The Park Tavern, Eltham, SE9

This is indeed a very photogenic pub from the outside and the yellow paint job complementing the original yellow and green Truman’s tiling is very pleasing to the eye and invites you inside. Unfortunately the interior does not match the exterior. The bar counter was more 1960’s décor than Ikea for me but the rest of the décor and seating is perfectly pleasant enough. And as the six handpumps were all in operation for my visit I did warm to this one. Alongside Adnams Mosaic and Southwold Bitter were Harveys Sussex Best, Woodforde Nog Dark Ale, Tring Piggeries Amber ale and Ilkley Brewery Blonde. So, a good mix of styles and the couple I tried were in excellent nick. There is a small courtyard garden outback, but on a fine day it is the preserve of smokers so wasn’t that comfortable a space for a non-smoker like me. But all in all, still a very solid pub.

This is a very attractive pub from the outside, with its original Truman's signage seemingly intact, but inside it's a different matter with no heritage features surviving as far as I can see. But that's not to say that the interior is unattractive, as it's still as comfortably furnished as it was when the previous reviewer visited over a couple of years ago. I have to say that I don't think much of the Ikea style bar counter and canopy, but maybe others find modern light pine attractive. It's bare-boarded at the front of the L-shaped room, and carpeted to the left and rear of the room. All the chintzy drawing room decor is still in place, including period lampstands, classic style prints, and loads of chinaware on the walls. Furnishings are of the traditional style, which suited me just fine. I saw the small garden at the rear, but January is not the month to go exploring gardens. The beer range is at least as good as that encountered by previous reviewers. There are eight handpumps, with six in operation dispensing Timothy Taylor Landlord; Harvey's Sussex Best, Robinson's Overhang; Rudgate Ruby Mild (£3.80 a pint); Black Sheep Resolution; and the now rarely seen in London Skinner's Betty Stogs (£3.60 a pint). This is an excellent selection at very competetive prices. We found this a serene and relaxing place to enjoy a pint or two. They still play classical music from classic FM or a similar radio station. A visit to this pub is a must if you're in Eltham.

Just off the main High Street this is a very smart and well presented L-shaped pub that offers a classy drinking environment in sharp contrast to many of the other nearby pubs. Upon entry you can immediately sense the pub's former two bar layout, with a nice stained glass door to the front right, no longer in use but still bearing the pub's name, and some incongruous pillars around the corner of the servery all hinting at the former floor plan. The servery has a modern looking bar counter with a rather unattractive pine canopy, but the bar back is of a more traditional nature and very pleasing on the eye. A selection of comfortable furnishings can be found to the front and down the left hand wall, opposite the bar. There is an attractive fireplace with a nice carriage clock above on this wall, and the décor throughout includes traditional items such as watercolour paintings, period lamps, various jugs and vases in the window sills, decorative plates and an unusual short bench with a mirrored back. The rear of the room leads out to a very pleasant patio garden which a number of customers were taking advantage of on a warm weekend afternoon. The day's papers are available from a rack near the bar and an interesting radio station playing classic movie soundtracks provided entertainment of a sort rarely found in a pub these days. A very basic menu detailed pub staples such as pasties, pies and dressed crab. A surprisingly wide ale range was available at the bar, with options extending to Courage Best, Hobgoblin Gold, Truman Runner, Purity Pure Gold, Hook Norton Lion and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. Two more hand pumps remained unclipped. A friendly landlady served me a good pint of the Harvest Pale which went down very nicely in these relaxed surrounds. This is a really well run pub with a clear vision of the sort of establishment that they want to present and as a consequence, provides a welcome refuge from some of Eltham's less than salubrious watering holes. It will be interesting to see how the pub fairs with an Antic venue over the road and a micro pub a little further away competing for its customers, but this remains one of the best pubs in town.

The Park Tavern official site - www.parktaverneltham.co.uk

The Park Tavern official site - www.parktaverneltham.co.uk

Randomness Guide to London - Park Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Park Tavern entry