Robin Hood & Little John, Bexleyheath

Randomness Guide to London - Robin Hood And Little John entry

Randomness Guide to London - Robin Hood And Little John entry

Fine welcoming and friendly with a superb selection of well kept ales. Busy as it really deserves to be, on offer were Adnams Broadside and Bitter, Harveys Sussex, London Pride, Sheps Kents Best, Brentwood Best, Brakspears Bitter and Brains Reverend James. An old building apparently swallowed by suburbia, timber beams etc, but evidence of some unsympathetic refurbishment sadly. Certainly worth a look though, and easily the best pub in the area.

It is hard to imagine a place that resembles a country village pub being 10 minutes walk down a quiet(ish) side street from the bustle of Bexleyheath High Street. You certainly wouldn’t find the place by accident but the pub is the areas must do pub for Ale aficionados. Having won the local CAMRA Pub of the Year award for the last 10 years you could argue that it says as much about the competition than the pub itself and to be honest, my last 2 or 3 visits have left a certain amount of disappointment given the pub’s reputation. The interior is quite homely but not particularly spacious despite being extended to one side and the place can get a little cramped when busy. There is a mix of built in seats, leather armchairs and stools and you will more than likely find yourself sitting at an old sewing machine table. I have always felt that the interior lighting is far too bright and could do with toning down a bit. The ambience is quite sedate with safe unobtrusive music and a flat screen TV which doesn’t really suit the building. To the rear is a small but quite pleasant floodlit beer garden and there are also bench seats out the front. My recent visits (including Burns night) I have found the ale choices a bit too mainstream and mundane and whilst there are usually around 7 or 8 available, several are quite ordinary (eg Adnams, Broadside, Canterbury Jack) or at best, regularly found guest ales (eg Doom Bar, Harveys, Brakspear) with just the occasional beer that really makes ale pubs so special. I am always particularly disappointed by the lack of any local micro’s although to be fair my visits are quite sporadic and I may just be unlucky on the days I go. One other small gripe is that the hand pumps are dispersed across the bar making it difficult to see what is actually on although there are lists and posters dotted about so best to check them before diving straight to the bar. The boss is extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his beers and will happily guide you through what’s on. The ale quality is, as you would expect from the multiple certificates lining the walls, second to none and despite my gripes, things should be put into perspective in that this is still one of the top pubs in the area. The customer base is a far cry from the usual Bexleyheath feral gang mentality and whilst it may be slightly resting on its laden CAMRA award laurels, it is still well worth a visit if in town.

This is a fantastic, traditional pub with an excellent range of real ales and a warm atmosphere. Over 21's only means that there is a 'grown-up' feel to the pub. Highly recommended.