A proper village pub sitting right on Claygate's green, the Hare & Hounds is the kind of place that still feels like it belongs to the community. The Sunday roast is the headline act — beef, chicken, or lamb with all the trimmings for around a tenner — and the beer garden is one of the best sun-traps in this corner of Surrey. Dogs, kids, and regulars all get the same warm welcome.
A genuine village pub on Claygate Green with a cracking Sunday roast for a tenner and a beer garden that's one of Surrey's best sun-traps.
Call ahead to confirm your booking if you're coming with a group — service can struggle when it gets packed on weekends.
A proper village pub with a Sunday roast worth queuing for
If you're in Claygate on a Sunday, the Hare & Hounds is where you want to be. Their Sunday roast is the real draw — roast beef, chicken, or lamb with all the trimmings for a tenner, and it's genuinely good value for the area. The beer garden is a proper sun-trap in summer and one of the best outdoor spaces you'll find in this part of Surrey. Dogs are welcome, kids are welcome, and it has that rare village-pub feel where the staff actually seem to know the regulars.
The food menu goes beyond standard pub grub — there's a French influence running through it, and the pub classics like the cheeseburger and scampi are solid, if not spectacular. Gluten-free options are clearly marked, which is a nice touch. They've also got a private dining room if you're planning something bigger.
It's not flawless. When it gets busy — and it does get busy, especially on weekends — the service can struggle. One reviewer noted that for a group of 12, there was no table setup and the welcome was underwhelming. If you're going with a big party, definitely call ahead and confirm the booking. For smaller groups or a casual pint in the garden though, it's a cracking local that earns its loyal following.