Inside UK’s ‘most beautiful’ McDonald’s with its own ‘beer garden’ built inside historic old pub near idyllic woods
SET in the leafy Surrey Green Belt, surrounded by grass and woods, and with an abundance of wildlife on its doorstep, McDonald’s in Earlswood is not your average fast food joint.
Housed in a former Victorian pub, the restaurant on Horley Road, a stone’s throw from East Surrey Hospital and the busy commuter town of Redhill, is visited by more than 640,000 hungry customers a year – as well as DEER and RABBITS.
Its picturesque setting and elegant façade, which boasts sash windows and an ornate white entrance porch, is a big draw for fast food fans, with some dubbing it “Britain’s prettiest McDonald’s.”
The locally-listed Reigate Stone building was constructed in the 1820s and originally home to the Prince Albert pub.
It then became a Mongolian barbecue restaurant, before transforming into a McDonald’s in the early 2000s.
In recent years the exterior has been restored to its former glory, with the original brickwork exposed, and there is also a tranquil outside patio area with wooden tables and chairs, overlooking a field and woods.
Even the iconic McDonald’s sign is in-keeping with the building’s historic roots as it hangs from the original pub signpost – and the drive thru has been sympathetically added with lots of green landscaping, where litter picks take place twice a day.
In contrast, the interior has been giving a slick modern makeover, with white tiles, black and white chairs and pops of yellow colour over the counter.
“The outside space is lovely in the summer and if you sit there long enough you can see a whole fields of rabbits,” said local resident Mike Edwards.
“It’s very pleasant and calming. There is also a playground close by so I often used to bring my kids here for lunch, then take them to the playground.”
A regular, who did not want to be named, said he had travelled all around the UK for work and thought it was the “prettiest” McDonald’s.
“It’s in a perfect spot,” he added.
Visiting the restaurant has become part of his morning routine for local, Lee Mason, from Redhill, who had popped in for a coffee with his dog Bodhi.
“I come here every morning and always look out for the deer and rabbits, which is a highlight, and the staff are lovely too.
“If I have Bodhi with me we sit outside, then go for a
walk,” he said.
Mum Louise O’Doherty, from nearby Horley, who had stopped for breakfast with her two children Florence, six, and Toby, eight, said they visited frequently as it was their nearest McDonald’s.
She said: “It’s our local McDonald’s, so we come here frequently. We maybe take it for granted, but it’s lovely with all the green outside area.”
Customer Geoff Neal, from Redhill, said the restaurant was “very picturesque” and added: “In the summer a lot of people sit out on the grass.
“You don’t realise how close it is to a town and a major A&E hospital because it is so green.
“You get deer and rabbits here most days and the park is just nearby. It’s a more comforting environment than being in a high street.”
McDonald’s Franchisee Mark Schweizer, who owns and operates the restaurant and another 17 in and around Surrey, said: “I’ve been the proud local owner of the Earlswood restaurant since 2021 and the building has undergone various improvements within that time.
“This includes restoring the exterior to its former glory, and reinvesting in the interior to help deliver a better experience for customers and crew as part of our Convenience of the Future
revamp programme.”
Axed McDonald’s menu item ‘returns’ to UK as eagle-eyed shoppers spot dupe in bargain shop
AN axed McDonald’s menu item has “returned” to the UK as eagle-eyed shoppers spot a dupe in a bargain shop.
Customers could not believe their luck after spotting a dupe for Cheesey Garlic Bites at The Company Shop, a surplus food and goods distributor.
The savvy shopper stumbled across a 1kg bag of a product that looked almost identical to the Maccie’s side, and it cost just £5.
The discovery comes months after the home of the Golden Arches removed the side from its menus, to make way for a host of new items.
McDonald’s made the snack from mozzarella, flavouring it with garlic and chives in a ciabatta-style breadcrumb coating.
Alongside this, the shopper also stumbled across an almost identical-looking bag of Maccie’s Nuggets and a 2.4kg bag of fries, which cost £2.50.
The deal was shared on the UKNewestFood Instagram page, with shoppers quickly chiming in to praise the find.
One person said: “These chicken nuggets and chips taste exactly the same as McDonald’s. I have bought them myself several times now.”
While another person said: “I’m defo paying this place a visit.”
The Company Shop sells products from retailers like M&S and Asda for as much as 60% off the retail price but you need a membership to shop in one of its stores.
To qualify for a free membership card, you need to have a job in the care services (such as working for the NHS), be a member of the police or fire service, or work for a charity.
You can also get a membership card if you are on means tested benefits or claiming the state pension.
It’s not the first time shoppers have spotted products that look like Maccies goods in store.
Customers were convinced the retailer was selling the pork filling of McDonald’s McRib back in March.
Maccies briefly brought the option back in October last year, selling McRib for £4.49 for single burger, and £6.19 as part of a medium extra value meal.
Other shoppers have claimed to find £5 bags of 20 its iconic apple pies and also spotted camembert cheese bites.
You can find your nearest Company Shop by visiting companyshopgroup.co.uk/our-stores/company-shop/store-locations.