Possibly the best setting within walking distance of the centre; large character pub which has given-up trying to hide its Beefeater ownership. On a residential road this place would be distinctly average, but large garden overlooking the canal makes it a popular choice.

Old-fashioned hotel pub at the station consisting of small (and smokey) main bar, separate games room and comfy lounge. Not very welcoming in the past, new management has worked wonders, even providing in-house Indian Restaurant !

Scruffy looking split-bar belies friendly service and wholeseome food.

This pub has a real welcoming rural feel to it. Strictly speaking it's outside the borough borders, but it is mentioned anyway as it's worth a trip.

Re-decorated not so long ago, which was a good thing - although one can only hope that brown paint was on special offer since there's no other explanation for it. Cheap food, not worth travelling to.

Just out of the main village and sat facing the green this cosy pub makes a pleasant place to spend a few hours. Has a restaurant, but its the 17th century pub that makes the place. Jazz on Mondays. On the expensive side.

String contender for the worst pub in Woking. All the warning signs are there; Courage owned, run-down, sports oriented, unfriendly local's pub.

More down to earth of the two Horsell village pubs, cheaper but less refined/pretentious. Has an old fashioned split Saloon/Public bar which the new owners have made more welcoming than past incarnations.

Gem of a location on Burrow Hill Green. The recently renovated exterior suggests trendy gastropub, but thankfully inside is cosy and welcoming.

Looks reasonable from the outside but, trust me, is not worth stepping side. This pub appears to have been surgically engineered to make you experience maximum discomfort as you walk across the open rectangle from the door at one end to the characterless bar at the other.

Tiny bar always playing host to a good selection of wines and beers. Friendly unpretentious staff, much less smokey than when it was The Knap, but food not what it could be.
CAMRA Commended.

The ratio of bar space to eating space gives away the real intention of this branch of the Vintage Inns chain. The character is manufactured, but without being tacky and the food is normally dependable, if not exciting.

Large middle-of-nowhere pub, ordinary looking on the outside, but an expensive gastropub on the inside. Beer garden is nice in summer.

Recently moved up-market branch of the Chef & Brewer chain. A couple of decent beers on tap and a tasty (if a tad pricey) menu make it worthy of a visit.

Looks dubious from the outside, but is actually surprisingly cosy and welcoming inside. Eclectic mix of punters in the small bar.

Not quite as nice spot as you'd expect for a canal-side pub, but still worth a visit. Has a pretty expansive menu.

Luxurious gastropub targeting well-to-do Sutton Greeners, expensive but still worth the trek.

Tricky to find pub facing the common. Four guest ales earnt it a
CAMRA Commendation. which in itself justifies a visit. Has a (very hard) quiz night.

Large and not especially welcoming local's pub near the Lion Retail Park

On the main road between East and West Byfleet, this pub is friendlier than it appears from the outside and serves up decent portions of traditionl pub grub.

A very ordinary local's pub. While not unwelcoming, there's not really much to entice the casual visitor in.

Never empty village pub with attached restaurant. Slightly snobby attitude extends to fancy menu that doesn't really live up to the price.

Large football-oriented local's pub. Can be unwelcoming.

St. Johns village's only pub. As the name suggests, this pub is near the canal, though you'd never find it from there without knowing where to look. Good value bar food.

One of a rare breed of Courage pubs that are actually nice. Small friendly affair, used to be THE place for Sunday lunch after a big night out, but new chef is turning out more predictable fair now.

Popular low-ceilinged pub in the middle-of-nowhere. Worth a trip for a quiet drink but food is better elsewhere. Has a large garden out the back.

Isolated pub on the A320 toward the motorway. Formerly the Bleak House (and Woking's most established music venue), but now rennovated as an up-market bar/restaurant. Good base for walks around the common (as long as you change your shoes after!)

Large independant open-plan pub. Previous owners bravely attempted an up-market French Brasserie-style internal restaurant. Now run by a more down to earth Ulsterman, but food is only average as a result.

Former venue for the Indiana embedded restaurant, this quaint pub in the centre of Chobham is still a decent place to grab a drink. Small bar, so seating not guaranteed.

Uninspiring family-oriented food pub near Wickes. Not worth travelling to.

Slightly odd pub in well-to-do Woodham. An early adopter of the no-smoking club, it has the potential to be nice but bright and unimaginative interior hasn't unlocked it yet.

Pretty nice outlook for a pub so close to the town centre. Sister pub of the Sovereigns in the Ember Inns chain, but hasn't had as much money lavished on it. Still it's a whole lot better than it used to be and an easy escape from the hordes in the town centre.

Previously a typical Vintage Inn (and called the Moorhen), now a very up-market food pub - lots of leather, wood and plate glass. Despite the gloss, prices aren't much above the competition and the staff don't seem to have too many pretentions. Not very veggie-friendly.

A typical example of the Harvester recipe - does what it says on the tin I guess (though the Otter at Ottershaw is better).