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Picture of The Rockingham Arms (JD Wetherspoon)
Image posted by peter ashworth
Submitted on Saturday, 5th May 2018
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The Rockingham Arms (JD Wetherspoon), Elephant & Castle, SE1

Metro Central Heights, Newington Causeway
SE1
SE1 6BN
Phone: 02079400890
Correct details

Pub Type

J D Wetherspoon

Served areas

Reviews of The Rockingham Arms (JD Wetherspoon) (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Tris C left this review about The Rockingham Arms (JD Wetherspoon)

Opened on 1st November 2000, this is another pub with a Wetherspoon’s upcycled name, the original incarnation dating from the late 18th century, demolished in the 1950s to make way for what was originally built as the Ministry of Health’s grade II-listed (and Civic Trust Award-winning) Alexander Fleming House, making this the only pub in a building designed by an architect whose name was appropriated by Ian Fleming for a Bond villain: the name’s Goldfinger. ErnÅ‘ Goldfinger.
Aside from the all-pervasive smell of vomit, the unusually plain interior is probably unchanged since previous reviews, with the floor tiling exhibiting dried sticky spills, contrasting with a mass of soggy tissue paper and crisps strewn about the place; the partially finished drinks and empty glasses came as no surprise, likewise the urinals which were all out of order. What would however appear to have changed come my Saturday night visit, was the rough types who have largely decamped, to be replaced by endless tattooed students, alumni of the various surrounding educational institutions, many being ID’d at the door, one nipper looking like she was no more than 12 years old and, no doubt attracted by the scantily clad female talent on offer (can I say this?), a band of cackling old local geezers eyeing up the ladies.
Aside from the usual suspects, there were three from Sambrook’s: Tomahawk, Lavender Hill and Junction at just £1.15 a half, the latter two sampled and on good form, served by confused staff.
This is a very poor ‘spoons and if I were unlucky enough to find myself in this godforsaken area and utterly desperate for a drink, the E & C is a better option.

On 20th June 2023 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Delboy 20 left this review about The Rockingham Arms (JD Wetherspoon)

Old school Spoons not helped by the scaffolding all around it when I called. I managed to fight my way through the smokers standing in front of the "No smoking outside this doorway" sign! Usual layout and 4 guest ales including Upham's Autumn Leaves, Purple Moose dark side of the moose and Brains Gold.
The beer was just OK. I wouldn't rush back to be honest!

On 11th October 2018 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 1651 recommendations about 1553 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about The Rockingham Arms (JD Wetherspoon)

This is a large, bland Wetherspoons pub with a pretty grim interior that mirrors the very worst of the local area. The pub has a wide but relatively shallow room with the servery along the left half of the rear wall. A row of enormous pillars run in pairs through the centre of the room with some tatty mosaic tiling around their lower halves, helping to break up the sightlines across the room pretty well but adding absolutely nothing from an aesthetic viewpoint. There is a mix of carpet, floorboards and tiling throughout the room with high tables and stools under the front windows and around the pillars, banquettes in a raised space to the far right and standard tables and chairs elsewhere. The bar has a very long counter with a curved right hand end, broken twice along its length by pillars. The bar back employs some nice old wood panels, plain mirrors and an integral clock, making it arguably the pub's top feature. The usual TV screens showing muted news coverage and the discreetly positioned slot machines were all present and correct. The walls have been whitewashed for the most part, which gives the place quite a bright feel, which doesn't really suit the clientele who would be better served hidden away in a dingy corner somewhere. Some random modern art prints here and there added an incongruous touch and my general impression was that interior design must be the lowest priority for the people running this place. There are a few seats out in a roped off pavement space, should sitting next to a busy road seem preferable to another minute staring at a whitewashed wall.
Perhaps the beer could rescue the day? Well, yes, it could (to a point). There were four 'Spoons regulars available alongside a highly unexpected five guest ales and one real cider. I tried a pint of the Yeovil Ruby and it was in pretty good nick too, so hopefully a change in the fortunes of the ale range and quality might translate into improved refurbishment at some stage.
I don't think this is anyone's favourite 'Spoons, with the possible exception of a few hardy locals, and it certainly leaves a lot to be desired when compared to other South London 'Spoons or indeed pubs in the immediate vicinity. I left feeling vaguely hopeful thanks to the decent pint and reasonable selection of ales, but things would have to improve a fair bit to get me back in here again any time soon.

On 23rd July 2018 - rating: 5
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by William Purnell
Elephant & Castle, 0.2 miles, 3 min walk (show)
London Waterloo, 0.93 miles, 17 min walk (show)
London Bridge, 1.06 miles, 20 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Rockingham Arms (JD Wetherspoon), SE1
20th Jun 2023, 15:17
Review submitted by Tris C
 
19th Jun 2023, 19:31
Web Link submitted by Tris C approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Beer Garden : No - Pavement seating area - last updated 07 May 2014 by john mcgraw
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 20 December 2023 by ROB Camra
  • Car Park : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Darts : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Dog Friendly : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Function Room : No last updated 23 July 2018 by Pub SignMan
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 16 July 2013 by Dave McNally
  • Jukebox : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Karaoke : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Live Music : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Live TV Sports : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Micropub : No last updated 23 July 2018 by Pub SignMan
  • Pinball : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Pool Table : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Quiz Night : No last updated 23 October 2013 by Aqualung .
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 16 July 2013 by Dave McNally
  • Real Cider : No last updated 20 June 2023 by Tris C
  • Wheelchair Access : Yes - Disabled WC. - last updated 20 June 2023 by Tris C
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 16 July 2013 by Dave McNally
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