The Best Pubs in Epsom Worth Visiting

Epsom has a varied pub scene, with everything from traditional locals and lively town-centre venues to country pubs and unique places to eat and drink around Epsom Downs.

For anyone exploring pubs in Epsom, the variety means there is somewhere to suit every occasion. You might be looking for a good Sunday roast, somewhere to watch the football with friends, a quiet pint in a traditional local or a pub to visit after a walk across the Downs.

The interesting thing is that Epsom’s best pubs aren’t all trying to offer the same thing. Each has its own character, setting and reason to visit.

Here are some of the Epsom pubs worth knowing about.

The Rubbing House

Few pubs in Epsom can compete with The Rubbing House for location. Sitting on Epsom Downs overlooking the Racecourse, it is a particularly good choice if you want to combine food or drinks with time spent exploring one of the area’s best-known landmarks.

Its connection with horse racing goes back more than two centuries. The building was originally used as a shelter where racehorses could be rubbed down, and the site became a public house in 1801.

Today, The Rubbing House is more food-led, with Mediterranean influences alongside familiar gastropub dishes and dedicated Sunday roasts. A large outdoor area takes advantage of the Racecourse setting, making this a particularly appealing choice when the weather is good.

Best for: Racecourse views, outdoor dining and combining a pub visit with Epsom Downs.

The Derby Arms

Another strong option near Epsom Racecourse is The Derby Arms, though the experience is noticeably different from that at The Rubbing House.

Situated opposite the Racecourse, The Derby Arms has the feel of a country pub, combining traditional character with more polished, contemporary interiors. Food plays an important role, with familiar pub favourites alongside more substantial dishes and dedicated Sunday dining.

There is also outdoor space for alfresco food and drinks, while private dining and event facilities make it well-suited to larger groups and celebrations.

For visitors spending time around the Downs, The Derby Arms offers the chance to enjoy a traditional country-pub experience without travelling far from Epsom itself.

Best for: A polished country-pub experience, Sunday dining and group meals near Epsom Downs.

Tattenham Corner

If The Rubbing House is about Racecourse views and history, and The Derby Arms offers the country-pub experience, Tattenham Corner is arguably the most social of the pubs surrounding Epsom Downs.

Its location on Tattenham Crescent puts the Racecourse nearby. The large garden overlooks the Downs, while additional indoor and upstairs spaces provide plenty of room for eating, drinking, and larger gatherings.

Food follows a modern British pub approach, with familiar favourites, dishes cooked on a robata grill, and Sunday roasts. However, it is the pub’s versatility that really distinguishes it.

On quieter days, the garden and views make it somewhere to stop after a walk across Epsom Downs. On major race days, the atmosphere becomes considerably livelier, with racing shown on big screens and the pub becoming part of the wider occasion.

Best for: Race days, groups, garden drinks and a lively afternoon overlooking Epsom Downs.

The Jolly Coopers

For a more traditional independent pub, The Jolly Coopers offers something different.

Located on Wheelers Lane near Epsom Common, this historic free house has a strong local identity and a particular focus on beer. Its own Fuzzchat Brewery began brewing on site in 2018, reviving commercial brewing in Epsom after a gap of around 90 years, and even the name has local roots. “Fuzzchat” is an old term for somebody born on Epsom Common.

Alongside its own beer, the pub offers guest ales and craft beers, while traditional pub food and Sunday roasts are served in a separate dining room.

With a secluded garden, traditional bar and welcoming approach to dogs, The Jolly Coopers feels very much like a proper neighbourhood pub rather than a destination created around the Racecourse.

Best for: Locally brewed beer, traditional pub character and a Sunday roast near Epsom Common.

The Marquis of Granby

For those looking for pubs in Epsom town centre, The Marquis of Granby combines convenience with plenty of traditional character.

Located on West Street opposite Epsom’s marketplace and within easy walking distance of the station, it occupies a Grade II-listed building dating from the 18th century. Exposed beams, wood panelling and other period features give it the atmosphere of an established British pub despite its central location.

Its appeal lies largely in its versatility. You can stop for a casual drink, meet friends for food, watch major sporting events or spend an evening enjoying live music or other entertainment.

There are also outdoor areas at the front and rear, making it a useful all-round option for people who want to stay in the centre of Epsom.

Best for: Convenient town-centre drinks, meeting friends and a traditional pub with a sociable atmosphere.

The Faraday

The Faraday provides a very different take on the Epsom town-centre pub.

Situated on Church Street, this is one of the stronger choices when the priority is a lively atmosphere, live sport and a night out with friends. Multiple screens show everything from football and rugby to Formula 1, boxing and cricket, while karaoke and other entertainment add to its more energetic character.

The food reflects that social approach, with burgers, wings, pizzas and small plates suited to informal groups. Craft beer and cocktails also feature prominently, alongside options such as bottomless brunch.

It isn’t trying to recreate a quiet country pub or traditional local. The Faraday is somewhere to go when the pub itself is part of the entertainment.

Best for: Live sport, groups, casual food and lively drinks in Epsom town centre.

The Barley Mow

Tucked away on Pikes Hill, just off Epsom’s Upper High Street, The Barley Mow offers a quieter alternative to some of the busier pubs in the centre of town.

The traditional, rustic interior, with alcoves and seating around a central bar, gives it the feel of an established neighbourhood local. The food follows a similarly straightforward approach, with familiar pub favourites such as fish and chips and pies alongside seasonal menus.

An enclosed garden adds to its appeal in warmer weather, while dogs are welcome throughout the pub, and families are well catered for.

The Barley Mow’s appeal lies in offering the uncomplicated experience of a good local pub within easy reach of central Epsom.

Best for: A quiet pint, traditional pub food, families and dog-friendly drinks close to the town centre.

Ye Olde Kings Head

For those who prefer their pubs with a little more history, Ye Olde Kings Head on Church Street is one of Epsom’s most traditional options.

Its Grade II-listed building dates from the 18th century and is claimed to be one of Epsom’s oldest pubs. Inside, horse-racing pictures, a traditional one-bar layout and real fires in winter reinforce its old-fashioned character.

The food is similarly familiar, with classic pub dishes and traditional Sunday roasts, and real ale remains part of the bar’s appeal.

Ye Olde Kings Head offers a different experience to the lively atmosphere of The Faraday and the Racecourse setting of pubs on the Downs, with its appeal instead lying in its cosy, traditional character and historic surroundings. Best for: Historic character, real ale, traditional pub food and cosy winter drinks.

Which Epsom pub should you choose?

The best pub will naturally depend on what you want from your visit.

For a Sunday roast in Epsom, The Jolly Coopers offers the combination of a traditional independent pub and locally brewed beer, while The Derby Arms and Tattenham Corner are strong options if you would prefer to be closer to the Downs.

For outdoor drinks, Tattenham Corner and The Rubbing House stand out because their outdoor areas make the Epsom Downs and racecourse setting very close. The Barley Mow offers a more secluded neighbourhood garden.

Dog owners may want to consider The Jolly Coopers or The Barley Mow, while anyone looking for live sport will find The Faraday particularly well-suited to watching major fixtures with friends.

For a traditional pub, Ye Olde Kings Head and The Jolly Coopers both have plenty of character, although the latter is the obvious choice for anyone particularly interested in locally brewed beer.

And if you simply want drinks in Epsom town centre, The Marquis of Granby provides the traditional all-round option, while The Faraday offers the livelier alternative.

Discovering Epsom with The Personal Agent

The variety of pubs in Epsom is another reflection of what makes the town such an appealing place to live.

There are lively places to meet friends in the centre, traditional neighbourhood locals and country-pub experiences around the Downs, all sitting alongside Epsom’s restaurants, shops, schools, green spaces and excellent transport connections.

At The Personal Agent, our knowledge of Epsom extends well beyond its property market. Understanding the individual neighbourhoods, amenities and places people spend their time is an important part of helping buyers decide where they would most like to live.

If you are considering making Epsom your home, you can learn more about the area in our Epsom area guide, or take a look at the latest homes available through The Personal Agent.