The Royal Oak, New Malden

This pub has so much potential but is really underachieving. Lovely Victorian building with lots of original features inside and out, numerous drinking and eating areas inside the rambling interior. I counted 9 handpumps of which just two were operational, one serving Youngs Ordinary, the other somewhat unusually had Mauldons May Bee (seasonal) on. The MB was only just passable, slightly hazy and to be honest I would have changed it if there was a possibility of getting something better. Come on Royal Oak, you could do so much better than this.

Apparently this pub was the Evening Standard Pub of the Year in 1979. I can't imagine it getting into contention now. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with it, but on the other hand there is nothing that makes it stand out from the crowd. There were two real ales on – Young’s Bitter and Black Sheep Bitter. Food wasn't too bad, although my gammon steak didn't look like it had ever been anything like the 10oz they advertised. But tasty nonetheless. Probably the best Pub in New Malden, although that isn't saying a lot. It does have a rather nice beer garden though. Good enough pub if you happen to be in the area, but not worth going out of your way to visit.