Barley Mow

Originally a 16th century cottage, where the owner was first licensed to sell ale in 1568.

This building was originally a two-bay cottage with a timber roof. A smoke bay was inserted after 1568, and the remains still exist in the loft. Later another cross wing was added to the north, plus another bay at the far end.  An inglenook fireplace was added onto the back wall of the original open hall. At this time there was a priest hole built in, with access to the kitchen. The timber building was rendered in the 19th century. The Barley Mow is a Grade II listed building.

The building began as a small cottage, then, in 1568, former pike man Thomas Farley applied for a licence to sell ale from his cottage. The ale possibly came from The Red Lion – now Church House – where the ale was brewed for the parish. In 1618, the building was named ‘The Mount Eagle’ after the Montague family who owned West Horsley Manor from 1554-1642. The Montagues were Catholic Royalists, and during the Civil War the estate was sequestered by Parliament, and The Mount Eagle quickly became The Harrow.  In 1751, the Red Lion closed and The Harrow began brewing its own ale and changed its name again to ‘The Barley Mow.’  A brew house was added to the north end and a malt house built onto the stables. Around 1900, a south wing was built to provide teas for the growing numbers of cyclists.