Walton on the Hill Village Pub - Live Music, Quiz Nights, Dog friendly, Local Events

<body><table width="100%" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="5" class="centre"> <tr> <th width="34%" align="center" valign="middle" scope="col">tel: 01737 812132 email: <a href="mailto:theratatwoth@btinternet.com" style="color:#000000">theratinwalton@googlemail.com</a></th> <th width="32%" align="center" valign="top" scope="col"><div class="large">THE BELL a.k.a. "The Rat"</div></th> <th width="34%" align="center" valign="middle" scope="col">Withybed Corner, Walton-on-the-Hill KT20 7UJ </th> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="2" align="center" cellpadding="5"> <tr align="center" valign="top"> <th width="13%" height="83" nowrap="nowrap" scope="col"> <div class="top"><a href="body.html" target="mainFrame"><img src="assets/bell.jpg" alt="Information about The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Information about The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Information about The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="58" height="65" /></a> Our Pub</div> </th> <th width="14%" nowrap="nowrap" scope="col"><div class="bold"><a href="beer.html" target="mainFrame"><img src="assets/beerrat.jpg" alt="Guest Ales at The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Guest Ales at The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Guest Ales at The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="58" height="65" /></a>Guest Ales</div></th> <th width="13%" nowrap="nowrap" scope="col"><div class="bold"><a href="04 Basic Book/index.html" target="mainFrame"><img src="assets/winerat.jpg" alt="The Bell Wine List Walton on the Hill" title="The Bell Wine List, Walton on the Hill" width="51" height="70" /></a>Wine List</div></th> <th width="19%" nowrap="nowrap" scope="col"><div class="bold"> <a href="rambling.html" target="mainFrame"><img src="assets/ramblingrat.jpg" alt="Suggested Walks around Walton on the Hill" title="Suggested Walks around Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Suggested Walks around Walton on the Hill" width="58" height="65" /></a>Ramblers/Cyclists </div></th> <th width="14%" nowrap="nowrap" scope="col"><div class="bold"><a href="news.html" target="mainFrame"><img src="assets/newsrat.jpg" alt="Walton on the Hill Local News" title="Walton on the Hill Local News" longdesc="Walton on the Hill Local News" width="58" height="65" /></a>News</div></th> <th width="13%" nowrap="nowrap" scope="col"><div class="bold"><a href="map.html" target="mainFrame"><img src="assets/helprat.jpg" alt="Directions to The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Directions to The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Directions to The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="58" height="65" /></a>Find Us</div></th> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" align="center" vspace="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top" height="800px"class="bold"><span class="uline"><br />Monday</span><br />5.30pm to 11pm<br /> <span class="uline">Tuesday to Friday</span><br /> 12 noon to 3pm<br /> 5.30pm to 11pm<br /> <span class="uline">Sat & Sun</span><br /> 12 noon to 11pm<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.brakspear.co.uk/our_pubs/pub_page/29/bell" target="mainFrame"><img src="assets/brakspearlogo.png" alt="Link to Brakspear's Website" title="Link to Brakspear's Website" longdesc="Link to Brakspear's Website" width="100" height="33" class="centre" /></a> <div class="leftnomargin"> <div class="bold"> <ul type="disc"> <li>Guest Ales</li> <li type="disc">Beer Garden</li> <li type="disc">Parking</li> <li type="disc">Live Music</li> <li type="disc">Dogs On Leads Welcome</li> <li type="disc">Regret Children Not Allowed Inside but Very Welcome in the Garden</li> <li type="disc">Catering Provided for Events/Parties/Large Groups - Please Telephone for Details</li> </ul> </div> </div></td> <td rowspan="2" align="center" valign="top" class="bold"><hr width="3px" size="425" /></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="2" class="centre"> <tr> <th align="center" scope="col"><img src="assets/bar.JPG" alt="Inside The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Inside The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Inside The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="210" height="210" /></th> <th align="center" scope="col"><img src="assets/thebell.jpg" alt="Front of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Front of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Front of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="250" height="210" /></th> <th align="center" scope="col"><img src="assets/bellgarden.jpg" alt="Beer Garden at The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Beer Garden at The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Beer Garden at The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="210" height="210" /></th> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td colspan="3"><h2> <div class="centre"> <p>We now have Sky Sports - Watch Six Nations Rugby at The Rat</p> <p>Tuesday 28th February- Quiz Night at the Rat</a></p> </div></h2></p><br /> <div class="left"><p>In the middle of the woods at the very end of Withybed Corner, having negotiated a few potholes on the way (after rain!), is a little haven called The Bell; or ’The Rat’, as that is what The Bell is known as in Walton on the Hill (a small village in Surrey) and the surrounding areas. <p>You will be made very welcome by Gordon and Linda, the proprietors, or one of the friendly bar staff; offered a choice of real ales, lagers, wines or spirits and, if you feel peckish, there are the usual packeted snacks or delicious sandwiches made by a local well-known chef. Warm your feet (and your dog!) by open log fires in winter, and relax by the pond in the beer garden in summer, soaking up the sun.</p> <p>This unspoilt popular village pub is a rarity these days, boasting two small bars (remember public and saloon bars?) and no ‘gastro’ attachment - which is much appreciated by the local clientele.</p> <p>If you time it right on a Sunday, Linda will ply you with delicious roast potatoes, while on Quiz Nights Linda prepares a choice of lovely home-made sandwiches.</p> <p>Every other Sunday is the very popular music night, starting at 7pm, with bands, solos and duos covering Rock, blues, and 60s music.</p> <p>The Bell, The Rat, call it what you will; but a visit is well worth the effort. Pop in for a pint and a chat with the bar staff or friendly ‘regulars’, sit and relax, and enjoy the past and the present merging.</p> </div></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center"> <div class="uline">History of The Bell</div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="63%" valign="top"><div class="left"> The site of the Bell was purchased by the Page & Overton brewery in 1854 and sold Mitcham Ales but only got a wine and spirit licence in 1950. <p></p> <p>Withybed Corner derived its name from the practice of cultivating withies in the local mere. These were used in the manufacture of bricks at the local Brick Foundry. </p> <p>Why The Rat? There are many speculations about this.</p> <p>One is that it got its nickname from WW2 soldiers who served in the Royal Artillery and frequented it. Two other local tales are that when the railways were being constructed it was called the Railway Arms Tavern; and that the stable boys from Epsom drank there as it was an ale house and cheaper than public houses with a full licence. These stable lads were known locally as The Rats.</p> <p>But who knows the true reason. </p> <p>Try your own research and, if you can come up with a verifiable answer, I’m sure the landlord would stand you a pint. </p> <p>The local Village of Walton-on-the Hill is well known for visiting famous politicians and dignitaries, especially during the war as it is tucked away but accessible from London. One local story is that the future King Edward V1 and Mrs Simpson met in The Bell as it was such a secluded venue. A tryst with a twist, what a great name for a cocktail. But no cocktail for Mrs Simpson as it was still an ale house, perhaps she enjoyed a swift half!</p> </div></td> <td width="37%" valign="top"><img src="assets/oldbell1.jpg" alt="Early Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Early Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Early Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="262" height="174" /><br /><br /><img src="assets/oldbell2.jpg" alt="Another Early Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="Another Early Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="Another Early Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="261" height="184" /><br /><br /><img src="assets/oldbell3.jpg" alt="1905 Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" title="1905 Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" longdesc="1905 Picture of The Bell/The Rat, Walton on the Hill" width="262" height="204" /></td> </tr> </table> </body>