If you’re stepping off the train at Tolworth, you’re in for a treat – Tolworth and nearby Surbiton offer a cracking mix of boozers and bar vibes within a ten‑minute stroll. Just opposite the Broadway, the Broadway Bar Café serves up a relaxed, no‑frills atmosphere (think laid‑back music nights and decent grub). Pop over to The Royal Oak on Ewell Road for a more traditional pub feel – well‑kept ales, craft beers and a charming garden perfect for summer sessions. Whether it’s casual drinks, a proper pint, or catching some live footie, there’s a welcoming spot to kick off your evening near Tolworth station.
The Royal Oak
Address: 261 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7AA
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled between Surbiton and Tolworth on Ewell Road, this cosy, L‑shaped neighbourhood pub is a short stroll from Surbiton and New Malden stations and sits opposite Fishponds Park.
- What’s the Vibe? Warm, friendly and relaxed, with wooden floors, painted walls, wood-panelling and a large beer garden. It’s a traditional free-house feel enhanced by craft keg beers and a dry-age meat fridge.
What’s On Offer
- Real Ales & Craft Beer Selection: Usually serves at least two real ales (e.g., Surrey Hills Shere Drop, Windsor & Eton Mandarin) alongside rotating craft keg beers, cider and lagers – well-kept and varied.
- Food & Barbecue Garden Menu: Offers lunchtime and evening meals; features a BBQ in the garden and a dry-age meat fridge behind the bar. Known for good food, including Sunday roasts.
- Events: Quiz nights on Sunday; Sky TV, pool table and darts available.
- Pet & Family Friendly: Dogs and children are welcomeb- there are dog biscuits behind the bar!
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Opening Hours: Monday–Saturday noon–midnight; Sunday noon–23:00.
- Meal Service: Noon–21:00 daily.
The Maypole
Address: 2 Hook Road, Surbiton, KT6 5BH
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled on a prominent corner at Hook Road and Ditton Road, the Maypole sits in the heart of suburban Surbiton, just shy of a mile from the railway station.
- What’s the Vibe? An attractive, early‑20th‑century pub boasting timber floors, wood‑panelled walls painted in gastro green, and cosy, zoned seating. It offers a warm, unpretentious community feel with a dash of sporty spirit, including plenty of rugby memorabilia and live-screened matches.
What’s On Offer
- Stellar drink selection: CAMRA‑approved with two permanent cask ales (Fuller’s London Pride and Sharp’s Doom Bar) plus one rotating guest beer such as St Austell Proper Job. Also well stocked with lagers, Guinness, and draught specials.
- Sport & pub games: Features multiple large screens for Sky Sports and live events, with dartboards, pool table, dominoes, crib, and occasional live music or band nights.
- Accommodation: Includes five B&B rooms available via Stonegate tenancy.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Monday–Thursday: 12:00–23:00
- Friday–Saturday: 12:00–midnight
- Sunday: 12:00–22:30
- Food: Sunday roasts served noon–17:00; other days offer snacks, bar snacks and buffets on sports/night events
The Lamb
Address: 73 Brighton Road, Surbiton, KT6 5NF
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled on Brighton Road, it’s just a short stroll – around 550 metres -from Surbiton station, conveniently close to local bus services and the A243.
- What’s the Vibe? A community‑focused freehouse with an eclectic, kitschy décor (think Victorian paraphernalia, cosmic‑steam pipe‑gauge art and board‑games), set around a C‑shaped central bar. It’s lively without being flashy, often hosting live music and quirky events in a relaxed, homely setting.
What’s On Offer
- Real Ales & Locally‑sourced Drinks: A rotating selection includes staples like Surrey Hills’ Shere Drop and Hop Back Summer Lightning, complemented by guest ales from micros. The pub is CAMRA-listed and was named their Pub of the Year 2024.
- Pop‑Up Kitchens & Cheese Platters: A regular pop‑up kitchen in the garden invites local cooks midweek, offering street‑food style fare. Inside, enjoy hearty Three‑Cheese Ploughman’s and themed nights such as their Homage de Fromage.
- Live Music & Community Events: Free‐entry gigs most Wednesdays, intimate An Evening With showcases, monthly Irish Fiddly Diddly sessions and vibrant Sunday Sessions create a buzzing, inclusive scene. They also host life‑size board games and various themed parties.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit? Open daily from 12:00–23:00. Evening meals are served Wednesday–Sunday, 19:00–22:00.
The Prince of Wales
Address: 117 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6AL
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Situated just a five‑minute walk from Surbiton railway station, the Prince of Wales stands on Ewell Road near Surbiton Hospital in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames – a convenient suburban spot with easy links to central London.
- What’s the Vibe? This Victorian, single‑bar pub has a warm, light and airy feel, featuring varnished wood floors, blue‑patterned tiles, exposed brickwork and a cosy stove fire. With comfy sofas and both low and high seating, it’s informal yet inviting -perfect for relaxed evenings, catching live sports or dropping in for a quiet pint.
What’s On Offer
- Beer Garden & Outdoor TV: At the back lies a spacious, family‑friendly beer garden complete with garden games and an outdoor TV ideal for watching live sport in the sunshine.
- Cask Ales & Fuller’s-Led Menu: A rotating selection of real ales (typically four on at any time, including Dark Star Hophead and Fuller’s London Pride), complemented by craft lagers, wines, spirits and non‑alcoholic choices.
- Fresh, Seasonal Pub Food: The kitchen serves up freshly cooked seasonal dishes with daily specials. The mains menu includes items like chicken schnitzel, steak and Thai‑spiced salads, alongside “build‑your‑bar‑board” options and weekly specials.
- Quiz Nights & Live Music: Regular events enliven the place – Quiz Night every Sunday at 7 pm and live music on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Pub hours: Mon–Wed 12:00–23:00, Tue–Thu 12:00–23:30, Fri–Sat 12:00–00:30, Sun 12:00–23:00.
- Food served: Mon–Tue noon–16:00, Tue–Wed noon–21:00, Sun until 19:00; kitchen aligns with these times .
The Black Lion
Address: 58 Brighton Road, Surbiton, KT6 5PL
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled on Brighton Road in the heart of Surbiton, The Black Lion sits just a few minutes’ walk from Surbiton station and local bus routes – perfect for popping in after commuting home.
- What’s the Vibe? A traditional, warm and welcoming local pub with rich wooden interiors, stained glass windows, brass pumps and cosy fires. It offers both a vibrant sports-watching crowd and relaxed dining charm.
What’s On Offer
- Stone‑baked artisan pizzas & craft ales: The heart of their menu is thin, crispy pizzas—available in vegetarian and gluten-free options—alongside a well-curated selection of cask ales and craft beers from across the UK.
- Live music & pub quiz nights: Enjoy live bands most Saturday evenings (artists such as Pete Bruntnell and Ray Lowe), and join the popular Tuesday quiz night featuring cash prizes and a lively community feel.
- All‑sports viewing hub: With seven screens inside and undercover screens in the garden, The Black Lion broadcasts football, rugby, cricket, golf, American football, boxing and more—making it a firm favourite for sports fans.
- Private functions: Offers a private space for parties of up to 45 (seated) or 45 standing, ideal for birthdays, corporate events or wakes.
- Guest Rooms: Above the pub, there are en‑suite guest rooms with free Wi‑Fi and large TVs.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Pub: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 12:00–23:00; Tue 12:00–23:30; Fri–Sat 12:00–24:00
- Food: Daily 12:00–22:00
- Live music wraps up by 23:00 due to local residential guidelines
Ready to Visit?
Tolworth and Surbiton together offer a welcoming pocket of pub life just beyond London’s main sprawl – perfect for an easy night out without the city bustle. Whether you’re settling into The Royal Oak for a craft pint in the garden, enjoying the vibrant local music scene at The Lamb, or catching the match with a pizza at The Black Lion, you’ll find characterful spots that blend traditional pub warmth with plenty of personality. With Surbiton’s rail connections and Tolworth’s laid-back charm, it’s a brilliant area for discovering your new favourite boozer.
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