The Cricketers, Downside, Cobham

I managed to pay a return visit to this yesterday, following a half-hour walk from Cobham Stoke d’Abernon station. They’ve apparently had a mini refurbishment, although the wonderful interior of the pub has gladly not been interfered with. There are no longer picnic benches outside, as they have been replaced by what I presume are all weather tables and chairs, placed on fake grass. It doesn’t look quite so nice at the front now (just my opinion of course), but I suppose the area is more reliable. They also advertise a new menu – I don’t know what all the differences are, but the steak and ale pie has gone up from £9.95 to £12.95 (the quality was OK though), and on the drinks side the Surrey Hills Shere Drop has gone up to £3.80 a pint from £3.30 a year ago. So, this has gone from an excellent country pub to an excellent but expensive country pub.

The Cricketers is a large country pub set in an enviable location right by, and looking out over, Downside Common. There are a number of picnic benches in the front of the pub, as well as a large Magnolia which I guess would look pretty impressive when in flower. A large car park is at the back of the pub, which is really a must for this sort of place with the train station a good 20 minutes walk away. Inside it’s a typical very low ceilinged one-room country pub, with eating and drinking areas meandering around the central bar (no good for the likes of Peter Crouch who would not be able to stand at the bar). Black painted beams are everywhere, the walls and ceilings are mainly that authentic looking nicotine colour, and upholstered benches, normal chairs and rustic designed varnished tables comprise the furnishings. The front of the bar counter is exposed brickwork and more beams, and there is a large fireplace at the side of the room, complete with brass coal box, more beams complete with horse brasses, and piles of logs. The fire was not alight during my visit (it was not really needed on a fairly nice sunny day) but it clearly had been recently judging by the ashes in the grate and the residual smell of burning logs. The Ales they had on were OSH; Pride; GKIPA; and Surrey Hills Shere Drop. The Shere Drop (at £3.30 a pint) was a superb pint in any case, but was made even better by us having built up a thirst during our walk from Stoke d’Arbenon Station. I think just about everyone other than my companion and I was eating, and they were doing a brisk trade at early lunchtime on a Friday. Sandwiches were around the £5 mark, with main courses around £9. As an example, the “homemade steak and ale pie, mixed vegetables and gravy” was £9.95. Worryingly there was no mention of chips with this meal, but I hope that this was just the result of an oversight on the menu. I saw Sunday lunch advertised, at £16.95 for two courses. I thought that this was a charming and authentic country pub. I intend to pay a return visit sometime, probably when the weather improves.