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The Blythe Hill Tavern, Catford, SE23
SE23
SE23 1JB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
The Blythe Hill Tavern is a popular old school boozer that was approaching busy during a recent Thursday afternoon visit when World Championship Darts via Sky Sports was muted on the televisions and the jukebox was turned off, so there was just chatter in the air, and a few strange noises from the older customers. I entered a small bar with some seating and a counter across the rear that supported two hand pumps that were drawing Dark Star’s Hophead and Harvey’s Best. There was nobody in here, so I made my way through the counter into a carpeted rear seating area and around to the left front where there’s a longer, and thinner, bar with wood panelled walls and a wood panelled counter up one side that faces small tables up the other. Standard and premium keg products were available alongside mainstream craft, and another four hand pumps that were additionally drawing Doom Bar and Greene King’s Rocking Rudolph. I also spotted pump clips along the top of the bar that were advertising seven real ciders, six from Lilleys alongside Sandford Orchard’s Devon Mist. I love an old school boozer, and I’m glued to the darts throughout the Christmas period, so this place was right up my street.
On 22nd December 2025
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6377 recommendations about 6339 pubs]
Tris C left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
The Blythe Hill Hotel as was dates from around 1866, the interior the result of a refurbishment in the Brewers’ Tudor style from either the 1920s or ‘30s (the former Noakes’ pub was acquired by Courage in 1930), the pub, attached gate piers and walls grade II-listed since 7th June 2022.
There’s much toucanery to the exterior which still exhibits a Courage cockerel (see photo). The atmospheric three-room interior is well described below, photos on their website, more photos and history on CAMRA’s. Along with plenty of gimcracks, though the Irish road signs look a bit O’Neill’s and on the downside, there’s multi-event unwatched televised sport with intrusive commentary, football and golf at the time of my 8.00pm visit two nights ago. Customers are a very mixed bunch of locals, though football’s allegiance now seems to lie not with Millwall but Arsenal.
There’s still the disappointing ale lineup, with Gloom, Hophead v. 3.00, Sharp’s Sea Fury and Sussex Best, £2.65 a half, on good form, served by one of three barmen, smartly dressed in shirts and ties.
This is a great pub for the interior but is let down by the TV sport and poor ale choice; Gloom and golf a winning combo for some, not for me.
Rated 7.5.
On 20th May 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2303 recommendations about 2249 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Walton left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
There is no other universe in which I would not agree with the reviews below and the stellar ratings for this lovely venue. It looks so ordinary from the outside, it is ordinary on the inside and the sum of the parts in this case adds up to magical. Don’t get me wrong, I love an Irish oriented pub with the telly’s covering the evening cards, but it is discrete and the distinct areas make for a truly enjoyable pub experience.
There were four beers on hand pump, what seems like regulars here, namely Harvey’s Sussex Best (my choice and very well kept), Doom Bar (I would hazard a guess that tastes like the nectar of the gods here), Hophead plus Olde Trip. Was a difficult decision not to have the Guinness here, but already have plans for next visit. The staff were lovely and the old school Irish chap that I assume is the manager / owner you would love to have him as the same in your local.
I only stayed for the one pint as there was other venues around I wanted to get to that I hadn’t been to previously. We will all do that and tick off venues but we note and embed the true gems in our own experience and will come back to frequently or not frequently but enough that we honour their presence. This is one for me and whilst the cask choices weren’t imaginative, there is economic reality of what the locals choose and this venue is so much more than choices on a beer spectrum (based on my choice all of which presented tonight woukd have been good). The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in SE23. At a minimum have already decided I will return to watch the opening day of Cheltenham 2025 and stuff myself with Guinness and Tayto S&V crisps.
On 22nd April 2024
- rating: 9
[User has posted 976 recommendations about 969 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
A magnificent example of it's type,a proper boozer with a timeless feel and unspoiled by progress it is rightly listed by CAMRA as a Historic Pub of National Importance.There are two doors off the main road but only the left hand one opens into a small front room of triangular shape with fitted bench seating with stools and a shrine to golf with display cabinets of hickory sticks and other old equipment and wooden reliefs on the walls about golfing participants and a small tv for horse racing.It has its own bar counter but unusually there is a corridor to the larger rear room which passes between the two serving stations.The back room is more square with fitted benches,a fruit machine and access to the beer garden,partly covered.Through a small arch is the lower third room ,long and thin with the main display of handpumps and a sports flatscreen above the non opening door.The pub is carpeted in maroon throughout.If you want food there is a pizza van outside called Van Dough !
It's operated by an Irish family and the barmen wear white shirts and ties,the welcome was friendly and the service the model of efficiency.The ale choice on my trip was Sharps Sea Fury and Doom Bar,Harvey's Sussex Best and "Dark Star" Hophead (decent ,NBSS 3,£4.60).This pub is popular with local Irish but does not have that sometimes oppressive oirish atmosphere it's first and foremost a boozer where folk come to drink.There is no muzak,just the hum of conversation.Maybe not the most exciting ale line up ,but drink in the traditional atmosphere and enjoy.If you take the lane to the side of the pub,a very steep climb will take you to Blythe Hill and great views over central London.A must visit both for heritage and a proper boozer vibe.
On 7th April 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3112 recommendations about 3112 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
Very much a locals pub albeit a mixed clientel, Young , old and the bit in the middle, it would also seem to be very much a Millwall FC stronghold going by some of the tattoos on the necks of various middle aged guys. As mention before a splendidly unspoilt three roomed pub, all off which were equally attended as was the garden on an overcast but warm day. There were four cask ales on during my visit, Doom Bar (of course) , Harveys Sussex Best, Dark Star Hophead and Adnams Mosaic, I had a pint each of the last two and found them to be competently kept, these were backed up by a standard range of keg with a couple of craft offerings from Beavertown. All in all a very good pub that certainly is worth the ten mimute walk from Catford but I find myself agreeing with the late Aqualungs assessment that the beer offering was a little on the mainstream side of things and as such I wouldn't be enticed to make that particular journey on a regular basis.
On 5th September 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2258 recommendations about 2223 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
Famous from the Deserter Blog and Podcast. If you haven't found those - then you probably should. Never fails to make me laugh.
One of those pubs you could arrive at and never want to leave. I kind of wish I hadn't but as it was the first time in the area, I had plenty to discover.
Unspoiled interior of three rooms connected by a central bar. Big garden outside. Harveys Sussex Best, Hopshead Dark Star and of course, Guinness.
So much going on - with all walks of life contained within. Old Boy, solo drinkers, families, lads, tourists (like myself). The conversations - which you cannot help but eavesdrop - are better than the TV.
Loved it. Will come back and spend longer.
On 28th July 2021
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1751 recommendations about 1724 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Phil Wong left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
This pub and joiners arms are the 2 most properest pubs in Lewisham. Bar staff are the best in London. Always smartly dressed and always go the extra mile for you.
Good bar snacks.
Footy always on.
Garden a joy in the summer.
Alround top pub and just what Catford needs. None of your gentlefication; this is just a solid 9/10 boozer.
On 4th March 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6 recommendations about 6 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
The prominent golden cockerel outside shows that in the days of the big six breweries this was a Courage pub. It probably hasn't changed that much since those days apart from the fact that it is a regular GBG entry whereas then it was all keg. The separate three rooms are well described below and I parked myself in the narrow room to the right. There was a choice of five beers Harvey's Best, Dark Star Hophead, Courage Best, Tring Fanny Ebbs and Adnam's Broadside. I went for the Dark Star Hophead (£3.30) which was in very good nick although a trifle on the warm side.
Although this is a good example of a relatively unspoilt London pub it didn't impress me as much as it clearly does others. I thought the beer choice was a bit pedestrian and the TV screens are an annoyance. The Caffrey's mirror above the door as you enter is more a Bargain Hunt heavy loss item than an Antiques Road Show treasure. The live evening music is another downside for me. The saddest thing about this pub is that I remember a time when much of the London Young's tied estate was just like this but without the TV screens.
It's certainly worth a look but not one I would return to unless I was passing close by.
I wish I had referred to Whatpub before coming here as they say it does a 10% CAMRA discount.
On 14th September 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
The Blythe Hill Tavern is a fine traditional pub at the Catford end of Forest Hill. The pub has a three room format, with the main bar on the right hand side of the building. This room is quite narrow, with the bar running along the left side whilst a few tables fill the space opposite. A TV screen was on showing League 1 football to a good crowd of customers. At the rear of the room there is access to the back room, which is carpeted and has a mixture of banquette and standard seating, as well as a very short stretch of bar. A few books are lined up on a shelf behind the banquettes and there are a further two TV screens, one showing the football, the other offering At the Races, which was appropriate given the horse racing theme of the room which included lots of photos, paintings and even a jockey's silks. Access to the garden is possible from this rear room. The left hand side of the pub houses a second bar, which didn't appear to be in use during my stay. This room is almost wedge shaped and has yet another TV screen, again showing the football.
There were five beers on when I visited - London Pride, Dark Star Hophead (£2.95), Courage Best, Harvey's Best and Adnams Broadside and my pint of Hophead was well kept. Most punters seemed to be drinking Guinness, which may be explained by the fact that most of the customers and staff appeared to be Irish.
This is a classic example of an old-fashioned local's pub with plenty of character and is the sort of place I would happily spend a good bit of time in. Worth making the trek down Stanstead Road from the train station.
On 16th October 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3387 recommendations about 3387 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Blythe Hill Tavern
A traditional pub with three distinct seperate areas although it is possible to move between them inside. The right sided room is very narrow with the bar running along one side and small tables with chairs backs to the wall, facing the bar. There are also a few bar stools. There are old framed adverts above the bar, A Caffrey's mirror, Millwall FC team photo, a montage of Irish writers and a TV in the front corner showing at the time cricket, then football later. Behind here is a rectangular room at the back of the pub; this has a horse racing theme with several photographs and a jockey's jersey in a frame. Naturally the TV in here had the racing showing.
Completing the circuit the left side room from the front is smaller, has an attractive fireplace, and its own seperate bar (unmanned yesterday PM) with two pumps clipped with Pride and Courage Best.
I opted to sit in the narrow room where the choice of Pride or Courage were supplemented by Adnams Broadside and Dark Star Hophead. The bar counter had several part poured pints of Guinness on it, being allowed to settle before finishing pouring. The black stuff moves quickly here.
There is also a pleasant paved rear garden with well tended flower beds and tubs, bench seating and a small kids play area.
I liked this pub a great deal, comfortable, traditional and really quite busy of a Saturday afternoon, as it truly deserves to be.
On 1st August 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]