We were mightily impressed with The Running Mare during our recent visit to the famous Cobham pub.
Steeped in history with a beautiful, picturesque setting on The Tilt in Cobham we were wowed from our initial entrance. We were seated in the lively, vibrant ‘Small Bar’ area adorned with Formula One sporting memorabilia and enjoyed exquisite food, drinks and service from the Bar Manager Jimmy and Waitress Mae on this fabulous Tuesday night outing!
A family run pub you will often see the owners Adrian and his son Ollie – who took over ‘The Runners’ in 1991 (after Adrian’s 31 year tenure as licencee) turning the pub into the exquisite dining and family friendly establishment that it is today.
The focus is firmly on quality, community and fun which the Runners has in spades. Plus, the largest selection of beers and traditional ales we have seen in a long time!
SENSATIONAL STARTERS
With an impressive menu consisting of tantalising dishes including Pan-fried Scallops, Burrata, Soup of the Day and many more we were spoilt for choice.
We opted for the Sticky Asian Duck Salad served with honey and hoisin dressing – which was devine. The duck was cooked perfectly with lots of crisp and the portion size was generous with an abundance of duck, seasonal leaves and of course, the delicious sweet dressing.
Next up we decided to try the Prawns Pil Pil with six large King Prawns served in a sizzling clay dish with chilli, garlic oil and rustic bread to dip. The dish was amazing; the prawns were large and succulent and flavours intense – the perfect amount of garlic and chilli…spicy but not too spicy.
MAGNIFICENT MAINS
With a wide selection on the mains menu, choosing just the one proved difficult.
We went for an 8oz Surrey Farm Fillet Steak which was cooked medium rare to perfection and came with triple cooked chips, peppercorn sauce and a side salad with the ripest vine cherry tomatoes. A delicious dish which came in at only £30 – a snip for such a sublime steak main. We were also enticed by the delicious Slow Braised Lamb Shank which came on a bed of mash with braised red cabbage, mint and red currant jus. The meat was so succulent and literally fell off the bone – an amazing dish, packed with flavour and well worth a try. This came from the ‘Daily Specials Menu’ that The Running Mare change every day to keep fresh, seasonal and exciting dishes for its customers!
Next up, on the recommendation of our waitress Mae, we went for the Homemade 6oz Scotch steak burger with mature cheddar & smoked bacon in a brioche bun with the most delicious house burger sauce and skinny fries to accompany. This dish was to die for!
As was the final main of the evening – the Lobster Macaroni Cheese with freshly caught that day lobster in a sizzling pan of creamy and delicious cheesy pasta. The lobster was delicious and plentiful… a great dish! You can also opt for the Mac & Cheese with smoked bacon or the Vegetarian option if you wanted a variation of the American main!
DELECTABLE DESSERTS
The Sticky Toffee Pudding, made using a traditional, homemade family recipe, is one of the most popular desserts at The Running Mare and is definitely worth a mention as it sells out a lot on Sundays we have been told! The Seasonal Fruit Crumble using the in-season fruits is another firm favourite – we didn’t have room to try but will definitely be back soon and will save more room.
If you haven’t got a sweet tooth then we can wholeheartedly recommend the famed ‘Cheeseboard’ – a pub and boozy classic!
BEST ROASTS
The Running Mare is famed for its traditional Sunday Roasts too – with visitors coming far and wide to sample these impressive delights on their Sunday menu:
Roast Sirloin of English beef, goose fat roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and seasonal vegetables £19.50
Half a roast free-range chicken with a sausage meat, apricot and herb stuffing, goose fat roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables £17.95 Roast leg of Devonshire lamb, goose fat roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables £18.50
Roast loin of Suffolk pork with homemade apple sauce, crackling, goose fat roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables £17.50
Mixed Roast – combination of beef, lamb and pork with homemade apple sauce, crackling, Yorkshire pudding, goose fat roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables £20.95
Nut roast – buttered new potatoes, traditional roast vegetables, vegetarian gravy £16.95 Small roast £14.50 – Small mixed £16.95
Vegetarian pasta of the week £14.95
Make sure you book in early as The Running Mare Sunday Lunches get very booked up!
HISTORY & FAMOUS FACES
The Running Mare has long been one of the landmark bars in Cobham. The family behind the success of the Running Mare has a fascinating background which is evident throughout. At the helm is Adrian Bailey, who has been the licence holder for over 31 years, joined by his son Ollie who spent most of his life in the Cobham area being educated at Parkside and Reeds schools just up the road; Oliver is now director and running the growth of the business, kitchen and the wide variety of social events the Running Mare offer – including regular quiz and live music nights – as well as showing all the latest sporting matches on their big screen TV.
Whilst Adrian comes from a hospitality background – he has run a number of successful pubs and bars before the Running Mare.
Adrian spent a large part of his life supporting and travelling with his younger brother, the racing driver Julian Bailey, on the route to Formula One. The influences from this part of their lives can be felt everywhere but most especially in the Small Bar where there are numerous photographs reflecting not just Julian’s career but his friends and other members of the family who have followed in his footsteps.
Like other bars in Cobham, the pub has a few claims to fame. Famous names from four and two wheels, Damon Hill to Wayne Gardner are regular customers and the ‘Runner’ has hosted several events and private functions.
Julian went on to win the FIA World Sportscar Championship amongst other great achievements, but he probably receives the most acclaim for being Top Gear’s STIG for many years! As you can imagine the Running Mare car park has hosted an extremely interesting collection of supercars in its time!
The pub’s proximity to the Chelsea FC training ground also makes the Running Mare a preferred watering hole for players, their families, pundits and media which makes for interesting ‘people watching’. ‘The Runner’ is also a popular spot for many of Cobham and Oxshott’s celebrities from Andy Murray to Jimmy White to ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and from the music world Rick Parfitt and Paul Weller. When Surrey Rocks were there TV personality Bobby Davro popped in for a meal! The warmth and character of The Running Mare is reflected in its prevailing popularity. It’s a must try!
IN SUMMARY
Other bars and restaurants in Cobham come and go, but the ‘Runner’ remains a staunch favourite amongst locals and newcomers alike. The ‘Bailey’s’ work hard to maintain the feeling of a traditional pub while evolving and moving with the times which is reflected in the great variety of food and drinks on offer and events which populate the pub’s calendar and never fail to disappoint. We can’t wait to come back again!
CONTACT
To make a booking at the Running Mare Cobham see their online booking form at:
Email: info@therunningmare.com
Tel: 01932 862007
Address: 45 Tilt Road, Cobham, Surrey
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