The Punchbowl Inn ... Oakwoodhill
Telephone 01306 627249 · 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 car park 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 [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
Disclaimer: All reviews and ratings on this website are personal opinions by pub-goers. Horsham Pub Guide publishes comments at our editorial discretion but we are not responsible for comments made.
Score 
Excellent food; the best pub fare I've tasted and at reasonable prices. Extremely well cooked and obviously consisted of quality ingredients. Unfortunately, I have to point out that when asking to order food, the response we received (presumably from the landlord, who was expecting a large party of people at some point) was not good at all, rather rude in fact. If we had not already ordered our drinks, we would have just left there and then. All in all, superb food, but customer service in need of a little attention.
Score
Very friendly pub, excellent beer, excellent food, fast service. Importantly for cyclists, they do sandwiches and lighter lunches even on a Sunday. Negative point? Hmmmm. Can't think of one.
Score 
First class pub with good food. However, if you have to have a Gluten-free diet, they did not seem interested in adapting sauces etc.
Older reviews
Score 
Went for a family meal as it was my son's birthday. Very overpriced on the food and the drinks. Food not very nice, service very poor, and we felt like it was a pain that we were there. Will not be going back
Pub score - No Good · - Excellent
