The Surprise, South Lambeth, SW8

Dating from the mid-19th century, this is a Young’s pub (or is it, given the lack of a website?) situated right on the edge of Larkhall Park, which came into existence as a result of World War II bombing. I had thought that this was going to be some sort of gastrofied affair, but apart from the pale grey wood cladding to the front room, it’s really quite traditional, right down to the wrought iron and glass pot shelf (probably 1930s’) and L-shaped multi-room layout. There are no obvious TVs though there’s a games machine, with further entertainment in the form of darts (with trophies) and possibly pool to the rear. Furniture is traditional with mixed framed prints, some of which appear to be of something looking like a power station; a decent soundtrack played. Despite the putative brand, a friendly landlady presided over a solitary London Original clip and although I don’t mind Special, LO is one of my safe words, so it was a half of Stella at £2.60. This is an unexpectedly pleasant and traditional little place; Proper Job on offer would have resulted in a proper score, but it deserves support.

This is a two-bar side-street Youngs pub that has seemingly avoided the attention of their design team to retain the feel of a proper local’s boozer. The pub’s multiple room layout has been partly opened out, but enough of the old format remains that this is easily overlooked. You enter into the front bar area, which comprises a small L-shaped space with a similarly shaped servery in the rear right corner. The room is bare boarded and has a drinking ledge under the front windows and a banquette in a small section to the right, but otherwise limits seating options to stools along the bar. The servery has a nice traditional counter and bar back with an impressive old iron and glass gantry. Moving further into the pub, you reach a mid-section with a single table served by comfortable seating to the right and a small bit of standing room to the left. Diamond patterned walls give way to a conservatory-style space full of garden furniture that has been tacked onto one side of the pub. Continuing on, you reach the rear lounge, which I would argue is the nicest part of the pub, albeit much quieter than the front bar. Here you fin a tartan carpeted room with very comfortable button backed banquettes around two of the walls and smart chairs in support. There’s a nice fireplace with an attractive tiled surround and intricately carved mantle to the left with the pub’s trophy collection above. The walls have modern wood panels, but these have almost entirely been covered with a vast collection of caricatures, seemingly of pub regulars(?). A dartboard can be found on the rear wall and there were pop tunes playing quietly in the background through the course of my visit. No surprises at the bar, with just Young’s Ordinary and Special available and a third pump unclipped. The Ordinary was £3.90 and despite not being a particular favourite of mine, went down pretty well as I relaxed and read my paper in the lounge. The landlady seemed like a stern but friendly old-school type and the locals were a mixed bunch, including plenty of old boys and a few dolled-up young ladies clearly enjoying a few quiet drinks before a big night out. I had absolutely no expectations going into this one, but found it was a cracking little local’s boozer with plenty of character, a friendly welcome and some well-kept, if unadventurous, beer. Places like this are becoming increasingly difficult to find as vast swathes of South London get swept-up in the gentrification process, so it was nice to find this place and enjoy a bit of quality time here.

Well this pub is a surprise after walking most of the Wandsworth Road it was a surprise to see a pub that is still open!A very small front bar and a drinking area at the back.Young's/Well's beers on offer with the special being on good form.Outside drinking area overlooking the park.