Hidden in the rolling hills of the Surrey countryside, near Haslemere, The Duke of Cumberland is the picture of a country pub, complete with ingredient-led British cooking and an impressive pub garden. Set high on a hillside in the village of Henley, the building dates back to the 16th century and retains some of that old-time feel. The food however, goes way beyond traditional pub fare, offering gastropub menus that make the most of ingredients in their prime, matched with an extensive wine list.
Inside, The Duke of Cumberland is cosy, thanks to low ceilings, ancient beams, and a collection of interconnected dining rooms, often with open fireplaces. It’s worn but looked after, preserving that comforting, traditional feel. The outdoor area might be even more attractive. Here, you’ll find terraces and a hillside garden with streams, ponds, and sweeping views across the Surrey Hills. In summer, at sunset, there’s a deeply cinematic quality to it, and when you throw in covered spaces and sunshine-soaked tables, it’s not hard to see why so many treat The Duke of Cumberland as a destination.
Menus at The Duke of Cumberland showcase the best from the local area to produce simple but delicious food. Head chef and owner Simon Goodman focuses heavily on local produce, using meat from nearby farms, fish from the south coast and ingredients grown in the pub’s own vegetable patch. As a result, menus change regularly, but to give an idea as to the range of the kitchen, you might see starters like pan-seared scallops with parsnip puree and serrano shards alongside prawn, crayfish, and smoked salmon with caviar. Mains, meanwhile, include the signature Duke of Cumberland confit pork belly with sautéed potatoes, creamed cabbage, apple glaze, and thyme and port jus; mixed seafood risotto nero with squid, baby octopus, prawns, and crayfish; and oven-baked Gressingham duck breast, with mixed seasonal vegetables, and dauphinoise potato.