It's a very good question! On the morning of Friday 11th September 2009 it burnt down... all by itself. Err.. well not exactly.
A garden fire, that had been doused with water several times, somehow re-started and some stray sparks must have jumped to the rear of the barn, where some old and very dry hay had been kept for the two goats that used to reside at the Surrey Oaks. The rest is history. Several fire engines turned up, but it was too late to save the barn. Most of the Surrey Oaks stock and lots of personal belongings were lost, several of which were irreplaceable.
Fortunately the barn and the pub are not joined, so it's business as usual.
The 'excitement' was captured by Dan Proctor in the two photographs below.
Last updated: 17th Oct 2009