The Elm Tree, Elmers End, Beckenham

Official site of The Elm Tree - www.theelmtreebeckenham.co.uk

Official site of The Elm Tree - www.theelmtreebeckenham.co.uk

Previously known as the William IV, this large roadside pub near Elmers End station underwent a significant refurbishment in early 2015 which resulted in a change of name as well. The pub has a pleasant exterior, with large window bays, decorative woodwork and nice angular gables all of which can be admired from a decent front patio area with lots of sturdy round tables and a rather nice Christmas tree on my pre-Christmas visit. You enter into a former two bar set up which has been opened out now but is still easily identified by the separate entrances and a partitioning archway in the centre of the room. The servery to the rear has an angular dark wood counter and smart bar back with nice display cabinets full of old bits and bobs such as jars, bottles, kettles and the like. The left side of the room is carpeted with a raised seating area in the front corner around a brick fireplace. Lots of standard tables and chairs fill out this side of the room, which extends past the bar to the rear where you can find another seating area with smart decor and comfortable furniture. The right hand side of the room has nice wood and tile flooring, lots of high tables and stools and even some high banquettes along the right hand wall. There's another fireplace to the front with stamp image wallpaper above, whilst decent banquette booths run down the side of the bar, offering a little privacy from the otherwise rather open plan room. There are numerous TV screens through both sides of the pub showing darts, horse racing and Sky Sports News with music quietly playing in the background. You pass through a curtained doorway to the rear right to enter a plushly carpeted restaurant full of standard tables and chairs, with access to the fine rear beer garden. The refurb has left the main room looking pretty good, certainly an improvement on its previous guise, and decor includes lots of old local photographs, a few arty snaps and some stylised light fixtures creating a nice muted effect. A board outside the pub was promoting a 'try before you buy' ale policy, which boded well, but there were just the two ales to try - Wadworth Bishop's Tipple and Haviestoun Bitter and Twisted with two handpulls unused. A rather blunt barman served up a pint of the Bishop's Tipple which set me back £3.80 and was in pretty good nick. Most punters seemed to be on the lager, but I did spot a couple of other people giving the ale a go, suggesting turnover might not be too much of an issue. This pub never really appealed in the past, but the sprucing up has created a pleasant community pub which had attracted a wide range of customers early on a Thursday evening. Having a couple of interesting, well kept ales on will add to the pub's appeal and acts as a bit of a bonus for the areas rather limited pub scene. This was an unexpected surprise and worth a look if you're in the area.