Best Sunday Roast

The Running Horses

Surrey, Mickleham - Modern European - Pub with rooms - ££

A proper English country pub with all-round appeal

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

The pub’s name references the Derby, which has been run for centuries up on Epsom Downs racecourse, so it's no surprise that the interior of this pleasingly spruced-up, 16th-century coaching house is stuffed with memorabilia – our dining booth featured a fascinating display of race day badges. An old-school bar at the front is regularly filled with families and their dogs, while the separate restaurant area is lit by a skylight that illuminates the dark wood surfaces and eclectic furniture. Pub classics such as sausage rolls with Dorking sauce, homemade pies, rare-breed steaks (cooked ‘nicely pink’) are balanced by a roster of more ambitious dishes. A fistful of tapas-style small plates double as starters (Dingley Dell charcuterie, burrata and roast pumpkin with crispy buckwheat drizzled with hot honey), while mains hop around the globe – from comforting slow-cooked lamb shank with chive mash and roasted heritage carrots to five-spice duck breast with che...

The pub’s name references the Derby, which has been run for centuries up on Epsom Downs racecourse, so it's no surprise that the interior of this pleasingly spruced-up, 16th-century coaching house is stuffed with memorabilia – our dining booth featured a fascinating display of race day badges. An old-school bar at the front is regularly filled with families and their dogs, while the separate restaurant area is lit by a skylight that illuminates the dark wood surfaces and eclectic furniture.

Pub classics such as sausage rolls with Dorking sauce, homemade pies, rare-breed steaks (cooked ‘nicely pink’) are balanced by a roster of more ambitious dishes. A fistful of tapas-style small plates double as starters (Dingley Dell charcuterie, burrata and roast pumpkin with crispy buckwheat drizzled with hot honey), while mains hop around the globe – from comforting slow-cooked lamb shank with chive mash and roasted heritage carrots to five-spice duck breast with cherry gel or corn-fed chicken leg presented as a confit alongside girolles, broad beans and fino sherry sauce.

On Sundays, the chef brings it all back home with a trio of traditional roasts served generously with ‘epic Yorkshires’ and plenty of trimmings – the cauliflower cheese is an outright winner. Desserts keep it homely too, with the likes of apple and blackberry crumble or sticky toffee pudding often showing up on the menu. Service gets full marks all round, as does the drinks list – whether your preference is for locally brewed ale, reasonably priced wine or a zesty cocktail.

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VENUE DETAILS

Old London Road
Mickleham
Surrey
RH5 6DUGB

01372 388422

Make a reservation

OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation, Private dining room, Separate bar, Family friendly, Dog friendly, Credit card required

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