'Bull’, High Street, Limpsfield near Oxted. Wednesday 24 August 2016.
On my last evening of staying in Oxted I walked out to this village pub which was about 15 minutes away from my B&B but in the opposite direction of Oxted town centre.
The Bull is a 16th century community pub which was formerly a coaching inn. It is situated in the centre of the village, and is Grade II listed. There are three separate rooms, one of which is used for dining. Two real ales are available and food is available lunchtimes and evenings, Tuesday to Saturday. Sunday lunches are also available. On Saturdays, there is a Fruit & Veg market in the car park between 08.30am and 15:00. Sport is shown on large screens in the bar.
With it being the hottest week of the year, 89F (32C) during the day I sat with my pint of Greene King in the shade in the beer garden located at the rear of the pub. For my meal I had Calamari Tempura with a sweet chilli dip (£6) as a starter and for my main course ‘Signature’ cheese burger, beef patty with Applewood cheddar served in a brioche bun with deep fried onion rings, fries and a dressed salad, although this was quite good it was very over priced at £12 plus the cost of the salad.
A nice pub and well worth going to if you are in the area.
Photograph copyright: Ian 10B
Tags: ‘The Bull’, High Street, Limpsfield near Oxted
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'Crown Inn’, 53 High Street, Old Oxted, Oxted, Surrey.
Monday 22 August 2016
Dating from the 17th century, the Crown was extended in the 1800s when it also incorporated an old brewery. A woman, perhaps a former landlady, reputedly haunts the pub and a ghostly man has also been seen. There are bars on two levels, the lower one being more traditional and contains a log fire. The bars operate different hours, so check the other bar if the pub appears closed! The pub name comes from it being on the crown of a hill and the pub has a number of attractive features including different shaped windows and Victorian wooden panelling.
Four real ales are available and home-cooked food is served every day except Mondays; a speciality is fresh seafood.
On my visit it was one of the hottest weeks of the year (84F) and during the day I had travelled around Greater London quite a lot therefore even though it was a lovely evening I had my pint and meal sat inside the upper floor lounge rather than sitting out in the hot sunshine. I was the only person in the lounge, I drank a couple of pints of Harvey’s best bitter and for my meal I had sliced lamb rump with mashed potatoes and a selection of vegetables. The barmaid played a CD of Oasis Greatest Hits so I was quite happy.
The pub is family orientated with children welcome inside if under supervision. A number of board games can be played including chess, draughts, dominoes, Jenga and backgammon. Outside is a garden with a children's play area.
It is worth calling in the Crown Inn if you are in the area; however it’s a good 20 minutes’ walk from the railway station.
Photograph copyright: Ian 10B.
Tags: ‘The Crown Inn’ 53 High Street, Old Oxted, Oxted Crown Inn’ 53 High Street, Old Oxted, Oxted
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‘George Inn’, 52 High Street, Old Oxted, Oxted, Surrey. Monday 22 August 2016
This 500 year-old pub has been well refurbished throughout and is both elegant and contemporary.
There are four handpumps on the bar although only two are normally used, one for Hall & Woodhouse Badger with a guest beer on the other which is usually Tanglefoot or the Badger seasonal beer. On my visit only one handpump was in use and having paid £4.10 for a pint I certainly did not stay for second one.
To the left of the bar is the ‘Blue’ restaurant, which can be booked for functions, with some sofas for a pre meal drink and the room to the right is split by a real fire. This up-market and expensive pub is very food oriented with good quality meals served in the bar and restaurant every lunchtime and evening, and all day from Friday to Sunday. Steaks and fish are a feature.
The furniture is a mixture of good solid chairs and tables, and comfortable sofas, and the floors are bare wooden boards. Outside there is a decked area for drinking. Dogs are welcome in the bar area and major terrestrial sports may be shown.
Photograph copyright: Ian 10B.
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‘Hope’, 48 West Street, Carshalton, Surrey. Tuesday 30 July 2024
The ‘Hope’ is owned by its customers and totally free of tie, this community pub is 'by beer enthusiasts for beer enthusiasts'. It serves two regular ales and five rapidly changing guest ales. The main meal menu is available from noon until 14:45 although hot pot meals are served until 22:00.
It is a quiet pub with no televisions, fruit machines or piped music. There is a piano in the conservatory and from time to time there are live music and beer festivals. The function room is a heated marquee is in the beer garden at the rear of the pub. Traditional board games are very popular with the locals.
The pub is CAMRA's Greater London Pub of the Year for 2023, and has held that honour five times before; Sutton Pub of the Year 2024. Thankfully no one is allowed in under the age of 14 however it is dog friendly (at any age). My only negative comment regarding the customers was the constant very bad language from a group of around six middle age ‘Punks’ (male and female) who were sat in the beer garden.
The ‘Hope’ is located less than five minutes’ walk from the railway station and between five and ten minute’s walk from eight bus services. This is a must visit pub.
The above date was my first visit to this pub and hopefully I will return again, possibly in 2025. It will also feature in my top 10 English pubs visited during 2024
Photograph copyright: Ian 10B
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‘Old Bell’ 68 High Street, Old Oxted, Oxted, Surrey. Monday 22 August 2016.
This is a traditional pub dating from the 15th century, it was extended in 2002. It is furnished with traditional old world fittings and is now a comfortable pub with three log fires in the winter. Four real ales are available and meals are served either the lounge or the restaurant. There is a beer garden at the rear of the pub adjacent to the car park. A female ghost lights candles when the pub is closed.
I just had one pint here with my evening meal on my first night of three staying in Oxted. I had gammon, egg, pineapple, chips and peas also a seasonal dressed side salad to go with it, £10.48.
Worth calling in either for a pint or a meal.
Photograph copyright: Ian 10B.
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