The Lamb Inn is a creative and interactive boozer that prides itself on being one of the oldest pubs in Surbiton, having stood here since 1850 under many guises. However, is it any good now?

The Venue
The Lamb Inn sits meekly at the end of lively Brighton Road, just off Surbiton High Street. Although very humble and small in stature, it certainly makes good use of its space, hiding a myriad of treasures behind its doors.

The one tiny but uncluttered room holds a mandatory old square bar surrounded by mismatched wooden furniture and a few leather sofas along with a gambling table squeezed into the corner. The decor is made up of contributions from the locals: quirky photography and paintings (like portraits of Dragon Ball Z characters) cover the walls and a few winning pieces from past interactive competitions are propped on the windowsills or hang from the ceiling, cleverly and adoringly crafted from foil, twigs and other materials.

A prime feature of the pub is a vast back garden beyond a hidden door near the toilets. The grassy backyard contains a smoking tent, scattered chairs and benches, varied lanterns and fun fittings like a vintage trailer in the far corner and an interactive, life-sized work in progress in tribute to Mouse Trap with an elevated bathtub standing in the middle of the lawn. Genius.

The Atmosphere
The Lamb Inn is keen on encouraging creative thinking and activity, generously supplying customers with board games, cards, competitions and events that encourage you to get thinking and building. The crowd is generally in their forties but younger types have started to seek it out. For those who come alone, or somehow feel left out of the regular Lamb crew, a small but well-chosen library of quiz and word game reference books, guides, magazines and timeless novels fill up a shelf squeezed into the far corner.

Word has gotten out about the themed parties here (Halloween, heroes and villains, talk like a pirate day), and the word is good. This charming pub proves that fun doesn’t have to start with a shot of Sambuca. Music is lowered to encourage hearty conversation but the tracks are generally eclectic, ranging from ska and rock to funk, soul and rap. They’re not picky, as long as it sounds good.

The Food
Nibbles at the Lamb Inn are basic and consist of a bountiful variety of British cheese, pate, pie and terrine but cheese is the main focus with a monthly Homage du Fromage event taking place. You’ll find more than a handful of names like Gorwydd Somerset Brie, Ashmore, Ragstone and Westcombe Cheddar, and three wedges of your choosing can be had with grapes, apple and jellies, pickled goods or homemade chutney and generous slices of homemade bread for £7.95. On the side, they do amazing £1.50 brownies.

The Drink
Drink is limited to a handful of good wines, ales and organic soft drinks at average pub prices. On tap you’ll find Leffe, Staropramen, Becks, Carlsberg, Guinness and Hobgoblin at an average price of £3.30 a pint.

The Last Word
The Lamb Inn is a pioneer for pubs in the area. They’re doing something completely different in Kingston upon Thames and bringing the community together. Other pubs, take note.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (4) image gallery (3)