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Showcasing modern British dishes, The Squirrel evokes classic country inn charm. Chunky wood furnishings and squashy leather chairs are dotted through the dining room, and a tranquil al fresco garden is offered during summer.

Rich flavours features throughout The Squirrel menu, with dishes like bubble and squeak topped with a poached egg and crispy pancetta, or marinated pan-fried pigeon breast with toasted pine nuts and shallots. Luxurious sharing platters at The Squirrel restaurant include fresh mussels, or a juicy cut of Chateaubriand. Follow with mains of lamb Wellington with sweet potato mash, buttered rainbow chard and juniper berry jus or battered fresh haddock fillet with skin-on chips, tartare sauce and minted green peas.

A more informal ambience is offered at The Squirrel bar, with delicious sandwich fillings including Sussex roast beef with horseradish cream, or Atlantic prawns. The Squirrel is renowned for its smooth real ales sourced from breweries across the country, as well as a variety of international wines.

Nestled just outside the town of Goldalming, The Squirrel Hurtmore offers a child-friendly garden for safe and secure playtime.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

The Inn on the Green and the Green Rooms present a pretty picture, an ancient inn, on the old Roman road from the coast to Dorking, offering well-presented classic English food in surroundings that are forever England, with menus that keep pace with the seasons. It perpetuate all that is good about the village inn, without in any way inhibiting its reaction to change, where clam chowder could replace brown Windsor soup but the villagers' dogs are still welcome, and stories of local ghosts are regarded with interest rather than disdain.

Accommodation in the form of six comfortably furnished en suite rooms, the design and fitting out of which has obviously been carefully thought through from the customer's point of view, enables weekend breaks against a background of excellent food, and a welcoming base for business clients after a hard day in the area. The full English breakfast makes a challenging start to any day, and less demanding options are also available.

There is of course a knack to all this, and it's called good management, linked with the vision thing, and it starts in the car park from whence it pervades the whole place. The result is an inn that claims loyalties and affections in great quantity. Owners Paul and Gwyneth preside over this well run piece of human theatre, ensuring that good friendly service is always to hand, that fresh local produce gets priority in the kitchens, and the menu is always up to scratch.

The advent of talented chefs, creating what Paul refers to as 'a really fantastic team in the kitchen', heralded changes in the menus. However the modern trend towards simpler, more recognisable homemade food, made to order where possible, has not been forgotten, and a certain well-known TV chef would feel at home here. There is a strong emphasis on local produce and suppliers.

Starters are likely to be offering a soup of the day, minted lamb kofta kebab, and deep fried breaded brie served with cranberry compote and mixed leaf garnish.

Main courses are built round a chicken/fish/meat/vegetarian plan, starting with chicken fajitas that could have just dropped in from an upmarket cantina in El Paso. No British menu is complete without traditional fish and chips, served here battered and with traditional chips, peas and homemade tartare sauce.

Should you be feeling a touch fragile and undernourished go without hesitation for the New Zealand shoulder of lamb, or sesame seed crusted tuna steak served with crispy noodles, bok choi, soy sauce and wasabi.

Amongst the attractive and well presented desserts is the pear frangipane tart, not forgetting the traditional Eton mess meringue with strawberries, cream and strawberry coulis. A choice of some 17 wines offers sensible options and a heart-warming mark-up that makes contemplation of a second bottle virtually unavoidable.

The Green Rooms is perfect for parties of up to 76 people seated or buffets for 100 and everything can be tailored for your needs.Their attractive and colourful Website offers details of events at the inn, corporate bookings, attractions and accommodation and takes only a brief time to check out.

A local institution since the 1860s, The Inn at Maybury's claim to fame is being featured in H.G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds. While retaining its charming period exterior, complete with gabled roof, the interiors have been beautifully refurbished in a contemporary style encouraging guests to relax and unwind at leisure while they choose from a range of delicious modern British and Mediterranean dishes. Located in Woking, on the outskirts of Greater London, The Inn has excellent transport links and is easily accessible by rail, road and public transport.

An uncompromising quality of service makes all the difference at The Inn, the emphasis here is on giving guests a premium dining experience, so expect a warm welcome which extends to friendly attentive service. By no means a run of the mill 'gastropub', the experience is equally rewarding whether you've popped in for a quick lunch time snack or a full 3-course meal with the family, there is something for everybody at this excellent Surrey country pub. With plenty of outside seating for al fresco dining in warmer weather and a roaring log fire during the winter, the Inn at Maybury's inviting ambience is an immediate mood lifter.

The eye for quality extends to the menu which uses market fresh seasonal ingredients and offers customers plenty of variety. You could begin with a sticky sharing platter of pork ribs and watermelon, classic Mediterranean chicken and chorizo spiedini, or delicious lamb koftas and flatbreads. Alternatively opt for individual starters of button mushroom bourguignon with stirata Romana rustic bread or homemade pork rilette with pear, balsamic and date chutney and toast.

The à la carte offers a range of pizzas, pastas and salads which extend well beyond the usual margherita or lasagna. So, take your pick from a stone-baked piccante pizza topped with pepperoni, chorizo, tomato and jalapenos, mouthwatering macaroni with smoked haddock, spinach and Applewood Cheddar or salad of chicken with avocado, melon, pomegranate, feta, chilli, cilantro and lime aioli.

If succulent grilled fare is what you would like for your main course, then The Inn makes every effort to please with a selection which includes spit roast sweet cure gammon with Brussels sprout and parmesan gratin; fillet steak garni with hand-cut jenga chips and rib eye steak with horseradish and parsley butter and frites.

To give your weekend that special touch, The Inn lays out a splendid Sunday spread which includes enduring favourites such as roast rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding; garlic and rosemary studded leg of English lamb and English loin of pork with crackling. Come in, read the papers with a pint of your favourite beer at hand, or give yourself the perfect pick-up with a bloody Mary while you unwind in the company of family and friends.

To finish, consider tempting dessert of banoffee pie; warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate sauce; apple and blackcurrant crumble with vanilla custard or limoncello posset with langues de chat biscuits. Alternatively, you could choose the cheese plate with delicious Colliers Cheddar, camembert and gorgonzola.

Connoisseurs of fine wine will delight in the numerous wine tastings at The Inn. Sparkling Thursdays promise premium fizz at generous prices while the Rothschild Supper Club offers two courses and a bottle of premium Rothschild champagne for two people for just £40.

You might also want to consider visiting nearby sister pubs The Inn On The Lake or The Seahorse.

More information can be found on their Website.

The Minnow is one of those pubs that have surfaced on the mainstream of casual eating in the UK and are taking an increasing share of the market, evidenced by their growth in numbers and the popularity of what they have to offer.

Contemporary pubs such as these usually share a number of characteristics. An important feature is space, preferably a restaurant where you are comfortable, not over-awed, and not sharing elbow space with the next table, however sociable they may be. Good, too, to have a garden, optional al fresco eating out space, and by no means least a roomy and well stocked bar where you can actually get served without undue delay. If a pub offers all of these, and is in a good location, there is little reason in today's economic climate why it should not flourish. The Minnow provides ample evidence that this is true.

The ambience is very relaxed with its beautifully restored building and manicured gardens. The informal bar and dining areas have a décor where contemporary meets organic and melds into copper topped tables, real fires and wine prints on the walls.

The term 'gastropub' covers a multitude of blessings and it is possible to see influences of brasserie, bistro, restaurant and even café at work within the great gastro umbrella. So expect to find no one single cuisine, but a blend designed to provide something for everybody, no matter what their treat may be. To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, rustic breads with roast garlic, olives and virgin olive oil, or Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach and ricotta pâté with flatbreads.

Amongst the starters there is always freshly made soup; the like of potted duck, smoked chicken with plum, balsamic chutney and wholemeal toast; spiced crab with avocado, prawns, ginger and pink grapefruit and, water melon, prosciutto ham, feta and chilli ice cream are also to be found. You can also find crispy duck, mouli, hoisin, carrots, spring onions and plum sauce among others in the salad or 'leaves' section of the carte.

Pastas include linguini with tiger prawns, crab, chorizo, chilli, tomato and white wine, or the tagliatelle with slow cooked Bolognaise and parmesan. For the big event there is roast rump of lamb, sauce soubise, asparagus, pancetta and button onions.

Calves liver with tray baked potatoes, red onion, bacon and sage panagrattato is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. For hearty eaters there is freshly battered haddock with frites, tartare sauce and minted mushy peas. A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgium frites and mayo, and cabbage, leek and peas. Desserts are some of the best you'll encounter with apple, blackcurrant crumble and vanilla custard, and sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, and there is also a selection of cheeses to set the buffs alight.

The Minnow stocks a wide range of beers, both well-loved draught ales and bottled from further afield. The wine list covers plenty of territory from traditional clarets to Pinot Grigio, and champagne by the glass or bottle is always available. Service is cheerful, brisk and totally in keeping with the friendly nature of a good English gastropub.

Their informative Website will keep you up to date on changes in menu and forthcoming events.Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.

The Derby Arms is situated on the Epsom Downs, far away from the hustle and bustle of the busy one-way system, offering a lovely view of London and the well-known racecourse that hosts the famous Derby Race. A lot of thought and effort has gone into the complete redesign, creating an interior with log fires and steaming hot apple cider in the cold months, offset by beautifully landscaped decking for al fresco dining.
 
The pub is more like a modern interpretation of a traditional English pub. All the traditional pub classics such as spit chicken with lemon, garlic, thyme and chips, and rib eye steaks are there and a modern menu comprising of calves liver with tray baked potatoes, red onion, bacon and sage panagrattato has joined them. To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, antipasti of Italian meats with dolcelatte, stuffed peppers, marinated vegetables and warm stone-baked flatbreads or Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables with fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach and ricotta pâté with warm flatbreads.

Amongst the appetisers is freshly made soup; lamb koftas, mint yoghurt, kohlrabi, cumin and carrot salad, or gambas with garlic, rocket, aioli and rustic bread. Look, too, for scallops of the day. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer crispy duck, mouli, carrots, hoisin, spring onions, watercress and plum sauce, and for the seafood fiends some prawn, avocado, pecans, mango, bacon, orange and pomegranate vinaigrette is received with enthusiasm.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic margherita of pomodoro, mozzarella, oregano and basil, the rustica with roasted Mediterranean vegetables, goats' cheese and cherry tomatoes, or the piccante with pepperoni, chorizo, tomato and jalapeños.

The fish dishes for hearty eaters are well worth trying and choices include smoked haddock fishcakes with curry Hollandaise, mango, tomato, coriander and red onion salad, and freshly battered haddock with tartare sauce, minted mushy peas and chips. For the big event there is always a roast rump of lamb with sauce soubise, asparagus, pancetta, button onions and baby potatoes. The blackened cod fillet with egg noodles, pak choi, mango and chilli salsa is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. Pork Milanese with sage, lemon and breadcrumbs, tomato, rocket and red onion and salad baby potatoes is a popular choice too.

Their wine list of Old World classics and New World upstarts ensures there is plenty of choice for anyone. The beers are taken very seriously and so are the award winning cask ales - they have a range of continental lagers and speciality beers.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgium chips and mayo. For desserts choose between an apple, blackcurrant crumble and vanilla custard and, sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. There is also a selection of cheeses to set the buffs alight.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.

The Windmill is one of the time-honoured bastions of Windlesham's pub culture, dating back to 1892 when it was owned by a brewery in Staines. Even the location can't come better than this, with several attractions such as Legoland, Windsor Castle and Thorpe Park just a short drive away, this is an ideal base for those looking for a short getaway over the weekend. Its façade is a fine example of 18th century craftsmanship, and inside it manages to strike the right balance between homely and smart.

There is a laid-back, rustic feel to the décor and much thought has gone into the details: pastel shaded walls, large windows that allow a profusion of sunlight, wicker furniture and low-beamed ceilings. The bar is a cosy hideaway with an open fire, contemporary-chic mismatched furniture, great fabrics and colours and fascinating artefacts dotting the place. With the hum of happy diners, it's a perfect setting for a long lunch with friends or the family, or just about any occasion that warrants a celebration around food and drink.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, box baked Camembert with red onion jam and rustic bread and Greek mezze of taramasalata with red pepper hummus, tzatziki, feta and flatbreads.

Amongst the starters, there is freshly made soup, smoked mackerel pâté, seared pigeon breast, or a red onion tart. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer Persian chicken kebabs, fattoush salad, yoghurt and mint dressing, and for the seafood fiends some smoked trout, prawn, pancetta, creamy lemon dressing, watercress and spinach. Pastas include rigatoni, pork, veal and oregano meatballs with arrabiata sauce, and bucatini with tiger prawns, crab, chilli, tomato and parsley.

Flatbreads are supplied with an abundance of toppings such as caramelised onions, goats' cheese and dressed leaves; spit chicken, bacon, tomato and blue cheese, and chorizo, chilli, rocket, mozzarella and tomato.

For the big event, there is always a chicken scallopini or rib eye steak. The calves' liver with pancetta mash, crispy onions and Marsala is worth trying too. The classic burger, which has risen from the confines of fast food chains, carves a niche for itself on the menu and comes with onion, gherkin, mustard mayo, cheese and bacon. For hearty eaters there is a five spice duck confit, or lamb rack with a spiced dukkah crust.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgian frites and mayo, and cabbage, leeks and peas. Desserts are some of the best you?ll encounter with apple and frangipane gallette and Cognac ice cream, and there is also a selection of local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

Their wine list contains well-known favourites, alongside little numbers from around the world.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website.

Restaurant Manager Bernardo takes great delight in presenting a wide ranging menu of traditional Italian cooking in the rustic surroundings of a 16th century farmhouse, itself built from the remaining timbers of a 16th century trading ship. Seldom can there have been such a pleasing combination of skills, well summed by David Billington in Hello magazine, "La Capanna must be the prettiest interior of any restaurant I have ever dined in".

To make the experience even more pleasing there is a choice of four places in which to eat, each with its own appeal. First the Dining Room, with its high ceiling and an art collection of note, then the Conservatory which has a slightly more modern look and is full of natural light.

Thirdly you have the Minstrel Gallery, which sits above the main dining area, and is perfect for a private family engagement. Finally you have the Italian Garden, perfect for those warm summer evenings with its wonderful array of wild life calling the garden 'home' and the beautiful vine nestling in the corner, takes you back to a Tuscan home.

The kitchen team works on three main menus, the set lunch menu, the Sunday lunch and the à la carte, described here. Start with antipasto La Capanna which is a selection of seafood specialities, or seared scallops with pickled beetroot and a sweetcorn buerre noisette.

Seasonal house specialities include seafood salad with sun blushed tomatoes, chilli, garlic and olive oil, and English asparagus wrapped in Parma ham and served with Parmesan cheese. The imaginative pasta selection includes tiger prawn spaghettini chilli garlic, and confit duck ravioli with a Jerusalem artichoke velouté.

Like so many Italian restaurants the emphasis on fish is marked and a grilled Dover sole arrives with seasonal vegetables and roasted garlic potatoes, while filet of poached halibut is accompanied by olive oil, withered spinach, caviar and beurre blanc. Fillet of beef with fresh sauté spinach and gratin potato, or rack of lamb with pea purée, baby carrots, fondant potato and a rosemary and balsamic jus says it for the carnivores.

The selection of desserts follow the Italian fashion with richness and extravagance that rounds the occasion off in style that leaves your enjoyment in a state of perfection. Choose from a selection which includes tiramisu with Tia Maria, blueberry cheesecake with honeycomb and blueberry sorbet or dark chocolate fondant with raspberries. There is also a fine board of Italian cheeses served with grapes, wheat crackers and walnut and raisin bread.

The wine list is designed to suit all pockets with a fine array of Italian regional wines, complimented by an international range of quality bins professionally collected together.

Musical evenings of a very high standard are frequent occurrences at La Capannna, usually taking the form of an evening of sumptuous food and quality entertainment.

For further details, do consult their comprehensive Website.

A stylish contemporary pub in the leafy London suburb of Richmond, One Kew Road serves modern British fare with a Mediterranean touch. Stunning surroundings, stylish interiors and a great location, just a short walk from Kew Gardens, make it just the sort of approachable place that's equally popular with locals and first-time visitors.
 
Spread over two floors, the ground floor is a sleek bar area with welcoming sofas, quirkily rustic benches complete with faux fur throws and hessian cushions. Upstairs you'll find a slightly more formal restaurant which offers a wide ranging, seasonally changing menu where delicious British classics nestle alongside continental favourites such as pizzas, pasta and salads. A sharing plate of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach, ricotta pâté and flatbreads is ideal for convivial dining. If you prefer individual starters, try smoked salmon with pomegranate molasses, fennel and micro herb salad.

The aforementioned pasta and pizza selection adds a breezy Mediterranean touch to the à la carte and you can choose from linguini with tiger prawns, crab and chorizo; orzo risotto with courgette, peas, feta, mint and pangrattato and stone baked pizzas with topping of forest mushrooms with mozzarella, spinach, raisins and truffle oil. A char grilled chicken salad with courgette, fennel, apple, asparagus, hazelnut and balsamic dressing could, similarly, do the trick.

 One Kew Road's mains selection is as substantial as it is diverse, ranging from salmon and caper fishcakes; duck confit with honey and chilli to rib eye steak with rocket, horseradish and smoked salt frites. The great British Sunday roast is an institution in itself, having evolved for a century or more. Sumptuous is the word that comes to mind to describe delectable classics of roast rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding and gravy or English loin of pork with crackling, caramelised apple sauce and sage stuffing, all on offer at One Kew Road.

The smart and well-lit bar with stylish seating and impressive décor lends itself to an entertaining evening. Customers can order an aperitif; Martini Blush or Vodka and Mediterranean tonic, to get into the mood and relax. Expertly maintained cask ales, bottled beers and a fine selection of Mediterranean whites and reds complement the food perfectly. Digestifs such as The King's Dram and Johnnie Walker Gold, frozen and sprinkled with the finest Columbian chocolate, are perfect to round off the evening.

Open Mondays to Saturdays from 8am onwards, One Kew Road serves a good breakfast too. Begin the day, heartily, with a full English breakfast or other choices such as best back bacon sandwich on bloomer or granary bread. Afternoon tea with fruit scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam, muffins and crumpets adds a decadent touch to your day.

Looking for a similar experience at a different venue? One Kew Road's sister pubs ? The Albany in Thames Ditton and The Harts Boatyard in Surbiton, promise an equally enjoyable experience too.

More information can be found on their Website.

The Tudor Rose located in Coulsdon, near Croydon, is the sort of place that gives gastropubs a good name. With its welcoming and well presented exterior as an immediate invitation, inside it is a delight of carefully chosen colours that stroke the psyche of its customers and create the relaxation and pleasure that go with good taste and hands on management.

Plenty of wood and leather creates warmth and luxury, and nothing is neglected, be it tasteful menu holders or well balanced lighting. This is a gastropub that is created for the convenience and enjoyment of its guests as a primary objective.

With a menu that is predominantly modern British, a Mediterranean influence can also be detected , and all dishes are seasonally motivated. Choices are impressive and a large range carries the conviction that is not always a part of extensive menus.

The Tuidor Rose is all about sociability and sharing plates are an indispensable aid in boosting this amiable quality; look for the antipasti of stuffed peppers, salamis, rocket, green chillies and warm warm flatbread as you consider the menu, sip a cocktail and generally unwind.

Warm Mediterranean trends exert their presence with asparagus, Serrano ham and crispy poached egg, and Goan chicken and bacon skewers with onion and coconut salad is superb. A stilton and spiced pear tart with rocket, red wine and hazelnut vinaigrette, or duck rillette with rhubarb and ginger chutney and wholemeal toast are early indications of skills at work in the kitchen.

Fancy a stonebaked pizza? No problem, choose from six options that includes smoked salmon, or a gamberetti full of the flavour of the sea. Nor are salads forgotten, there are choices and seared beef with beetroot, orange, fresh horseradish and watercress with shaved parmesan can be taken either as a starter or main course, as can many other pre-dishes.

Let's assume you bypass the linguini, one of four selections from the pasta list, before moving on to a truly generous array of main dishes where lamb rack with chorizo, peas, bacon, spinach and minted potatoes competes with roasted salmon with cauliflower and coriander fritter and pineapple salsa, beer battered haddock and River Exe mussels and clams marinière amongst others. An impressive harvest of side dishes make the most of field and garden.

A galaxy of puddings goes for the jugular with sticky toffee pudding, a spiced apple caramel crumble, or a plum and frangipane tart with lemon mascarpone; farmhouse cheeses abound and there's a Warre?s Optima 10 years old tawny port to go with it, if the spirit moves that way.

The Great British Roast makes an impressive appearance on Sundays, accompanied by log fires in season, Sunday newspapers, Bloody Marys and leather sofas. Just bliss. However the weekend starts early at The George - Thursday to be precise, when all day they offer crisp, fresh Prosecco and house champagne at unbelievably bargain prices. Not for nothing is it referred to as Sparkling Thursday.

On weekdays a great value prix fixe menu is available lunch and early evening until 7pm, Monday to Friday, with a choice of two or three courses.

The wine list has been selected to inspire and excites even the most experienced topers. Try the Chassagne Montrachet, Premier Cru Burgundy or a rather striking Bodegas VQ Merlot Rose, from Spain.

Should you not be convinced by now that we are impressed with The Tudor Rose, check on their Website for further information - but there's nothing like firsthand experience. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.

The village of Tadworth, on the southeast slope of Epsom Downs, is home to The Blue Anchor, a friendly pub that is perfectly poised between being elegant yet unpretentious. Thanks to a thoughtful restoration job, the refuge is more modern than previous incarnations but still offers many cosy areas that are perfect to snuggle up in.

You could visit The Blue Anchor for special occasions that demand good food and drink, or simply to give life to thoughts of long lunches, lazy afternoons and general indulgence. A little extra style has been thrown in by giving the bar a shabby chic interior of mismatched furniture, an open fire, leather sofas, and comfortable deep tub chairs that are great to sink into and lose all sense of time. Chunky boothed tables and plush brown and black leather chairs complement the dining area's white walls and wooden floors.

The menu is simple but up-to-the-minute with lots of comfort appeal and offers homely dishes like steaks and pasta as well as ones with more contemporary, global touches, all delivered by friendly and cheerful staff. To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, box baked Camembert with red onion jam and rustic bread and Greek mezze of taramasalata with red pepper hummus, tzatziki, feta and flatbreads.

Amongst the starters, there is freshly made soup, smoked mackerel pâté, seared pigeon breast, or a red onion tart. Flat breads are baked fresh in the stone oven and accompanied by chorizo, chilli, mozzarella, rocket and tomato, or for the seafood enthusiasts some crayfish, smoked salmon, garlic, parsley and crème fraîche among other choices.

The pasta and rotisserie for hearty eaters are worth trying and include rigatoni, pork, veal and oregano meatballs with arrabiata sauce, and spit chicken with roast garlic, lemon, thyme, aioli and frites. If you drop in feeling a fish event coming on the smoked salmon and prawn fishcakes with baby spinach, hollandaise and potato of the day can be hard to ignore.

The classic burger with onion, gherkin, mustard mayo, cheese and bacon is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. Other choices encompass five spice duck confit, and lamb rack with a spiced dukkah crust, char-grilled stuffed peppers and minted potatoes.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes Belgian frites and mayo, and the Anchor house salad. Desserts are some of the best you'll encounter with apple and frangipane gallette and Cognac ice cream, and there is also a selection of local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website.