The Old Nuns Head, Nunhead, SE15

Hidden round the corner of a bland new build is this lovely Brewers Tudor-style timbered building with leaded windows. Staple shaped interior via two knock-throughs that hint at the previous partitions though it retains some old touches like boxed wood panelling on all the walls. The annoying hipster chairs got on my wick and the brightly-coloured mural on the chimney breast threatened the same but at least I didn’t have to sit on it. Seven pumps with six ales (split between Belleville and ELB) and Westons cider. Belleville was a new one on me so I went for the Session IPA (fine), Brownstone (under-par – aspiratored beyond reason is my educated guess) and the ELB Quadrant (good). Pints well-over 4 quid, aiming at the moneyed end of the market. It’s worth popping in if you are nearby but I wouldn’t necessarily divert for it. 6.5

This is a large inter-war roadside pub built in Brewer's Tudor style and currently operated by the Laine Brewing Company, who have a number of similar, community focussed pubs spread across the capital. A former multiple room interior has been knocked through, leaving a long U-shaped single room which runs around a centrally positioned servery. The corner entrance leads you into a quaint lounge area on the left hand side of the building, where standard and banquette seating has been arranged under pastel shaded walls decorated with old paintings. A nice fireplace stands on the end wall and there was also a nook with shelves full of bric-a-brac and, apropos of nothing, a full suit of armour stood near the toilets (a quirk repeated in the People's Park Tavern - another Laine Brewing pub). The servery runs along the back wall of the pub's mid-section and has what appears to be a relatively new counter and bar back, with the surrounding walls decorated in modern floral wallpaper. Opposite there are a few comfy looking padded bench booths, each lit by small, candle-shaped, wall mounted lights. The right hand side of the pub is a fair bit larger than the lounge and has a couple of banquettes either side of the main entrance, with standard tables and chairs filing the rest of the bare boarded space. Another smart fireplace can be found on the far wall with a nice mirror above and several other mirrors positioned down the same side. The room has a nice traditional feel to it, perhaps as a result of the high dark wood panels, upon which a collection of beer bottles can be viewed and a large set of bull's horns hang. The rear corner was very dark but hinted at further seating and a few people seemed to be heading this way, perhaps to a rear garden? Stairs lead up to a space which a sign described as the 'Famous Panelled Lounge', but a ticketed gig was in progress when I arrived, so I was unable to take a look. Suffice to say, its fame had previously passed me by. The pub puts on a regularly changing street food menu, with some interesting Thai dishes available on this particular visit. I think I counted eight handpulls in total, with options on this visit comprising Laines Stout and 48, Gipsy Hill Beatnik and Southpaw, Hackney New Zealand Pale Ale and ELB Foundation Bitter. The keg range included several more Laines brews plus some other small batch stuff. The Beatnik, served to me by a very friendly and helpful barman, cost £4.05, but I did notice a sign stating that all cask beer is £3.00 a pint on Mondays. Sadly, the £4.05 got me a pretty ropey pint of the Beatnik, which tainted an otherwise enjoyable visit. I quite liked the feel of this pub and enjoyed relaxing in the dark, atmospheric main bar. I would like to think that the bad pint was a one off and I would certainly consider giving this place a second chance, especially if it means I can take a look at their renowned lounge.

Why do these places think that sofas & low tables are comfortable in a pub, and how do they make money from the glass-of-orange-will-last-me-all-match types that this stylee attracts? That said, the other side did have better wooden tables & chairs and there were four ales on incl Spitfire & Everards Sunchaser, albeit £3.10.

Nice locals pub selling food but they have 8 handpumps.Good outside space.Couple of Twickenham beers amongst the 8 beers and a very good pint of Bellville -Commonside pale.

Official site of the Old Nuns Head - www.theoldnunshead.co.uk

Official site of the Old Nuns Head - www.theoldnunshead.co.uk