The Woodman, Southgate, N13

Facebook page of The Woodman - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Woodman - www.facebook.com

Just been sold by Marstons to Heartwood Inns, who have recently also purchased the currently closed Prince of Wales in East Barnet and The Royal Forest in Epping Forest. Will now presumably be closed for a while whilst an extensive refit takes place.

Changed hands and now a pub in transition. The internal layout remains the same, although the new tenants have decided to rescind the old framed photos of the pub back onto the walls. No real ale, despite three pumps. Five kegs offered beers from a local brewery (I didn't make a note of the name - shame on me). A pub in flux - hopefully temporarily - with potential to be a lot better.

This is an early Victorian roadside pub, that's apparently been converted from a couple of cottages. But it's now nothing like the small pub it must once have been, as a conservatory has been built on to the left, and it's also been expanded to the back as well. There's a garden at the back. The old pub area as you enter reminds you of a country pub - a very low ceiling and a nice fireplace. Furnishings are mainly normal tables and chairs, with a bit of bench seating. The decor didn't seem up to much - we spotted some prints on the walls, most of which were designs of random objects like dolls houses and turntables. Most odd; not seen the like before. There were three handpumps - two unclipped and the third dispensing Pedigree (£1.95 a half, and not in particularly good condition). They obviously do food, but I didn't see a menu. It seemed a bit of a dull and lifeless place when we visited early evening on a weekday just after Christmas. It seemed a bit flat, but maybe that was just us. Maybe at another time it would be a very different place.