Introducing The Star at Witley
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Let The Star guide you to a place of warmth, comfort and character, serving up an award-winning, unwavering passion for food in simple, delicious dishes that bring local fayre to the fore.
This beautiful country pub located in the village of Witley, Surrey, is the latest opening from Brucan Pubs – hailed the ‘undeniable winner’ of Best Food Offer at the Publican Awards 2023.
From snug sanctuary to summertime suntrap, the roaring fireplaces and cosy corners within give way to an expansive south-facing garden and terrace made suitable for all weathers with a heated pergola and enclosed dining pods.
The Star was a hugely popular local pub that closed its doors in 2021. Brucan Pubs has restored the former love and atmosphere of this 17th-century dwelling whilst putting the community at the very heart of the whole operation.
Get Into Character
A homely place where you can hunker down, this hidden gem has its priorities straight – first and foremost, a local pub and proud to be so, playing an important role in the heart of the community that surrounds it.
Perfect for a post-walk pint in front of the roaring open fire or spending an afternoon basking in the summer sun in the huge all-weather garden out back complete with a heated pergola and pods.
Quintessential country charm awaits in all the quirky nooks and crannies throughout the pub itself. Encased by the original oak beams, exposed brick and stonework, interiors are in keeping with the character of the building with simple, comfortable wooden seating, industrial accents and a light touch of taxidermy.
Deep Rooted Values
Putting the heart back into hospitality, The Star’s co-owners James Lyon Shaw and Jamie Dobbin have dedicated their entire working lives to serving up delicious food for diners. They know what’s important to their staff, their suppliers, and their customers.
The duo’s experience spans a constellation of London’s finest establishments. Jamie has worked at The Berkley, The Connaught, The Savoy, The Ivy and Soho’s Groucho Club, whilst James spent nine years as Head Chef and then Operations Director for gastropub operator ETM Group.
Purpose, innovation and passion for local produce sits at the very core of the Brucan Pub business whose careful sourcing and kitchen standards surrounding training, food waste and sustainability were declared ‘best in class’ by this year’s Publican Awards judges.
The group’s other venues include The Greene Oak (Windsor), The Drumming Snipe (Mayford), and The Greyhound (Finchampstead) as well as a village store and farm shop, Goswell & Birds (Finchampstead).
Like its country pub stablemates, all of The Star’s menus are peppered with a plethora of top-quality suppliers including: Wright Brothers for the freshest fish; Lyons Hill Farm who specialises in sustainable, rare breed meat; and multi-award winning Cabrito Goat Meat. In short, you can expect the food offering in The Star to shine.
Eat
The Star’s seasonal menus change every three months, and no ingredient undergoes unnecessary fuss or faff. These dishes are free of frills and foams, and portions are hearty.
Table dishes are impossible to resist offering addictive Deep fried pickles with stilton dip; Devilled whitebait, tartare; and Beef shin and truffle pasties.
Starters send you out to sea for Roast Coronation crab with toast; Half dozen rock oysters with shallot dressing; and Seared smoked salmon with pea, mint and radish salad dressed with lemon mayonnaise. Then you’re brought back ashore with Steak tartare; Hampshire asparagus with poached hen’s egg; and Rabbit, chicken and ham hock terrine with fennel & apple slaw finished with wild garlic.
Must try mains elevate traditional pub classics using an expertly-sourced spin. Fish and chips is made using whatever lands fresh off the dayboat, traditional Sausage and mash become a whole new proposition with Somerset goat sausage and ale glazed onion gravy, while the cherished pub cheeseburger is made using top quality double chuck and rib.
Sunday roasts are given all the care and attention they deserve alongside the Little Stars kids menus creating the perfect opportunity for gathering the family around a table and focusing on the good things in life.
A monthly programme of supper clubs are ideal for unique date nights or gathering the gang. The theme changes each time but expect to be blown away by the likes of Rare breed Portland lamb and Pinot Noir; and British game and Chianti.
Drink
Whilst food is undoubtedly the main feature, The Star has a relaxed drinking bar with roaring fires in the winter, rotating cask ales, perfectly curated wine lists and a warm welcome assured.
Make a point of trying the house’s own tipple, 9 Mile Ride, a handcrafted London Dry Gin named after the road that links Windsor and Finchampstead. A bespoke distillation exclusively for Brucan Pubs by award winning Hawkridge Distillery, Berkshire, the delicately balanced botanicals deliver bold citrus notes, herbs and coriander alongside warm spices, sweet honey and a warm juniper heart, topped off with a fragrant, floral finish.
Take a chilled glass outside into the sensitively landscaped garden and dining terrace – an al fresco spot to enjoy socialising with friends and family all year round.
With a behind-the-scenes dream team already gaining industry recognition and big plans afoot for the year ahead, it’s safe to say that The Star, Witley is rising.
