The Plough & Harrow

The Plough & Harrow is a beautifully renovated 1930s pub tucked away in Long Ditton, part of the Heartwood Inns group. The renovation kept the character while adding the kind of touches that make a real difference to a visit. The standout feature is the retractable-roof garden room — proper sunshine when the weather cooperates, shelter when it doesn't. It's the sort of engineering that means you can book a sunny weekend lunch without watching the forecast anxiously. Families are genuinely catered for with a children's play area, not just tolerated with a token high chair. Dog owners get even better treatment — a dedicated 'Sir Woofchester' dog menu and a Woof Brew barrel. It's one of the few pubs in the area where bringing the dog feels like it's actively encouraged rather than grudgingly permitted. Restaurant Guru rates it 4.5 out of 5, and the kitchen does solid British gastropub cooking — roasts on Sunday, burgers done properly, seasonal specials. **Why it's an Editor's Pick:** The pub that ticks every box — families, dogs, sunshine, rain, good food — without feeling like it's trying too hard. The retractable roof alone makes it worth the trip to Long Ditton.