Visit to the Rubbing House - Thursday 19th February 2009
About 29 members and guests led by Pat Hunt and his wife Sue ascended to the top of Epsom Downs on a dry but overcast day to sample the food and liquid refreshment offered by the Rubbing House which is close to the finishing post alongside the famous Derby racecourse.
It is not known when the original hostelry was built but by 1801 it had officially become a public house. In 1857 it was destroyed by fire and the Downs Hotel (as it was then called) was rebuilt in 1866 but was prevented from facing the end of the racecourse where it could pose serious opposition to the Grandstand. The hotel was refurbished in 1968 and the name reverted to the Rubbing House, which is thought to originate from a shelter at the end of the racecourse where horses were rubbed down after races.
We were comfortably seated in the function room away from the main arteries of the pub which is very tastefully decorated in warm colours. Having all chosen from a fairly extensive menu we enjoyed a delightful meal accompanied by a drink or two.
Our normal monthly club meeting had been cancelled two weeks earlier due to twelve inches of snow so the opportunity was not missed by the club’s President, John Mills, to announce future outings which have been planned for 2009 and to offer a vote of thanks to Pat and his wife for having organised a most enjoyable and relaxing lunch.
Pat Hunt
Pictures with thanks to Sue Hunt
