The Drummond at Albury has had its glorious riverside garden singled out for praise by being named a finalist in the Best Pub Garden category of the Great British Pub Awards 2023. It now goes forward to the final stage of the national awards which will be announced on 19th September 2023.
Since taking over the pub, we’ve invested in a new garden design that has transformed the outside and created a place for guests to eat and drink alfresco whilst enjoying the beauty and tranquillity of The Drummond’s setting.
This classic English village inn, situated in the village of Albury in the heart of the Surrey Hills, has a beautiful garden that stretches the width of the pub and forms a natural link between the attractive 19th century building and the River Tillingbourne that runs past it.
There is a spacious patio area, with weathered herringbone and sandstone paving planted with stylish statement plants and furnished with comfortable chairs and tables where guests can sit in the sunshine and enjoy a glass of local ale or a G&T made with Silent Pool gin distilled in Albury. A verdant lawn next to the riverside is the perfect spot to sit and read a book or stretch out on a blanket and there is a stylish opening and closing pergola offering cover as well as a bookable space for parties, dinner parties and even wedding breakfasts.
General Manager, Tom Tolhurst
“We’ve created a gorgeous garden here which is simply a stunning setting to enjoy good food and drink and it’s become a real talking point for the pub. Locals and guests staying at the pub love it because it’s not only beautiful, it’s also incredibly tranquil – you can sit and listen to the sound of the river trickling by and dangle your legs into the water whilst enjoying the outstanding natural beauty of the Surrey Hills. “At the weekend it’s a haven for little anglers, who try their hand at catching crayfish or brown trout from the river or jump in for a paddle. We’ve even got fishing nets and jelly shoes on hand. Families love it and it’s great for everyone to spend a lazy weekend afternoon in, tuck into an amazing Sunday lunch or relax in after a bracing walk.
“We’ve put a lot of love and care into the garden and that, combined with the attention of the great team we have here and the quality of the food coming from the kitchen, we hope will put us in a good position to win. We’d love to be named Best Pub Garden in the country and will be keeping everything crossed for a win,” he says.
The Great British Pub Awards
Every year, hundreds of pubs across the UK enter the Great British Pub Awards, which have been running for more than two decades. The judges whittle the list down across two rounds of judging before on-the-road visits take place during the summer. Finalists are invited to the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester for the awards ceremony on 19th September 2023.
Ed Beddington, editor of The Morning Advertiser which organises the awards says, “The great British pub is an institution to be proud of and we are proud to be able to honour and recognise some of the best businesses in the country.
“Our finalists have now been selected from hundreds of amazing entries from all over the UK. I am excited to visit the sites alongside my fellow judges and we look forward to revealing the winners in the autumn.”