‘We’re quite like a motel,’ says Gerry, proprietor of The Inn West Finish close to Woking, Surrey, after I name to make the reserving. ‘However we don’t prefer to name it that, as a result of we’re fairly sensible.’
A wise motel, then. Really it’s a conventional pub, carried out up tastefully with 12 ground-floor rooms constructed prior to now few months on the again, trying like a secure block, full with a mini dovecot climate vane and clock.
Every room is modelled after ‘one thing poignant’ within the lives of Gerry and his spouse Ann.
Cosy: The Inn West Finish is a conventional pub with 12 ground-floor rooms and nice worth meals
I’m in Twelve Oaks, which is the title of a close-by farm the place this charming couple had been married. It’s a twin, designed with the disabled in thoughts. Usually, it prices £150 an evening, however Gerry lets me have it for £100 B&B.
On the bar, I inform Gerry that the dreaded dry January has arrived for a few of us and he says: ‘I’ve acquired simply the job.’
He reaches for a bottle of Seedlip Backyard 108. Add loads of lime and good tonic, and it does the trick. No gin kick, clearly, however refreshing and an unlimited enchancment on fizzy water.
Gerry likes his wine (he has a store subsequent door) and spends extra time on the shopper aspect of the bar than behind it, filling up mates’ glasses and appearing like a correct impresario. There’s a rustic village ambiance, despite the fact that it’s on the busy Guildford Street.
Locals pop in for a hand-pumped pint and he appears to know all of them. There are quiz nights, a movie membership, boules and an enormous barbecue space.
Frankly, I arrive with low expectations, however they’re exceeded on each entrance, particularly at dinner.
Frankly, I arrive with low expectations, however they’re exceeded on each entrance, particularly at dinner
I eat within the extra suburban eating room quite than the wood-floored bar, and have the cured salmon with a seared scallop, pickled cucumber and fennel to begin, adopted by slow-cooked lamb wrapped within the thinnest of filo pastry. Each are excellent and good worth, too.
Each room is taken. You’ve acquired Ascot quarter-hour away and the Bisley Taking pictures Floor is even nearer, which explains why there’s a gun cupboard in my cabinet.
The Inn West Finish options in each the Good Lodge Information and Sawday’s. I can perceive why.
