Outside the Coach & Horses
Unfortunately this pub is not my local, but I try to pop in at least once a month. It still has the atmosphere of a village pub, although it was originally a coaching inn and has been in Barnes for about 200 years.
The Coach and Horses retains many of its original features, including wood panelling and both stained and etched glass windows.
Etched Glass Window
The entrance lies back from the street, across the cobbles that would have been trod by the nineteenth century horse drawn coaches. Once you've opened the door to the bar you're assured of a warm welcome, especially if the coal fire is blazing away on a cold day.
Open Fire and Night Lights Fire Screen
Otherwise you will have to rely on the friendliness of the locals, who are happy to chat away with you. Some of the drinkers come in accompanied by their dogs, and the previous landlord's pet pooch, Buster, was a regular feature in the bar area.
As well as enjoying the ambience and having a good natter, most people would visit a pub for something to drink. Being a Young's pub, the Coach and Horses offers a good selection of keg beers, each one with a short description of its particular qualities and strength. Of course you can also drink the other usual alcoholic suspects and soft drinks that would be found in any pub too.
The Coach & Horses Bar
Should you feel peckish, or even starving, you can lunch or snack between 12pm and 3pm and dine between 6pm and 9pm. The menu changes depending on availability but often includes light bites such as mini Scotch eggs (a quail's egg encased in wild boar sausage), scampi with tartar sauce, sandwiches, salads and homemade soup. If your appetite is not satisfied by these offerings, you can fill yourself further with fish, steak or burger and chips. Or you could go for traditional pub food and enjoy steak and Young's ale pie, served with mash, gravy and vegetables, bangers and mash with onion gravy, homemade cottage pie or creamy fish pie, to name but a few dishes. If you're still hungry after this delicious pub grub, you can indulge your sweet tooth further with a comforting dessert such as sticky toffee pudding or melting chocolate sponge. All the food is cooked on the premises and sourced from the best British ingredients where available, and the eggs are all free range. Some dishes can also be ordered in child size portions.
When the weather is fine you can take your food and drink out into the extensive but secluded pub garden.
Barnes Biggest Secret Garden
The Pub end of the Garden
Smokers can enjoy a puff outside, whilst keeping warm wrapped up in one of the blankets that are thoughtfully supplied for their use. You could also huddle around the coal fired cheminea if your cigarette doesn't generate enough heat to keep you warm.
In July, Richard Ainge became the general manager of the Coach and Horses. He helpfully stays out front by the bar, whilst Elodie (his girlfriend) remains behind the scenes taking care of the kitchen. They've got some mouth-wateringly different dishes planned for the Christmas season, including Christmas day itself, when the larger Walnut Room (serving 45 people) will also be available. Their menu is available for download on the
website.
