The Sun Inn, Barnes, SW13

Lovely location - overlooking the village pond. Packed solid on a Sunday lunch, so I only saw the inside when battling to the bar, before taking my pint outside. Low beamed, small bar is as much as I registered. Nice front patio area with wide brollies. Northern Monk Eternal Session IPA was rather an odd pint - looked like squash when it caught the sun.

With a prominent position overlooking the ponds of Barnes Green this is primarily a food led pub, which was the main reason we were here, and having a fine weather afternoon we utilised one of the high tables along the side of the pub which overlooks the outside alcove area at the back of the pub. Three of the four handpumps were in operation and alongside Doombar and London Pride was a very passable St Austell’s Propper Job, which went down rather well. The food and service levels were also good for our visit, so I wouldn’t hesitate to return again if needing to eat. But if it’s just a beer you’re after then there are probably better options in the area.

Clearly an old building,there is a front patio with jumberellas and views over the busy road and pond,while the front door leads to the bar in a section with a low ceiling.To the left and right are alcoves,while around the back of the bar is another servery,a slightly larger room with an open kitchen at the far end,with another alcove area leading back to the front.Lots of nooks and crannies but the interior,furniture and pine flooring now look distinctly worn.Everything is done out in dark wood,but there isn't much of interest on the walls and it just feels functional rather than loved.There is a rear door to a courtyard with more external seating. The pub serves food from a short menu,there is proper cooking although my salmon& prawn dish wasn't well presented and at £17 felt expensive.There are 4 handpumps with the choice on my visit Doom Bar,London Pride and TT Landlord (NBSS 3).The rear room will have a drop down screen for Euro 21 footie and this is a pub serving food rather than a gastro pub. It could be a lot better,the pedestrian ale range was typical of a lack of care.

The interior is essentially unchanged since the previous reviewer’s visit, although I didn’t see any tall tables/tall stools (but they could have been skulking in an alcove somewhere). I did spot a very nice Welsh dresser in the area to right of the bar counter though. Furnishings looked quite comfortable. This pub has a nice location overlooking picturesque Barnes Pond, although there’s a busy main road between the pub and the pond. It has all the appearance of a country pub – and of course Barnes would have been in the country when The Sun was built. The seating out at the front of the pub is enclosed by a hedge and is enhanced by the floral displays, both on the outside of the pub and hanging from the lampposts, presumably maintained by the Council. And I managed to get a pint (Stonehenge Eye-Opener (£3.90)) for less than £4! The other ales on were London Pride, Doom Bar and Sambrook Junction. Food is obviously available, with main courses starting at about £10 or so. This would be an idyllic spot to sit outside and sink a few pints on a summer’s day – if it wasn’t for the main road. But it’s still a good pub, and I would be happy to pay a return visit.