Field Hill represents some kind of Holy Grail for cyclists.
However there’s one other good cause for visiting this a part of Surrey, 40 minutes or so from Central London: a correct previous pub that serves scrumptious nosh, with 5 charming bedrooms providing actual worth for cash.
The Working Horses, within the village of Mickleham, is owned by the Brakspear brewery firm, however don’t let that put you off. There’s one thing for everybody right here.
Come at a canter: The Working Horses appears like an previous pub, however has an understated sophistication
Courting again to the sixteenth century, the primary bar space, with its open hearth, Scrabble and Monopoly boards and framed images at a tilt, will please traditionalists who don’t have shares in Farrow & Ball, whereas the again half is given over to a extra formal eating room — with panelled partitions, portraits and cosy cubicles — that, I dare say, makes it a vacation spot restaurant for foodies.
As a result of the meals is nice, I eat within the bar space, however order from the restaurant: splendidly tender wooden pigeon Wellington, with scorching pickled pink cabbage to start out, adopted by baked salmon in a depraved brown shrimp and butter sauce.
I’m right here alone. One member of workers comes to examine my wooden pigeon and appears genuinely . ‘And what room are you in, sir?’ he asks.
‘Sandown,’ I inform him.
‘Sensible choice, if I could say so.’
Lodging ideally suited for slightly horseplay: Rooms are named after well-known racecourses, together with Ascot
It was the one one not taken, truly. However I prefer it rather a lot: French-style mattress, espresso machine, creaking floorboards, gray partitions, heavy responsibility towel rail, walk-in bathe, two sash home windows. All for £110 b&b.
Rooms are named after racecourses. There’s Ascot, Windsor, Epsom — no point out of Market Rasen or Bangor-on-Dee, I discover.
The pub was once referred to as The Chequers, however when two horses (Colonel and Cadland) crossed the road collectively within the 1828 Derby at close by Epsom, it modified its identify to The Working Horses, and the signature ale for ever extra has been referred to as the Useless Warmth Derby.
Breakfast is low-key. There are newspapers to learn, the espresso is powerful and my boiled eggs are cooked to perfection. We do these kind of locations remarkably properly these days.
