The Three Pigeons is a quintessential British alehouse and traditional English pub situated at the top of Guildford’s High street, opposite to Holy Trinity Church and next door to the George Abbot Hospital. Its prime location means it is easily accessible by foot if you are in Central Guildford and lays claim to being the only pub on Guildford High Street.
Unfortunately fire badly damaged the 19th century pub in 1916, but luckily it was rebuilt two years later with the design of the new frontage inspired by a late 17th century house on Oxford’s High Street. The current building, like many other places in Guildford’s historic Town Centre is reputed to be haunted, just like the Tunsgate Arches and the Angel Hotel which also feature on the High Street.
The Three Pigeons has a stunning façade (as you can see from the picture), reminiscent of an age where markets were laid out on cobbled streets and castles dominated the town skyline… We should be very grateful that we have such delightful attractions in our quaint, but busy town in an era of chains and multinationals. The Three Pigeons, is one such place which still has an air of medieval enchantment about it and sets itself apart in that regard.
Inside, the pub has low hanging ceilings, dark wooden fixtures, rustic red carpets and beautiful Georgian windows; a truly unique and timeless experience. Not only that, but there is a huge iron spiral staircase that links the downstairs bar to the upstairs seating area (where a secondary bar is opened when busy) and there are sloping, creaking floorboards that give an antiquated but charming feel to the place.
On the menu is your traditional combination of pub food; a selection of burgers, steaks, fish dishes, sharing platters and pies. However, there are also ‘Dishes for under 500 calories’, ‘Pastas, salads and Risottos’ and ‘Sandwiches, Ciabattas and Flatbreads’ for those looking for something a little lighter perhaps. Not to mention the two meals for just £10.45 which includes a choice of the Classic Beef Burger, British Wholetail Scampi and Chips, Cumberland Sausages and Mash, Pappardelle & Goat’s Cheese Pasta, BBQ Chicken Melt and the Spicy Sweet Potato Salad. This remarkably is on all day, every day as well as the 2-for-1 desserts offer where you have a choice of the Five-Layered Chocolate Cake, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Luxury Belgian Chocolate Brownie, Bramley Apple Crumble and the Peach or Chocolate Sundae.
Other offers on food and drink include getting 50% off food, all day, every Tuesday and 2-for-1 cocktails every Friday evening from 5pm! If you are more of a beer drinker, then fear not as they have the ‘Cask Ale Collectors Card’ which gets you your ninth pint of Cask Ale absolutely free after collecting eight stamps.
The Three Pigeons, colloquially known locally as ‘The Three Pigs’ or ‘Three P’s’ is the stand out pub to go to for character. It’s a must not miss on any pub crawl of Guildford and a great little place to go for a quiet beer during the day, with a livelier and warmer atmosphere in the evening.
James Martin