The Lord Hill, Bexleyheath

Facebook page of The Lord Hill - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Lord Hill - www.facebook.com

First licenced in 1815, the Coach House was originally called the Lord Hill after a popular general in the Napoleonic wars. The façade has remained virtually unchanged from a 1900 photo I found in a book although the pub has been extended into the adjoing property and to the rear. The L-shaped interior is pretty run of the mill and looking a little tired. Some might say it even looks like a typical tourist pub were it not for the fact it is situated just off Bexleyheath shopping precinct, hardly a magnet for holidaymakers. To the right of the bar is a pool area (the game, not a lido) and the front section has a raised area in one corner separated from the rear extention by a large pillar with fireplace. The pub is fully carpeted with some flagstoned areas around the bar. Rumour has it that an an old pub sign from a neighbouring demolished pub used to hang over the bar was too difficult to remove during a renovation and is still hidden away behind the canopy. There wasn’t much to report regarding the beers; just one ale (St Austell Tribute) that was unavailable on my recent visit. The rest is made up of the usual High Street suspects. There are certainly worse places around but you can’t help feel that the Coach House doesn’t have anything to make it stand out and could be much better with a bit of effort. I would return if only to find out how well they keep their beer should it be available.