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Welcome To The Pavilion by Howling Owl
The Pavilion by Howling Owl is a vibrant café nestled in the scenic Holloway Hill Pavilion, Godalming. It seamlessly blends a contemporary atmosphere with a charming outdoor setting overlooking cricket matches. The café offers an impressive array of delights, from artisanal pastries—like croissants and pain au chocolat—to indulgent cakes such as the beloved Victoria sponge. Hot snacks, including bacon baps and gourmet quiches, tempt casual diners. Patrons rave about the barista-quality coffee and standout sourdough pizzas, rivaling even the most popular spots. It’s a welcoming hub for the community, complete with friendly service and a relaxed vibe, perfect for gatherings and lazy afternoons.
About
The Pavilion by Howling Owl
Welcome to The Pavilion by Howling Owl, a delightful new addition to the culinary landscape of Godalming, where the charm of a traditional cricket pavilion meets modern café culture. Nestled in the scenic Holloway Hill Pavilion at Busbridge Rec, The Pavilion offers an energizing atmosphere perfect for socializing or relaxing after a game.
As you step inside, you'll be greeted by a vibrant space that boasts a unique apres-ski vibe—ideal for unwinding with friends over premium barista-quality coffee or a selection of expertly crafted cold beers and wines. The menu features a tempting array of pastries that include the classic Plain Croissant, delicious Pain Au Chocolate, and sweet Pain Aux Raisin. You can enhance these treats with a touch of Jam or Butter, creating a perfect pairing for your morning or afternoon break.
Don’t overlook the snacks! Whether you’re craving some Fruit for a healthy boost or indulging in Pringles or Salt and Vinegar Crisps, there's something for every palate to enjoy. As many customers like Charles have noted, the homemade sourdough pizzas are an absolute must-try—so good that they rival even the famed Franco Manca!
With a focus on community, The Pavilion has become a welcoming hub for all ages, offering not only great cuisine but also an inviting environment. Visitor reviews speak highly of the staff's friendliness and the accommodating service, such as Bea's thoughtful assistance that can make a family outing smoother.
Moreover, the lovely decking area overlooks the cricket pitches, making it a scenic spot to enjoy sundowners, watch the game, or savor a delightful slice of cake—just like Charlotte's memorable iced latte and cake experience in the sunshine.
Perfect for both casual gatherings and special celebrations, The Pavilion by Howling Owl stands out as a fantastic venue. Whether hosting a birthday party or enjoying a serene afternoon with your doggo, the team, led by Wendy, is committed to making your visit enjoyable. With delicious food, a warm ambiance, and picturesque surroundings, The Pavilion is not just a café but a beloved community staple in Godalming. We highly recommend stopping by to experience it for yourself!
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“ The Owl is a much needed and wonderful transformation of the ageing Cricket Pavilion into a modern, energetic cafe with an apres-ski style atmosphere for sundowners. Barista quality coffee, the best value paninis you'll find in a GU postcode and a great selection of cold beers/wines. When umpiring, the smell of sourdough pizzas (which are better than Franco Manca's) is quite a distraction. Loving the new decking overlooking the cricket pitches where Godalming CC's teams of all ages play! Massive congratulations to Wendy and the team and keep up the good work! (Noted that the spiteful review below was from an unruly, foul-mouthed group of boys purposefully trying to upset the calm and family-oriented environment. Don't come back.) ”
“ We were very impressed with this gorgeous little venue today. We stopped by late afternoon for a post tennis iced latte & cake break and sat outside in the beautiful sunshine with the doggoes (who were also made to feel very welcome). We loved the decor, music, relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the welcoming staff. This is one of the nicest cafes we've been to in the area and the bonus of the lovely surroundings of Holloway Hill rec. We will most definitely be back. Would 100% recommend. ”
“ Bea was our waitress today and she was really friendly and patient with us and our baby. She was smiling and offering us different options depending our likes. Thank you Bea for making our Sunday easier with a little one (: ”
“ Wendy and team helped us host a surprise birthday gathering for my husband's 50th. The team were incredibly helpful, the food delicious and the drinks were flowing. The venue is great for this type of gathering - I would thoroughly recommend it. ”
“ We held our daughters’ joint birthday party here earlier this year. The team were so helpful, with great suggestions and so accommodating. The party itself was great a lovely atmosphere, food was delicious and everyone had such a nice time! Thank you! ”
“ Fantastic visit to The Pavilion! Great venue for my friends baby shower, very easy to organise hiring out part of the space for a large group with Wendy. Would definitely recommend! ”
“ I always enjoy going to The Howling Owl with friends or family. The cakes, tray bakes and coffee are always good and the service is too. The only food I’ve eaten other than the cakes is their paninis which are also very yummy. The only thing that can sometimes be hard is leaving the pram outside if it’s busy if I go with my baby daughter as I can’t use a carrier due to my back being damaged in pregnancy and I feel a bit worried about having her in the car seat on the floor with hot drinks in mugs/ cups high up on tables. We love looking out across the recreation ground and parking is usually easy as the car park is fairly big. ”
“ Howling Owl arranged the Wake for Ron a regular visitor to the cafe for Coffee and Millionaires Shortbread until he was unable to walk to the Rec. Thank you for a lovely spread - including tea and millionaires shortbread at 4pm. Nothing was too much trouble. ”