A well known Guildford institution, taken over by Shepherd Neame and spruced up a bit, after being a bit run down. A pub for more than 400 years and famous for live music and entertainment, with band and performances taking place in the back-room bar, down a corridor displaying photographs of various artists. Performances are as diverse as blues, rock, stand-up comedy and an the 'adult' pantomime that takes place at Christmas. In 1974 the founding members of The Stranglers, then called the Guildford Stranglers, gave their first public performance, an event commemorated on a plaque presented by CAMRA in 2006. In July 2019 the pub won a landmark legal judgement when a noise abatement notice issued by Guildford Council was been overturned by a district judge. The pub itself is an engaging mishmash of inter-connected drinking areas, wooden beams and low ceilings, on a number of different levels. A wood-burning stove, heats the huge sofas and table at one end, whilst the bar itself caters for vertical drinkers towards the rear and an area, popular with diners during the day, occupies the lower level. Throughout the dimly lit pub are photographs associated with pubs and brewing.