The Grantley Arms is enjoying a full renovation under new ownership and is relaunching this month. In the village of Wonersh, near Guildford and the Surrey Hills, the pub is a Grade 2 listed building dating back to 1590. Head Chef Matt Edmonds has joined from Searcy’s The Gherkin where he was Head Chef, and previously enjoyed senior roles at The Army and Navy Club, the Mandeville Hotel, The RAC Club and Penny Hill Park with Michael Wignall.
Matt’s philosophy is central to the new menus he’s created for the bar, and the more formal restaurant. His style is simple, elegant and accessible food and he’s a strong believer in cooking with British produce wherever possible. His menu features ingredients such as South Downs vension, and is regularly changing to reflect the daily deliveries and seasons. Signature dishes include hay-smoked venison with blackberries, and pan-fried Cornish halibut with braised lentils and carrot purée. Breads and butters are all made in-house daily, and micro herbs are also grown on site.
Edmonds has won bronze awards at the Culinary World Cup in 2010 and 2014 and also enjoys his mentoring role with the Craft Guilds of Chefs and the Culinary Academy.
Bought and relaunched by locals Richard Cryer and Chris Frederick the objective was to restore the pub to its former glory and make The Grantley Arms a place for the community to enjoy once again. The food and drinks on offer will support the British farming and burgeoning local wine industry as much as possible, with a large number of English wines on the list and local produce used in the kitchens.
Chris said: “We want this pub to be a central part of village life again and that means both popping in for a glass of wine and reading the papers with the dog at the weekend, to enjoying a 3 course meal with some really special ingredients from Matt and his great team. We really wanted to create a place we could enjoy for all occasions. The pub is still going to feature things like a quiz, but you have the option of eating dishes ranging from fresh diver-caught scallops to burgers, whilst you play.”
The renovation includes restoring the original wooden beams and fireplaces. The 15th Century bakery building is now a striking private dining room, and Cryer and Frederick have plans to open a coffee shop on site.
The wine list is the responsibility of Plamen Yankov from DSTRKT, the Mandeville Hotel, and Searcy’s The Royal Opera House and features the very local Albury Estate, Cornwall’s Camel Valley, Kent’s Chapel Down and Essex’s New Hall. In the New Year there will also be a Black List available featuring rare and premium wines using a Coravin to offer guests the opportunity to try a wide selection of bottles by the glass.
Address: Wonersh, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0PE
