The Blythe Hill Tavern, Catford, SE23

There is no other universe in which I would not agree with the reviews below and the stellar ratings for this lovely venue. It looks so ordinary from the outside, it is ordinary on the inside and the sum of the parts in this case adds up to magical. Don’t get me wrong, I love an Irish oriented pub with the telly’s covering the evening cards, but it is discrete and the distinct areas make for a truly enjoyable pub experience. There were four beers on hand pump, what seems like regulars here, namely Harvey’s Sussex Best (my choice and very well kept), Doom Bar (I would hazard a guess that tastes like the nectar of the gods here), Hophead plus Olde Trip. Was a difficult decision not to have the Guinness here, but already have plans for next visit. The staff were lovely and the old school Irish chap that I assume is the manager / owner you would love to have him as the same in your local. I only stayed for the one pint as there was other venues around I wanted to get to that I hadn’t been to previously. We will all do that and tick off venues but we note and embed the true gems in our own experience and will come back to frequently or not frequently but enough that we honour their presence. This is one for me and whilst the cask choices weren’t imaginative, there is economic reality of what the locals choose and this venue is so much more than choices on a beer spectrum (based on my choice all of which presented tonight woukd have been good). The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in SE23. At a minimum have already decided I will return to watch the opening day of Cheltenham 2025 and stuff myself with Guinness and Tayto S&V crisps.

Official site of The Blythe Hill Tavern - www.blythehilltavern.org.uk

Official site of The Blythe Hill Tavern - www.blythehilltavern.org.uk

Very much a locals pub albeit a mixed clientel, Young , old and the bit in the middle, it would also seem to be very much a Millwall FC stronghold going by some of the tattoos on the necks of various middle aged guys. As mention before a splendidly unspoilt three roomed pub, all off which were equally attended as was the garden on an overcast but warm day. There were four cask ales on during my visit, Doom Bar (of course) , Harveys Sussex Best, Dark Star Hophead and Adnams Mosaic, I had a pint each of the last two and found them to be competently kept, these were backed up by a standard range of keg with a couple of craft offerings from Beavertown. All in all a very good pub that certainly is worth the ten mimute walk from Catford but I find myself agreeing with the late Aqualungs assessment that the beer offering was a little on the mainstream side of things and as such I wouldn't be enticed to make that particular journey on a regular basis.

Famous from the Deserter Blog and Podcast. If you haven't found those - then you probably should. Never fails to make me laugh. One of those pubs you could arrive at and never want to leave. I kind of wish I hadn't but as it was the first time in the area, I had plenty to discover. Unspoiled interior of three rooms connected by a central bar. Big garden outside. Harveys Sussex Best, Hopshead Dark Star and of course, Guinness. So much going on - with all walks of life contained within. Old Boy, solo drinkers, families, lads, tourists (like myself). The conversations - which you cannot help but eavesdrop - are better than the TV. Loved it. Will come back and spend longer.

This pub and joiners arms are the 2 most properest pubs in Lewisham. Bar staff are the best in London. Always smartly dressed and always go the extra mile for you. Good bar snacks. Footy always on. Garden a joy in the summer. Alround top pub and just what Catford needs. None of your gentlefication; this is just a solid 9/10 boozer.

The prominent golden cockerel outside shows that in the days of the big six breweries this was a Courage pub. It probably hasn't changed that much since those days apart from the fact that it is a regular GBG entry whereas then it was all keg. The separate three rooms are well described below and I parked myself in the narrow room to the right. There was a choice of five beers Harvey's Best, Dark Star Hophead, Courage Best, Tring Fanny Ebbs and Adnam's Broadside. I went for the Dark Star Hophead (£3.30) which was in very good nick although a trifle on the warm side. Although this is a good example of a relatively unspoilt London pub it didn't impress me as much as it clearly does others. I thought the beer choice was a bit pedestrian and the TV screens are an annoyance. The Caffrey's mirror above the door as you enter is more a Bargain Hunt heavy loss item than an Antiques Road Show treasure. The live evening music is another downside for me. The saddest thing about this pub is that I remember a time when much of the London Young's tied estate was just like this but without the TV screens. It's certainly worth a look but not one I would return to unless I was passing close by. I wish I had referred to Whatpub before coming here as they say it does a 10% CAMRA discount.