Good pubs are at their best when it comes to Sunday lunch. Their Sunday best! I have been particularly keen to try out The Drummond in Albury since Peach Pubs’ investment in a tasteful £250,000 refurb a few months ago and its subsequent recognition as a finalist in the ‘Great British Pub Awards’ last year, so I took the family along to sample it.
Set in a tranquil setting with a stunning garden running down from the pretty 19th century pub to the River Tillingbourne at its foot, this is a place to hole up away from the outside world. The low-ceilinged bar has nooks for sitting and nursing a pint of Shere Drop from the Surrey Hills Brewery which you can savour in front of a blazing fire, as well as a dining room serving seasonal dishes.
We were booked for four but had a late additional diner joining us, and despite perhaps the busiest time of the week, the staff very kindly were able to accommodate us all.
Our culinary journey began with garlic and paprika king prawn starters, with roasted tomatoes and toasted sourdough, and baked Somerset Camembert adorned with onion marmalade.
For mains, the perfectly cooked roast beef melted in the mouth. The Drummond’s meat supplier is Aubrey Allen, apparently ‘the catering butcher to the stars’, and the prime beef is grass-fed and dry-aged. But our chicken valentine special was a standout and was incredibly succulent.
As a sweet finale, the sticky toffee pudding and apple crumble with custard both earned high praise. Perfect pub food but up several levels from your average Sunday fare. Easy to see why this place has been winning much acclaim. A thoughtful touch was the birthday inscription on one guest’s plate, adding a personal touch to our dining experience.
The ambiance, coupled with the recent investments in the garden overlooking the river Tillingbourne and luxurious interiors, made for a memorable lunch. The Drummond comes highly recommended for its welcoming staff, excellent food, extensive wine selection, and inviting atmosphere. We look forward to returning, perhaps in the summer to enjoy crayfishing with the children by the river.
The Drummond at Albury is in the heart of Albury village, near Guildford, Surrey GU5 9AG
Tel: 01483 202039
This article also appear in the spring edition of Premier Magazine
