There is little to detract from the most attractive façade of this ancient building, the oldest part being the middle section which is believed to date from 1467, when it was a farm house with attached cottages. It has been a pub since at least 1784 from which date all its innkeepers have been recorded. It is flanked to the left by a pretty tile hung building and to the right by a rather out of character extension dating from around 1900, which replaced the original stable block. The interior is a warren of rooms ancient and modern. The nooks and crannies are a delight to explore but do watch your head! Building work a few years ago added a kitchen and improved access to the garden. The blend of old with contemporary does actually seem to work well together. The cask beer is reasonably priced (and are even cheaper on Monday). CAMRA members receive a discount on the real ales on production of their membership card. Food is available all day from 12-10. Dogs are welcome in the old bar.
Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance
Listed status: II
This wonderful old pub has evolved over the years from a 17th-century house and, though much extended, has a historic core of rare distinction.
That core consists of a low-ceilinged room with its old bar counter (but modern bar-back) and, beyond it, the delightful little snug behind a charming old screen and with an impressive fireplace within. The other room at the front left was probably pressed into service later and has a 1930s brick fireplace. Right of the old servery is a further beamed snug with an old fireplace, then a further couple of rooms which contain what is probably 1920s panelling and period fireplaces. The first extension, in the 1920s, was the the big right-hand wing with applied timbering, followed in 2004 by expansion at the back with Mitchells & Butlers removing a garden bar and adding a new lounge and more seating areas to the rear right. However, thankfully, these do not impact hugely on the super historic core.
17th century house converted to a public house - the pub area has gradually evolved and expanded. The original core was no doubt the low ceilinged room with the old bar counter and the delightful little snug beyond it – note the screen to it and the impressive fireplace within. Another room at the front was probably pressed into service later and has a 1930s brick fireplace. All these areas have match-board wall-panelling and seem to have undergone a refit probably in the 1920s – for example the addition of the adzed beams to add to the antique air: with these go the external, mock Tudor remodelling bay on the right. Right of the old servery (modern bar-back) a further beamed snug with old fireplace, then a further couple of rooms which contain what is probably 1920s panelling and period fireplaces. Considerably extended to the rear in 2004 when Mitchells & Butlers removed a garden bar and added a new lounge bar and more seating areas to the rear right. However, thankfully, these do not impact hugely on the front six rooms.
This Pub serves 4 changing beers and 0 regular beers.
White Lion, Warlingham