The 11 Best Pubs in Surrey for 2026
From nationally awarded gastropubs to centuries-old coaching inns, Surrey's pub scene combines outstanding food with genuine village character and some of the finest countryside settings in England.
Award-Winning
The Running Horses
A 16th-century coaching inn that won the UK's top pub title in 2023, praised for top-quality food and drink, meticulous attention to detail, and first-class hospitality. Period features survive throughout, sitting at the base of Box Hill.
The Crown Inn
Dating back to the 14th century, The Crown nestles on the picture-perfect village green, oozing charm and history at every turn. Eight wonderful rooms range from period-style with four-poster beds to contemporary design, with fresh seasonal menus using local suppliers.
The Black Swan
A countryside pub full of rustic charm in the peaceful village of Ockham, offering a modern British menu crafted with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Cosmopolitan decor with open fires, a spacious garden, and an international wine list alongside real ales.
The Anchor
Michelin Guide-listed dining in a characterful 16th-century village pub. Modern British cooking with Steve Drake pedigree, a seasonal tasting menu, and a well-chosen wine list. The only pub in Surrey to feature consecutively in the Good Food Guide.
Historic Country Inns
The Stag on the River
A Grade II listed riverside inn originally built as a coaching house, combining rustic charm with contemporary comfort: exposed beams, crackling fires, and a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the River Wey. Seven boutique rooms available.
Gomshall Mill
A beautifully refurbished watermill turned village pub, with the original restored waterwheel as a central feature. The Grade II listed timber-framed building dates to the 17th century, with a mill on the site recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The Parrot Inn
A gorgeous 16th-century country pub overlooking the green, refurbished by Brunning and Price. Beamed interior with large flagstones, an impressive inglenook fireplace, and large gardens. Previously owned by Gary Brooker, lead singer of Procol Harum.
Boutique Inns with Rooms
Bel and the Dragon
A boutique country inn with individually styled en-suite rooms on the Surrey - Hampshire border, near the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Seasonal British dining, a celebrated garden, and a relaxed atmosphere in a beautifully restored Victorian building.
The Withies Inn
A 16th-century freehouse with luxury en-suite rooms, a first-class restaurant, and a fairytale garden. Independently run in the village of Compton, a short walk from Watts Gallery and the North Downs Way.
The Richard Onslow
A classic English village inn in the heart of Cranleigh with a friendly old bar and snug, elegant dining room, secluded courtyard, and ten characterful en-suite bedrooms featuring original fireplaces and ancient beams.
The Percy Arms
An elegant country pub and grillhouse serving modern British cuisine with a distinctive South African twist. Five luxurious en-suite bedrooms and in summer, South African barbecues in the riverside beer garden.
Surrey's Pub Heritage
Some of Surrey's pubs have been going for centuries. Gomshall Mill sits on a Domesday Book site from 1086. The Crown Inn in Chiddingfold has been serving since the 14th century. But it's not just history. The Running Horses in Mickleham, a 16th-century coaching inn at the foot of Box Hill, won National Pub & Bar of the Year in 2023 and took County Winner again in 2025. Gomshall Mill picked up Pub of the Year Gold in 2023 and holds a spot in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
The variety is good too. The Black Swan in Ockham and The Anchor in Ripley do proper gastropub cooking with seasonal, local ingredients. The Parrot Inn at Forest Green is a beamed 16th-century Brunning & Price pub looking out over the village green. The Percy Arms in Chilworth does something different entirely: South African-style grillhouse food with summer braais in the riverside beer garden. The Crown Inn dates to the 1300s. The Stag on the River is Grade II listed with original timber framing and fires going beside the River Wey.
Several of these pubs also have rooms. The Crown Inn, The Stag on the River, Bel and the Dragon in Churt, The Withies Inn in Compton, The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh and The Percy Arms all do en-suite accommodation, whether that's period rooms with four-poster beds or more modern set-ups. Most sit within the Surrey Hills AONB, along the North Downs Way or in the Tillingbourne Valley, so you're well placed for walking the next morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pub in Surrey?
The Running Horses in Mickleham is widely regarded as the best pub in Surrey. It won the National Pub & Bar of the Year award in 2023 and was named County Winner again in 2025, recognised for its top-quality food, meticulous attention to detail, and first-class hospitality.
Which Surrey pubs have been named Pub of the Year?
The Running Horses in Mickleham won the National Pub & Bar of the Year in 2023, the UK’s biggest pub award. Gomshall Mill won Pub of the Year Gold in 2023 and is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, recognising its outstanding real ale selection and heritage setting.
Which Surrey pubs have rooms to stay?
Six pubs on our list offer accommodation: The Crown Inn in Chiddingfold, The Stag on the River in Eashing, Bel and the Dragon in Churt, The Withies Inn in Compton, The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh, and The Percy Arms in Chilworth.
Are Surrey gastropubs good for Sunday lunch?
Yes, Surrey gastropubs are excellent for Sunday lunch. The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh does a particularly good Sunday roast, and The Black Swan in Ockham offers a superb modern British menu using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Which Surrey pubs are dog-friendly?
Most Surrey country pubs welcome dogs, particularly in bar areas and gardens. The Parrot Inn at Forest Green, Gomshall Mill, and The Stag on the River in Eashing are especially dog-friendly.
What is the oldest pub in Surrey?
The Crown Inn in Chiddingfold dates back to the 14th century, making it one of the oldest pubs in Surrey. Gomshall Mill has a site recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, though the current timber-framed building is 17th century.
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