The Gordon Arms, Chislehurst

Facebook page of The Gordon Arms - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Gordon Arms - www.craftunionpubs.com

Facebook page of The Gordon Arms - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Gordon Arms - www.craftunionpubs.com

With a brewer's Tudor exterior, its no surprise to find (light) wood panelling and an impressive gantried servery at the centre of the staple-shaped bar. Semi-traditional furniture with red banquette seating around the periphery. Very busy with the locals on a Sunday afternoon, with music and sports TVs competing with the boisterous conversation. Pride, Oliver's Island, Westerham British Bulldog ("not pouring well", but at least I was warned) and Landlord (£4.00, and in fine form) from the numerous handpumps scattered around the counter.

I was pleasantly surprised to find five real ales available in here - London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Old Speckled Hen, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay Pale Ale. It's not the most exciting array you'll ever see, but not too shabby nonetheless. I didn't see any menus, but a small sign advertised Goddard's pie, mash and liquor at £5.50, and a plastic container behind the bar had some obviously freshly made rolls in it. I'm not sure of the prices, but a good quality ham and tomato roll, plus a half of the Whitstable Bay Pale, cost £4.45. Good value I reckon. The pub looks inter-war; the internal fittings certainly are. The place is completely opened up now of coursebut it still has three wood surround brick built fireplaces; fielded wood panelling to three-quarter height on all the walls; an original bar counter with more fielded panelling with the London trademark doors at the front originally for servicing the beer engines. The woodwork still has its original woodstain, except for the bar back and it was difficult to see if it was original as it had been painted indigo for some reason. Furnishings are red upholstered banquettes around the sides, which have clearly seen better days, with small round stools and standard tables. It may be that a refurbishment is underway as the flooring is ghastly hardboard - I can't believe that that's the finished product. This is clearly an unpretentious locals' pub. I was surprised to see five real ales on, but as well as myself, one of the other handful of locals in was drinking real ale - pints of Landlord in his case. Maybe it's busier with more real ale drinkers in the evenings. I liked it in here - but there again I do like honest boozers.