Quick info
About The Watermill
The Watermill is a pub on Reigate Rd in Dorking, with a beer garden and a deck with a fireplace that both look out to Box Hill. Tables inside serve a brunch and lunch menu, and evening meals follow later in the day. The kitchen turns out Lemon And Thyme Roast Chicken and Wild Mushroom Strudel, and a Sunday roast is on the menu. The bar pours pints, wines, ales and spirits, so a drink can stand alone or sit alongside a meal. Dogs are welcome, which suits walkers coming in with their own company. Carrot cake pudding rounds out the dessert choices.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Menu & Prices
3 dishes- 28-Day Dry-Aged Rump From Turner & George
- Lemon And Thyme Roast Chicken
- Wild Mushroom Strudel
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, views of box hill, fish and chips and carrot cake.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, views of box hill, fish and chips and carrot cake.
Customer Review Summary
The view toward Box Hill is what reviewers raise most, taken in from the beer garden, the deck and the inside tables, and one diner was moved to a table with a better outlook. Food follows close behind, with fish and chips praised by two separate parties and a carrot cake pudding one reviewer would return for. The Sunday roast splits opinion: one calls it hot, filling and delicious, while another found the chicken mostly bone, the gravy watery and the Yorkshire pudding burnt. Burgers were called small and tasteless for the price, and a brunch diner found the scrambled egg small, with food slow to arrive even when the pub was quiet. Others report a long wait to be seated, some dishes being unavailable at ordering, and staff unaware of a Greene King app discount. Several praise friendly service that did not rush them, including a barman who offered to replace a pint because it was the last in the barrel.
Customer Review Summary
The view toward Box Hill is what reviewers raise most, taken in from the beer garden, the deck and the inside tables, and one diner was moved to a table with a better outlook. Food follows close behind, with fish and chips praised by two separate parties and a carrot cake pudding one reviewer would return for. The Sunday roast splits opinion: one calls it hot, filling and delicious, while another found the chicken mostly bone, the gravy watery and the Yorkshire pudding burnt. Burgers were called small and tasteless for the price, and a brunch diner found the scrambled egg small, with food slow to arrive even when the pub was quiet. Others report a long wait to be seated, some dishes being unavailable at ordering, and staff unaware of a Greene King app discount. Several praise friendly service that did not rush them, including a barman who offered to replace a pint because it was the last in the barrel.
Featured reviews
- Charlotte Mcgreggor
“We have just been for a Sunday roast at The Watermill Dorking. What went right??? The food was mediocre. The staff were rude. And overpriced. We were told upon ordering that they were out of a lot of stuff that we wanted to order. And then the waitress came over to take our order and only seemed to make any conversation and eye contact with the male at the table. The food was terrible. The chicken on my roast was all bones, barely any meat. Piles of cabbage and one carrot. The gravy was watery the Yorkshire pudding was burnt and inedible. Flys swarmed your plates before you’re even able to enjoy the meal. When we decided not to finish the meals as it was cold and lacked taste we politely asked the waitress ,Isabelle, to take the plates as there was so many flies flying around us she rolled her eyes and snatched the plates. She did not ask us is there any problem with the food or didn’t even offer to move us inside. 20 minutes later she then asked the male of the table, again ignoring the woman, if “you guys” wanted desserts so we decided to have a look to save what was left of the visit. However they seemed to be so overly priced that we chose not to. And to top it all off when she came to take payment she approached the table with a smirk and asked “paying on two cards are we?” Not only is this the complete wrong way to go about asking this question, it seemed extremely backhanded and as she had spent the whole time ignoring the woman of the table just to assume that we were paying separately at the end. We left feeling uncomfortable and disappointed with our time here. Not even mentioning being charged £9.11 for we have charge just to be made to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. The only good part of this visit was the view.”
- Sebastian Zaremba
“The food was okay. The side of greens was just large leaves, though some might enjoy that. The view is great, and the whole pub looks very nice. My biggest problem was waiting a long time with a child for someone to seat us, even though it wasn't very busy. We picked the pub because it's listed on the Greene King app, and I had a discount to use. When I placed the order, they had no idea the app existed and claimed they didn't offer discounts. I showed them that the pub was in the app, but no one seemed to know anything about it. I will not be coming back.”
- Sara Santos
“What a lovely surprise, drove from Kent to meet a friend and found a lovely pub. SPACE: gorgeous. Bar, dining area, beer garden and a deck area with fireplace for Winter meals! FOOD: very good menu, for brunch or lunch. Loved the fish and chips. SERVICE: manager and Nova were very friendly, not rushing us out, instead inviting us to enjoy meals, ice cream and drinks, and just have a good time, while enjoying a gorgeous view. Will definitely come back to Dorking!”
- Richie Reviewer
“Had a nice brunch here for 3 people. Food is delicious and beautifully presented just wish my scrambled egg was a bit bigger or came with an extra piece of toast like some other local pubs I have had brunch at. Service was friendly and welcoming though food took a while to come out despite it being quiet when we were there. Lovely atmosphere inside and out with nice hillside views, and they welcome dogs. Would definitely come back in a future visit to try the Sunday roast or drinks in the evening.”
- Isabel
“Had a lovely Thursday evening meal The Watermill in Dorking. It is such a gorgeous pub with a stunning view of box hill. The food was very good quality and not disappointing at all - clean plates! Laura’s carrot cake STP was to die for and I’ll be coming back just for this pudding!! Nova ensured we were well looked after - even moving us to a better situated table with a good view of Box Hill. I will absolutely be returning and would recommend a visit to anyone looking for somewhere for drinks or a lovely evening meal out.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Watermill is the perfect place to relax and enjoy traditional British food in a delightful setting. Located in the picturesque Surrey town of Dorking, our restaurant offers a range of fresh dishes, from classic pub grub to international cuisine. The cosy dining room is perfect for family lunches, romantic dinners and group gatherings. We also provide a spacious beer garden, ideal for al fresco dining in the summer. The bar serves a selection of wines, beers, ales, and spirits, and the staff are always on hand to provide a friendly and helpful service. Whether you’re looking for a delicious meal, a quick snack, or relaxing evening, The Watermill is the ideal destination.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Live performances
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 2
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Romantic
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near The Watermill
- The Pheasant at Buckland4.42,0563.1 mi
covered terrace seating, gluten-free menu options, white chocolate posset
- Skimmington Castle4.51,1923.6 miWheelchair accessible
fish and chips, roast dinner, pulled pork
- The Wotton Hatch4.41,9483.6 mi
pie, generous portions, dog friendly
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The WatermillReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.43,685 | — | sunday roast, views of box hill, fish and chips |
| The Pheasant at Buckland | 4.42,056 | 3.1 mi | covered terrace seating, gluten-free menu options, white chocolate posset |
| Skimmington CastleWheelchair accessible | 4.51,192 | 3.6 mi | fish and chips, roast dinner, pulled pork |
| The Wotton Hatch | 4.41,948 | 3.6 mi | pie, generous portions, dog friendly |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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