Dorking is a good town for a pub crawl on foot, with most of the best addresses within a few minutes of each other. Here are four we would stand behind, chosen for what each does well, plus one a short drive into the Surrey Hills.
The Cricketers, South Street: real ale and a garden
The Cricketers, 81 South Street, Dorking, is a small, historic pub with a reputation well beyond the town. Surrey Live reported in spring 2026 that it appears among the Surrey pubs in the Telegraph's guide to the UK's 650 best pubs, and that it claims one of the best pub gardens in Surrey. The garden is on two tiers, catches the afternoon sun and is lit after dark.
The drinks list is the draw: Fuller's Master Cellarman, Cask Marque-accredited real ale, craft keg, wines and spirits. The food menu is simple. It has been described as much loved, with a community feel, beer festivals and even an onion-growing competition, according to Surrey Live's Good Beer Guide coverage. It also gets a mention for showing rugby and football.
Suits: a long summer afternoon outside, or a proper pint of cask ale. The pub is listed by CAMRA, and Surrey Live has more on the Telegraph listing. Call 01306 889938 to check hours before you go.
Old House at Home, West Street: local beer in a very old room
Old House at Home, 24 West Street, Dorking, is a timber-framed building that Tripadvisor says may date from as early as the 14th century. WhatPub describes a 15th-century pub with wood floors, a single bar split into four areas, and a patio garden with heated beach huts. There is also a bookable side room called Narnia.
Dorking Brewery took the lease in October 2023 and restored the old name after a refurbishment. WhatPub says it sells five Dorking beers, with plans for a guest line from another local brewery, alongside home-made food. Food service varies by day and there is none on Monday or Tuesday, so check before you set out.
Suits: anyone who wants Dorking-brewed beer in a building with real age. Details are on WhatPub, and the phone number is 01306 284100.
Cobbett's Beer Shop and Micropub, West Street: for the beer enthusiast
Cobbett's, 23 West Street, Dorking, began as a real ale off-licence in September 2010. In July 2014 it added a micropub in a tiny back room, which CAMRA says was the first in Surrey. It is independently owned, and Surrey Live's Good Beer Guide 2022 coverage noted its comprehensive range of ales.
Suits: people who want to talk about beer, and anyone who wants cans or bottles to take home. Space is tight, so it is a place for a quick, well-chosen pint rather than a big group. See the WhatPub listing for more.
The Parrot, Forest Green: Sunday lunch on the green
The Parrot, Forest Green, is a short drive out of Dorking, deep in the Surrey Hills. It is a Brunning and Price pub serving fresh food, cask ales and wine. The Good Pub Guide, quoted by Surrey Live, says it overlooks the village green, with a lawn and picnic sets, and calls it a bit of a Tardis, bigger inside than it looks. Dishes it mentioned include a buttermilk chicken burger, braised lamb shoulder and wild mushroom risotto.
CAMRA lists one regular and three changing beers, including Firebird, Surrey Hills and Tillingbourne. Phone 01306 775790.
Suits: a long lunch after a walk, or a table outside on a dry day. The pub's own page is at Brunning and Price.
Choosing between them
Best garden: The Cricketers, South Street.
Best for local beer and history: Old House at Home, West Street.
Best for beer enthusiasts: Cobbett's, West Street.
Best for Sunday lunch: The Parrot, Forest Green.
The two West Street pubs sit almost next door to each other, so they pair well in a single evening. Opening hours and food service change, so a quick call is wise before a special trip.
