The Harrow is situated on the main road (B3000) in the historic village of Compton. It is an 18th century building with many real oak beams. There is an open fire place which will burn logs during the winter months. The aim is to offer customers a cosy, warm and welcoming environment in which to enjoy good food with fine wines and beer.
The Harrow is a family friendly pub with “local staff serving in this local pub.”  The following are some comments from our customers since we opened:
“It’s nice to have our village pub back”
“It’s great to have affordable food”
“Friendly welcome”
“Excellent”

There is a large car park at the rear with ample outside seating on the patio, in the garden and in the shade by the stream.  There are many wild flowers to be seen as well as a view of Highland cattle in the adjacent field. There is easy access from the pub to the public footpath which leads to the North Downs Way – walkers are always welcome at the pub.

Small functions are well catered for such as Round Table, car clubs and theatre groups. The Harrow also aims to support local groups and the village fete whenever possible.

For further information and sample menus please contact us:

Tel 01483 810594. The Harrow, The Street, Compton, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1EG.

 

The History of  the Harrow at Compton

The deeds of the property date back to 1607. In 1804 Thomas Whitlaw purchased the property and in 1831 he negotiated a mortgage for £500 on the property and grounds of 2 acres which included two tenements, a barn, outhouses, buildings, yard, orchard and garden. Thomas Whitlaw pulled down the tenement and erected a new building on the site which was known as the HARROW. There was a brewhouse and an inn.

When Thomas Whitlaw died the property was left to his daughter-in-law, Mary Whitlaw. The brewhouse was converted into 2 cottages and the inn was leased to Thomas Lascelles in 1872.

Old census documents show that Edward and Martha Clarke from Odiham ran the pub in 1861. Arthur and Mary Cobbett were running the pub in 1891. Arthur died in 1898 and Mary appears to be still running it in 1904. The HARROW had a full licence and there were two beds and stabling. The trade was reported to be ‘good’. By 1911 Harry and Emily Hoare and son are recorded as running it.

Thomas Lascelles and his partner George Tickner purchased the HARROW in 1876. In 1926/7 the share capital was acquired by Friary Holroyd and Healy’s Breweries and the property became a Friary house.

It is interesting to note that the pub has the name Lascelles on it on several old  photographs. In the early 1930′s Major Rudkin who lived at Brook House (on land that was formerly The Bear Public House – incidentally auctioned at The Harrow in 1836) who was also a Councillor and Director of Friary Breweries was instrumental in Compton Parish Council buying the land to the left of the pub for the development of the Village Hall, which was built in 1934.

In 1991 planning permission was granted for 3 self-contained rooms with en suite bathroom at the HARROW. The pub then offered bed and breakfast accommodation as well as an extensive menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It may be that in the future the pub will again offer bed and breakfast as well as good food, fine wines and beer.