Crown Of Mitcham, Mitcham

This pub hasn’t changed appreciably since the previous reviewer’s visit last August. I noted three handpumps on the bar counter, but only one was in use, dispensing Courage Best (£3.00 a pint). I saw menus at the end of the bar, but there were none on the tables as I guess they had stopped serving food at the time of my visit, at 3.00 PM on a Wednesday afternoon. The pub looks quite attractive from the outside, especially with its enviable location looking out over the Green. But inside it’s nothing special. There’s a pool table on the left, and TVs on the walls, but switched off during my visit, and some pop music was being played. There’s nothing worth mentioning in the way of wall decor, with the usual adverts for forthcoming sporting events taking pride of place. The floor is bare-boarded with what looks like modern replacement dark-stained boards, and furnishings comprise banquettes and normal tables and chairs, although I did spot one tall pedestal table with a couple of tall stools. The usual games and fruit machines were there as well. The service was friendly enough, but I doubt whether I’ll pay a return visit unless for some reason i find myself in this part of Mitcham in need of a drink.

This large pub sits on the busy Carshalton Road with a nice aspect looking across Mill Green. The building is fairly large and reasonably well kept. The main room has a pleasing wooden interior with banquettes along the front wall opposite the bar and lots of tables and chairs down either side of the bar. There is what looks like an extension into another room, providing a separate space presumably used for dining. The walls have a number of old photos of Mitcham hanging from them, but there wasn't a great deal else of interest around the place. A beer garden at the back was empty but there were plenty of people on the benches at the front which look across the adjacent Green. Service was a little slow, but the barmaids were very friendly and welcoming and were enjoying plenty of banter with the many regulars. I saw at least five hand pumps, but only one ale, Courage Best, was available. An uninspiring selection of standard lagers and Guinness made up the rest of the choice. My pint of Best (£2.90) was okay but nothing worth going out of my way for. There was music played at a fairly low level and a pool table was tucked away at the rear of the main room. The Mitcham and Hackbridge area doesn't inspire with its pubs and this, despite its plus points, doesn't do enough to change that.