The Dovecote, Colindale, NW9

The Dovecote is a Marston’s pub that opened early in September 2011 to join the Beaufort, which is a Young’s pub, on the newly constructed Beaufort Park development which is found on the old site of RAF Hendon. The L shaped interior is obviously new and will take some time to be worn in to gather some character, but I feel that this is a more welcoming and local feeling pub compared to the Beaufort. The drinks are expensive in both pubs and I think that the local crowd is more affluent here than in the immediate surrounding areas. The food is cheap, but the chef needs to be replaced or given more training as the quality is very poor. This is microwaved food or grilled burgers and all of the five meals I saw were substandard, I’d rather pay the extra couple of quid and be able to finish the meal. I did complain and the very friendly barmaid offered to slap the chef, but no compensation was offered. Peroni and Amstel were available alongside some standard draught products. The four hand pumps were drawing Marston’s Pedigree and Jenning’s Red Breast together with Ring O’The Bells and Old Thumper from Ringwood Brewery. There is step free access and a disabled toilet. There is also some outside seating on a patio area to the side of the pub. If I lived on this site I would choose this pub over its competition, but if I was out for the night I would pay for the bus or a cab to drink elsewhere.

Official site of the Dovecote with menu and wine list - www.dovecotepubhendon.co.uk

Official site of the Dovecote with menu and wine list - www.dovecotepubhendon.co.uk

This is a newly opened Marston's pub in a new development on the site of the former RAF Hendon.