The Punchbowl Inn ... Oakwoodhill
Map | Reviews
OS Map : Landranger 187 · Map reference TQ 133 374
Description
Stone-floored 15th century pub on a quiet lane in Oakwoodhill on the Surrey-Sussex border. Large inglenook fireplace, with horse brasses displayed above, and several different bar and restaurant areas. Small staircase from the middle bar looks like a secret "escape" but, unfortunately, merely leads to a function room.
Beers from Hall and Woodhouse including Tanglefoot and Fursty Ferret. Open all day Saturday and Sundays. Nice fenced garden at the front and views from the carpark at the back of the pub towards Leith Hill.
Nearby to the pub is the "hidden" 13th century church of St John the Baptist - the most isolated church in Surrey.
How to get there
By car
The pub is a short distance from the A29 north-west of Horsham, near Ockley.
Cycling
The pub is close to the A29 which can be busy at peak times. However,
cycling through Warnham means that you only have to cycle the A29 for
a short distance.
Cycle to Warnham from Horsham and follow the road north through the village past the Sussex Oak pub on the left. Take the next left at Knob Hill [signposted "Northlands, Ockley"] and cycle up the hill. At the top, follow the road round to the right and then down hill. Take the first left, also signposted to "Northlands, Ockley", and follow the road [up and down] until you reach the A29.
Turn right [signed "Ockley 3"] and cycle for 1 mile [1.6 km]. Turn left into Ruckmans Lane [signed "Oakwoodhill"], follow the road and the pub is near the T-junction at the top. You can see the pub sign looking left from the T-junction.
Suggested cycling routes from here
From the pub, turn right towards the Scarlett Arms at Walliswood or turn right and then first left takes you towards the Chequers at Rowhook.
or the pub is on the Surrey cycleway which is a country lane route through Surrey. Surrey County Council provides some useful cycling guides and an interactive map which covers this area - and part of West Sussex.
or Leith Hill for some technical off-road mountain biking.
Your reviews
Tim H says: 
| 3-July-08
Have been going to the Punchbowl for 12 years now and always have received a very warm welcome from the landlord and staff. The food is always to a high quality, no matter how busy the kitchen is. One of the best pubs in Surrey.
David says: 
| 1-July-08
Went for a Sunday roast, very nice place. Not much room though as it's very small. Drinks are expensive and the food is also expensive and not very nice to eat. Service ok but could have been better with the money we spent. Apart from that, nice place.
Nicholas Martin says: | 8-June-08
I visited the Punchbowl with a friend who now lives in Denmark who wanted some traditional British food. He had the steak and ale pie and I had the ham, eggs and chips. Both meals were first class, service was faultless and they were even doing a special offer of a free pudding [my friend had the bread and butter pudding and loved it]. Highly recommended.
Barry Windle says: | 8-June-08
Fabulous food, especially the home-cooked desserts, would strongly recommend a visit. The Punchbowl is a traditional, friendly pub with welcoming staff. I will gladly be visiting again very soon.
Jan Talman says: 
| 31-May-08
We visited the Punchbowl for lunch at the end of March and thought the food was good and the landlord and staff friendly. We returned in early May with friends for lunch on a sunny Sunday. We all agreed our food was excellent, as was the service. We had beautiful ham on the bone, with free range egg and chips and a lasagne which was really meaty and tasty. We will be booking again in June for an evening meal. Location and pub decor are both great.
Paul says: 
| 7-May-08
I wish we had read the reviews before our trip last Sunday. Two overpriced and undercooked meals - which took over an hour to arrive - and when they did, we wished they hadn't. We complained and we were told "people like it like that". Really? Virtually raw bloody steak. Raw vegetables? I don't think so. Really terrible.
Amanda Nordoff says: | 24-April-08
I have visited the pub on many occasions with my family. We always find it very welcoming and have had lovely meals. We chose to use the venue for our wedding reception which was perfect, the food was fantastic and beautifully presented, we were made to feel very special and relaxed. Would highly recommend a visit!
Ron says: | 15-April-08
Attractive pub in stunning location. Staff indifferent, food okish but overpriced. Best to visit in the summer and just have a drink and enjoy the view.
Lynda Boucher says: | 1-February-08
I visited the Punchbowl as part of a gathering of several classic vehicle club members, where we were served with very overpriced substandard meals. The girl behind the bar was not in the least welcoming and made me feel that I was a nuisance when I asked a question about my food. I will not be returning.
Alison Haigh says: | 21-November-07
We have had another very enjoyable meal at the Punchbowl. The food was excellent and the service was prompt and friendly as usual. A great place to take all the family.
Steve Watson says: | 6-November-07
This is my favourite pub in Surrey. The setting is great and the building is beautiful. Nice beer and the paninis that I always end up having at lunch are very good. I have not eaten a full meal here so cannot comment on that. The staff are always welcoming each time I visit [and normally I am in cycling gear which not everybody approves of].
Tom says: | 22-October-07
Set in a nice country lane, charming little pub but not very comfy, a bit overpriced for the drinks and the food was OK, if it had been cheaper. Have been to the inn on the green that is just down the road; it has more space and is better priced with a landlord that has a smile.
Pub landlord comments | Phillip Nisbet | 11-September-07
As landlord of the Punchbowl, I feel very strongly about the quality of service that we offer. Whilst we do not always get it right, a large number of very satisfied customers visit us each week to sample the good food and fine ales on offer. We have a lovely country pub that is well worth a visit. The two recent comments [below] are by people that are not known to us and I would be delighted to discuss their comments at any time should they wish to contact me direct.
John East says: | 13-July-07
The staff were very rude, the food was undercooked. When we complained, we were told to leave in an aggressive manner. We left after wasting £95 on food and drinks. Will never return.
Roshelle says: | 9-July-07
We went for a drink while the Scarlett Arms was shut and we won't be returning. The staff were rude which made us feel unwanted so we drank up and left.
Older reviews
Mark and Christine say: | 5-May-05
A very nice feel to this pub which has a good range of reasonably priced food and a decent pint. Bar on the right and restaurant on the left. Pleasant garden but it seems a shame it is at the front because the views to Leith
Hill at the back are wonderful. We avoided most of the main roads on a round trip through Rusper and Capel and back through Rowhook - a very pleasant 18 miles.
Pub score - No Good · - Excellent
