The White Cross Inn, Sidcup

This pub is situated on a busy dual carriageway, not really near any major built-up areas. I'm surprised it manages to keep going. I walked in to some very loud music generated by a TV playing Heart Radio. With the noise, unsurprisingly the few other customers that were here had moved out to the garden. The area with the TV was very sparsely decorated with a few odd tables and chairs seemingly scattered randomly. A larger room had tables and chair stacked up, as they appeared to be decorating. There was also a dining room off to the side. None of it felt very welcoming. Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter & Timothy Taylor Landlord were the real ale options. I endured Heart for a full 30 minutes until the next bus arrived.

Looks relatively plain from the adjoining dual carriageway, so it comes as something of a surprise to find a fine and quite upmarket interior. Better still, this gives the appearance of not having been significantly altered, with three seating / dining areas around the central bar counter, supplemented by a dining room extension off to one side. Very traditionally furnished and decorated, with all sorts of bits and pieces mounted on the mostly wood-panelled walls and hanging from the beamed ceilings. Also has a two-part rear beer garden. Four real ales on handpump: Doom Bar, a pair from Butcombe - Bitter and Rare Breed - and Harvey's (£3.90).

Official site of The White Cross Inn - www.thewhitecrossinn.com

Official site of The White Cross Inn - www.thewhitecrossinn.com