The Tudor Lounge, High Street

Published on: 5 Apr, 2012
Updated on: 11 Apr, 2012

The Tudor Rose - access is obtained from 'Milk House Gate'

Approached via one of Guildford’s few remaining, Saxon ‘Gate’s (they used to form the side alleys to all High Street properties, allowing access to their rear gardens and outhouses), the Tudor Lounge is not for anyone who finds stairs impossible or even difficult.

Older Guildfordians will remember the Tudor Rose, as it used to be known, as a traditional English tea house/restaurant and might lament the change of role to cafe/restaurant/late night bar – but needs must when it comes to commercial survival and the business owners are currently making the most of their premises: at weekends it is open until the early hours.

Its multi-role function have resulted in some avant-garde interior decoration which some will find jars with the Tudor structure. Nonetheless, the quirky medieval layout survives enough to create plenty of corners for a cosy cup of tea or coffee. It also seems popular with the lunch time set.

Subject	Comments	Score
*The Tudor Lounge, High Street*
Coffee	Coffee was average. Nothing remarkably good or bad.	3
Cakes	Small selection of pre-wrapped cakes including flapjack and cherry and almond cake. Good value and quality.	3
Menu range	Extensive snack /lunch menu/evening meal menu.	3
Interior	Ancient meets modern. Tudor building with unusual decor including murals and flat screen displays probably chosen to complement the night role as a bar. Traditionalists might not like it. We have awarded an average score but here in particular, it all depends on your taste.	3
Atmosphere	Not many customers when we arrived but it began to fill up as lunch approached and it would not take too many customers to create a cheerfully busy but cosy atmosphere, especially in some of the nooks and crannies.	3
Access	Impossible for anyone who cannot manage stairs.	1
Service	Service polite and helpful and informative. Order brought to table.	3
Information	Menus available at the bar. Wifi available but not tested. No provided newspapers seen.	3
Value for money	For three coffees and cakes £8.10. Very good.	5
Opening hours	Mon: 10am-10pm, Tue: 10am-11pm Wed & Thur: 10am-10pm, Fri:8am-2am, Sat:8am-3pm, Sun:11am-6pm
Address	144 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3HJ Tel:01483 Website: http://www.tudorlounge.co.uk/

Our order - three coffees and cakes - all for £8.10! In the background one of the decorative murals

What they say about themselves:

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, The Tudor Lounge is brought back to you to become your source of sustenance and entertainment from breakfast time till late at night. This historical site has been transformed inside to become a stylish spot for breakfast goers and revellers alike.

Breakfast is served from 10am Monday to Thursday and 8am Friday and Saturday with all the usual tasty treats you would expect from a Traditional English heritage spot. If you don’t think you can handle the Lounge Breakfast then the Breakfast Stack has to be on the agenda; eggy bread stacked with a thick pork sausage and bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Are you hungry yet? Breakfast is served all day (till 9pm), along with a fine selection of main meals, sandwiches, jackets and nibbles.

An evening at the Tudor Lounge is provided for you in sophisticated surroundings with some of the best bar lighting in Guildford and some rather fancy seating for you to enjoy the interactive furniture that literally comes to life after dark!! Well worth a visit just for the experience and we guarantee you’ll be coming back for more.

Click here to see last week’s survey -The Radisson Hotel. Which one will it be next week?