The Brook, Worcester Park

I recently paid my first visit to this pub since its Huntsmans Hall days. And as I expected it's now nothing like the traditional pub it once was, having had a thoroughly modern makeover. The flooring's modern replacement boarding, except for a modern tiled splash area surrounding the bar counter. The raised area on the left is a survivor from the Huntsmans Hall days, and like the rest of the pub is furnished with normal tables and chairs. This place now brands itself as a "pub and eating house", and food does seem to be important here. A sign on one of the ceiling beams points to a Dining Room at the back, which had a "reserved for diners" sign at its entrance. Pastel shades abound, and the bar counter front is painted a dark grey, or indigo perhaps. They did have a couple of ales on however - Doom Bar and Adnam's Ghost Ship (£3.70 a pint). The Ghost Ship went off while I was in and was replaced immediately by Pedigree - which I regard as a sign of a well run pub. There wasn't a full menu on my table (although there was on others) but the sandwich menu offered a half-dozen or so options (including fries) for £5 - £6. The chicken, with mixed leaves, parmesan shavings and Caesar dressing, was £6. I would say that this pub no longer has the pub character that it had as the Huntsmans Hall, but it's a darned sight better than when it was the short-lived Midas Touch. It was doing a very good trade at lunchtime on Christmas Eve, and on another occasion I might give the food a whirl. A traditional pub it's not, but it's the best pub in Worcester Park, although it has to said there's little competition.

What Pub - www.whatpub.com

What Pub - www.whatpub.com

Official site of The Brook - www.thebrookworcesterpark.co.uk

Presumably now renamed after the Beverley Brook which passes nearby, the refurbishment has turned this place into a smart and upmarket feeling spot. The interior is modern with boarded polished floors, banquettes with occasional cushions and wood boarded tables in various sizes. One end is slightly raised where there is a feature fireplace and a series of B&W photos of old Worcester Park including one of the pub in a former life as The Huntsman's Hall in Ind Coope livery. The bar is central, a rear room with a feature wall of shelving containing wine bottles is full of tables set for formal dining. Menus on the tables have most mains in the £9 to £15 category, vases of flowers plus large white candles on the window cills add to the ambience as did the low key jazzy music soundtrack. Two handpumps, not obvious on entering, they are round the corner at the end of the bar; Doom Bar plus Pride reversed. This pub has had a chequered history and was regarded as a place to avoid at one time as The Huntsman's, the current incarnation would appear to be distancing itself from those days and driving the place upmarket. It's all a bit new and manufactured but with the demise of The Worcester Park Tavern over the road this is probably the best bet for a pint in the immediate area.

Official site of The Brook - www.thebrookworcesterpark.co.uk

This re-opened last month as The Brook, branded as a ‘pub and eating house’, after a refurbishment. It is quite a large affair with a central bar and smart decor with old photographs of the area adorning the walls. The rear room has been turned into a restaurant area. Unusually, the car park had a gate which was kept locked, with a member of staff bounding out to unlock it for people coming and going. The mixed clientele had a very good buzz to it on our recent Saturday evening visit, and service was very friendly and efficient. There is also a quiz night on Sundays. On the real ale front, there were two handpulls, one offering a tedious but serviceable pint of Pride and the other with a GK IPA clip reversed. This is a good venue in my book, but could be so much better with a more interesting ale selection.