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Under the same ownership since 1994 this is an excellent traditional village inn with a warm welcome for all. The Crossways is in the centre of the village of Churt and is at the centre of village life. There is a comfortable saloon bar and an old-fashioned, quarry-tiled “public” with a dartboard.
One regular ale and three changing guest beers, they usually include local ales and a stout or porter. If a beer is not up to standard it will be changed without question and removed from sale. The pub is not doing food however drinkers are welcome to bring their own sandwiches or similar. Food may feature in future, phone the pub to confirm.
Four traditional ciders are usually available and may be from any independent cider-maker.
The Crossways is within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the South Downs National Park amidst good walking country, including Frensham Ponds and Common, the Devil’s Punchbowl, Gibbet Hill, Waggoners’ Wells and Alice Holt Forest. Other attractions nearby include Thursley National Nature Reserve, The Rural Life Centre, The Sculpture Park and several attractive villages such as Tilford, on the River Wey.
Historic Interest
In 1871 Arthur Chuter was the “public house keeper” and bricklayer. He was still the publican at the Crossways in 1881 when it was called ‘The Shant’ in the census returns. According to the 1891 census John Nicholas Baker was publican and carpenter living at the Crossways Inn. It was called The Cross Roads Inn in some trade directories.
A 19th century photograph shows it as a simple cottage-style building with a central porch and bay windows either side. The front of the pub proclaimed “Trimmer’s Fine Ales and London Stout”; George Trimmer was a hop grower and brewer in Farnham.
In 1889 Trimmer’s became part of the Farnham United Breweries who, in 1895 purchased the Crossways Inn was for £1,000. It was rebuilt at a cost of £599/4/10 and improved with a further expenditure of £31/10/0. This rebuild resulted in the pub looking much as it does today. By 1901 the publican was Silas Mullard. In this census return, although the pub has reverted to its original name, the lane, now known as Hale House Lane, was called Shant Lane. The pub was still known as The Shant by many locals well into the 20th century. Silas’ son Montague Mullard later advertised carriage (Victoria and Brougham) hire and coal and coke sales from the premises. He also offered Luncheons and Teas. Current landlady Teresa Ewens and her late husband Paul took over in 1994.
N.B. Thanks are due to Churt Heritage for much of the above information: (https://churtheritage.co.uk/crossways-public-house)
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
A partly tile-hung pub with an interwar, flat-roofed addition on the left. The small public bar on the right has a red and black quarry-tiled floor, old half-height panelled walls and old fireplace (but new brick infill): sadly the bench seating has been removed. The counter is perhaps a 1960s replacement for a hatch. The larger L-shaped left-hand saloon includes the interwar extension and consisted of two rooms until 1966 when the present counter was installed. Look for the oval mirror in the public bar advertising ‘Mann Crossman Beers – its the malt that matters’.
Small 19th century pub of brick, stone and part tile hung. The left hand section was rebuilt in the 1930s (or just post-war) when a toilet block was added on the right. Originally three small rooms it retains a separate small public bar on the right and a L-shaped saloon bar on the left, which was two rooms until 1966.
On the right the small public bar is little altered with its black and red quarry tiled floor laid diagonally, old half-height panelled walls, old fireplace (with new brick infill), but old bench seating has been removed and the counter may have replaced a hatch possibly c1960. Look for the oval mirror in the public advertising 'Mann Crossman Beers - its the malt that matters'.
The left hand inner door has a very 1930s 'Saloon' on it and leads to a bar with a dado of a distinct 1950s style which incorporates bench seating down the far left side. The bar counter only dates from 1966 but the style carefully matches the wall panelling. The 1930s urinals in the gents remain.
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This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 1 regular beer. Usually a mixture of locally sourced ales including a dark beer
Crossways Inn, Churt
Source: Regional
Garden
Parking
Dog Friendly
Games
Separate Bar
Smoking
Real Ale
Real Cider
Real Heritage Pub
LocAle
Beer Festival
Quiet
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