Latest favourites and wishlist by Wheely

The Angel - review by chrisp

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:08:01 +0000

The Angel - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.5

Location: 61-62 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8LE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 2876

Tags: relaxed, mature, standard pub food, beer garden, traditional pub, young and fun, friendly

A proper old pub that looks like it hasn't changed in 100 years - just how we like them. There is a traditional bar island surrounded by 3 or 4 small rooms and snugs, and a couple of old fireplaces for the winter. Being Sam Smiths, the beer is very cheap and attracts a friendly, ecclectic crowd. The only thing I would avoid is the food. Great place.

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Alwilliams26

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:21:59 +0000

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Alwilliams26

Rating: 4.4

Location: Castle Street, GU1 3TU, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 444750

Website: http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Groups/Guildford+Castle+and+Grounds.htm

Firstly, you have to congratulate Guildford Borough Council and their parks team for keeping the castle grounds not only immaculately clean, but for ensuring that the seasonal planting schemes give perpetual and dramatic colour throughout the seasons.
Based around the Norman keep, which now is a visitors centre in its own right, a series of paths and smaller green spaces are lined by numerous benches providing a great spot for a quick picnic with the kids. Some of the paths are at quite a gradient, but there's enough on the level to be able to avoid these if need be.
Don't forget that there is also lots of space around the adjacent bowling green, and a little walk further there's the peace and tranquility of Racks Close.
It's a must see for visitors, and a great spot of anyone who wants a tranquil break from Guildford's great shopping.

River Wey & Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf - review by furrypig

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:06:14 +0000

River Wey & Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf - review by furrypig

Rating: 4.0

Location: Navigations Office & Dapdune Wharf, GU1 4RR, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 561389

A great place to go on a sunny day and often there are special children's activites on so for example my children made bat boxes for Â£2 each! You can pay extra and take a guided trip on the small boat but it quickly gets booked up.

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Kaellya

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:00:49 +0000

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Kaellya

Rating: 4.4

Location: Castle Street, GU1 3TU, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 444750

Website: http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Groups/Guildford+Castle+and+Grounds.htm

Guildford Castle is a gorgeous place, especially on a sunny day. The grounds are well tended â¬ lots of flower beds and generally well maintained. Lots of patches of grass for lying on, and plenty of benches. There is plenty of meandering pathways through, up to a small bandstand/veranda at the top, and there was a giant outdoor chess board, complete with pieces, at one point and a green for boules, I think. Great place to go lie, picnic, eat, drink, sunbathe. Spent many happy hours here in the grounds. Never been inside the castle though, which is quite an oversight.

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by traveladdict

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:03:27 +0000

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by traveladdict

Rating: 4.4

Location: Castle Street, GU1 3TU, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 444750

Website: http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Groups/Guildford+Castle+and+Grounds.htm

guildford castle is a hidden gem - I never knew it existed until 3 years ago, despite having shopped in Guildford for a while.

It is a short distance walk form the high street and is a remarkable and magic place to visit.

Parking is best in the town centre, then walking.

Lots of grounds so take a picnic!

The Hurtwood Inn - review by mazphd

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:10:40 +0000

The Hurtwood Inn - review by mazphd

Rating: 4.5

Location: Walking Bottom, GU5 9RR, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01306 730851

Website: http://www.hurtwoodinnhotel.com

Walking Bottom. Who knew such a place existed?! And in a village called Peaslake too! Once over the hilarity of the name, you get a lot of grassy country at the Hurtwook Inn.

I was here for a wedding, and the surrounds of quintisential countryside setting made for the perfect back drop for the perfect day. Driving to Hurtwood you pass numerous 'too cute to be true' settings that could easily (and I am sure have) provided the back drop to many a Beeb Austen costume drama.

Some of the rooms are not as modern as one would want, but this is the country and a slower pace of life. Still new carpets and a repaint of an old damp patch on the ceiling of our room would not have gone amiss.

They want to feed you well at the Hurtwood, must be all that fresh air! So menu's include good thick breasts of chicken well seasoned. For us vegetarians there was the more unusual combination of a melon and sorbet starter, that was nice, but would have been better as a dessert. The vegetable tart main was a better dish!

Breakfast is the usual contintental toast and jams, with more exciting options of haddock and hollondaise, eggs, or 'full english' options. Don't expect anything as 'exotic' as soya milk though.

you need a good and filling breakfast as aside from the Hurtwood and one village shop there isn't much else 'here'. So the emphasis is on biking , hiking and running across the accompanying countryside. And you get a lot of country!

The perfect place for a wedding, and wonderful (despite being the only one) base camp for long walks and other more strenuous country activities. You might enjoy admiring Jasmine Cottage next door with the essential Surry hills chez res accompaniment of an e-type jag in the driveway, and setting for many a movie. Anyone spot Ms Marple?

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Aleman

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:15:31 +0000

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Aleman

Rating: 4.4

Location: Castle Street, GU1 3TU, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 444750

Website: http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Groups/Guildford+Castle+and+Grounds.htm

I don't know so much about the history of the Castle grounds but i do remember going there many times about 15 years ago when i was about 8 years old. Its a magical place. From the wonderful pond to the wonderful castle itself, also good for watching a spot of bowls too!

River Wey & Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf - review by Wheely

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:11:02 +0000

River Wey & Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.0

Location: Navigations Office & Dapdune Wharf, GU1 4RR, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 561389

I first took a boat on this river in about 1963 I think. Since then, at least once a year including the 7 day hire of a narrowboat. It surely was some adventure steaming from Farncombe Boat Yard to the River Thames and back !! My wife has only recently forgiven or forgotten this episode in our marriage ! However, on to more important matters. I've copied and edited a piece from their website for accuracy as follows:

Dapdune Wharf

This is a cargo barge and fully equipped wharf with associated working crafts in original wharf sheds. Located just off Woodbridge Road in Guildford. Well worth a visit for about 2 hours NB A National Trust site but relatively cheap admission prices to non-members.

And now having saved the best till last............

Farncombe Boat House (Pictured Above)
Catteshall Lock
Catteshall Road
Godalming
Surrey - GU7 1NH

Tel: 01483 421306
Fax: 01483 417862

email: enquire@farncombeboats.co.uk

4 miles south of Guildford but still on the River Wey Navigation. Our favourite this one, 3-4 hours of what my wife calls 'messing about on the river' followed by a nice lunch in Hectors Cafe makes for a good day out.

Tourists, also worth considering a walk from Millbrook in Guildford to Farncombe. This will take you past St Catherines old abbey and its beautiful golden sandbanks leading up from the river. Favourite pub on this walk for lunch or drink is The Manor Inn on the Guildford / Godalming road. Their garden goes right down to the river so you pass it on the towpath. However, best value for money is to park your car in Millbrook car park in Guildford, walk the towpath (3.5 miles) to Farncombe, have a drink / eat in the nearby Leathern Bottle pub and catch the bus back to Guildford.

Stansted Park - review by Wheely

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:42:47 +0000

Stansted Park - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.0

Location: Rowlands Castle, PO9 6DX, Rowlands Castle, United Kingdom

Phone: 023 9241 2265

Website: http://stanstedpark.co.uk/

Like old country mansions ? Well..this one will take your breath away. We visited it last August and still refer to it as one of our best visits to date. For accuracy, I copied and edited a small descriptive piece from their website.

Edwardian Elegance : The Mansion is presented to receive house guests who would have enjoyed the wonderful furnishings and paintings in a warm family atmosphere. Stansted Park has fine collections of portraits, bird paintings, historic tapestries, embroidery and fans, and many interesting historical items.

Upstairs Downstairs : The Servants' Quarters give a fascinating glimpse of life below stairs. From the Butler's Pantry to the vast Old Kitchen you can see how the servants lived and worked at the turn of the century. Everything needed to run the house is here from the account books to the copper pans and even some of the servant's uniforms.

Stansted House and The Chapel of St Paul are open from Easter Sunday until the end of September
Sundays & Mondays 1pm - 4pm
During July & August
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 1pm - 4pm

Admission:
Adults Â£6.00 Seniors & Students Â£5.00 Children Â£3.50 Family Ticket Â£15.00
Special Opening Times may apply during events - please check with us. Please telephone: 023 9241 2265 or email events@stanstedpark.co.uk

Tourists, they also have a particularly nice cafe. For smaller children who may not be interested in stately homes, they have a miniature railway. It's also popular with artists who like to paint - they tend to be found in and around the arboretum. Gardeners; you have just found the 'earthly' version of heaven in their Garden Centre - a wonderful array of flowers, shrubs, trees, pots and every other bit of 'green finger' paraphernalia you can imagine.

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Wheely

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:37:37 +0000

Guildford Castle and Grounds - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.4

Location: Castle Street, GU1 3TU, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01483 444750

Website: http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Groups/Guildford+Castle+and+Grounds.htm

Having grown up in and around Guildford, I've lost track of the number of times I (we) have visited this superb old castle and grounds. For accuracy of description, the following is an edited extract from their website:

Just a few minutes walk from Guildford High Street stands Guildford Castle tower keep. It's surrounded by beautiful gardens and was the subject of major conservation work in 2003, costing almost Â£3/4 million. Henry III made it one of the most luxurious royal residences in England but in later years the castle was allowed to fall into disrepair. The keep is open to the public at certain times and you can climb to the top for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside as well as entering into the first floor chamber for the first time in centuries!

Tourists, The stairs to the top is spiral, narrow and steep. Park up Pewley Hill for free parking but it's a steep walk back to your car ! Best eatery nearby is the Kings Head (pub grub) at the bottom of Castle Street adjoining Quarry Street. Best time to visit the gardens (free) is mid-year and take your camera !

The Angel - review by Wheely

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:33:04 +0000

The Angel - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.5

Location: 61-62 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8LE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 2876

I worked opposite this pub (St Giles) between 2002-04 and visited it many lunchtimes ! As said in previous reviews, a good solid Sam Smiths pub that I believe has just recently broken the Â£2 pint barrier ! Considering this pub is on the edge of Soho / Tottenmcourt Road / Oxford Street / Holborn, nothing to touch it for price. The pub itself is quite interesting with its three separate bars and a cute little courtyard area with seating. On the food side, pub-grub, well put together and excellent value for money. Customer base, thank God for those wonderful idiosyncratic and eccentric types that have survived to ensure that pubs like this continue. Tourists, perhaps this after a visit to the London Transport Museum ?

Highdown Hill - review by Wheely

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 07:20:57 +0000

Highdown Hill - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.0

Location: Littlehampton Road, BN12 6PF, Worthing, United Kingdom

One of our favourite beauty spots for about 3 hours leisure, exercise and something to eat overlooking the sea and South Downs.

Highdown Hill is a small hill 226 feet high that stands just north of Ferring on the West Sussex coast and is separated from the main bulk of the South Downs to the north. It has had much use in Prehistoric times with a settlement in the Bronze age, fortification in the Iron age, a Roman bath house and a Saxon cemetery, allegedly the burial place of the Saxon King Ã lla after the battle at Mount Badon with King Arthur in 516AD. The Fort lies near a crossroads of two ancient trackways.

The hill has four other attractions, Highdown Hotel, Highdown Gardens (chalk garden), the tomb of John Oliver who was a local miller and Highdown Tea Rooms. This tea room is on the Trusted Places site and has recently won an award for quality. Highdown Hotel is widely recognised as the best carvery locally based on a 2 for 1 deal.

Tourists, Highdown Hill is very popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It has ample free parking and toilets within the Chalk Garden area. Access to the hill by car is from the A259 on the east bound carriageway.

The Hurtwood Inn - review by Wheely

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:36:02 +0000

The Hurtwood Inn - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.5

Location: Walking Bottom, GU5 9RR, Guildford, United Kingdom

Phone: 01306 730851

Website: http://www.hurtwoodinnhotel.com

In the last 30 plus years I have visited this pub and restaurant on many occasions with relatives and friends. On every occasion we have been delighted with the food, service and reasonable prices in what can fairly be described as the Shangrila of Surrey. Tourists, located deep in the Surrey Hills, ideal for Guildford and visiting some outstanding villages. It's also very popular with that hardy breed known as hill-walkers who cover long distances on foot to reach here by late lunchtime ! For fuller information, click on their weblink above.

Thomas A'Becket - review by Wheely

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:01:59 +0000

Thomas A'Becket - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.0

Location: 146 Rectory Road, BN14 7PJ, Worthing, United Kingdom

Phone: 01903 266643

Website: www.thomasabecketpub.co.uk

This place has been on our agenda for some time so thought we would give it a try for their Valentine Special. One of my better decisions, superb choice and cooking standard.

We had the stuffed chicken and what a flavour ! As for the sweet....well...even I would walk on hot coals for that fresh fruit tart recipe ! On enquiry to the manager I was told that they had recently employed an accomplished ex military chef who has worked and cooked for most of our senior dignitaries all over the world. All I could say was, try and keep him as we're definitely not accustomed to such quality in this area. Tourists and visitors, I don't think this was a 'one-off' good experience on our part as the pub is immaculately clean, appears to have good competent staff, and superb (heated and television) smokers facilities.

The Spotted Cow - review by Wheely

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:00:09 +0000

The Spotted Cow - review by Wheely

Rating: 4.0

Location: High Street, BN16 4AW, Littlehampton, United Kingdom

Visited 4th Feb with my wife for a soup and sandwich lunch, superb quality at reasonable prices. By comparison to other eateries locally, this one appears to have put itself in a league of its own. Tourists, an interesting old village with some quaint if not slightly quirky architecture. The pub is not easy to find so it's best approached from the A259. PS it seemed very busy for a Monday lunchtime around noon, best to ring first.