Tucked on the edge of Bourne Woods on Bat & Ball Lane, just outside Farnham, The Bat & Ball Freehouse is a proper country pub with a warm, storybook feel. Surrounded by Surrey countryside and easy to find once you know to follow the smell of chips and gravy, it's the kind of place that rewards the short drive out of town.
The kitchen focuses on classic pub fare reimagined with modern flair, built around carefully sourced local produce and topped up with daily specials. Sunday roasts are something of a house speciality, with hearty portions, proper gravy and no limit on Yorkshire puddings. The drinks side is just as considered, with regulars like Triple FFF, Dark Star, Hop Head and Hog's Back on tap alongside rotating ales from independent local breweries.
Inside, the pub has a cosy, welcoming feel, while outside there's a genuinely enormous beer garden, complete with a children's playground, making it a proper family destination as well as a spot for a peaceful pint. Dogs are welcome throughout, and there's plenty of on-site parking. The pub also hosts a monthly pop-up dining night, Boundary Table, which takes diners on a themed culinary tour, from Spanish tapas to Sri Lankan spice.
The Bat & Ball is open every day, with slightly shorter kitchen hours on Sundays and Mondays, so it's worth checking before a late visit.