The Jolly Gardeners, Mortlake, SW14

I came here a few times in the 80s, but today paid my first visit here since then. As I recall it used to be a straightforward no-nonsense boozer – and it still is! It doesn't change much, which is most definitely a good thing. Just Young's ales of course, but the pint of Special I had was very welcome during a hot muggy lunchtime in August. It was very quiet when I was in during a weekday lunchtime; just me - and a couple of old lads reminiscing about how the pub used to look in days gone by. I guess it might be a very different place in the evening, but even when it's busy it will still be a very good pub. I like it, and would recommend it to anyone who likes an unpretentious pub.

I really liked it in here and that's not just because it has a pool table, a couple of plasma screens and TWO dartboards. I'm not that keen on watching ‘Cash in the Attic' whilst supping my beer, but I was able to sit at the rear of the pub near the exit to the beer garden to have some peace. Youngs Ordinary, Special and Directors were available with one pump being off. There is also a wide selection of standard lagers. This would be a great place to have an extended stop off for a throw of some arrows during a pub crawl.

A Youngs pub. Youngs Bitter & Special and Directors on sale. Comfortable seats around the walls. Back room has a pool table.