The Maxwell, Orpington

The Maxwell is a comfortable enough little pub, but the ale choice is somewhat limited, with just Courage Best on during my visit, and with the three other pumps unused. The Courage Best wasn’t brilliant, although drinkable, and at £3 a pint not overly extortionate. They advertise food, but I didn’t see any sign of menus during my Wednesday lunchtime visit. But there was a heated container behind the bar containing pies and pasties and the like, so if that was the food on offer a menu wouldn’t really be necessary. Seating is mainly banquettes around the sides, some normal tables and chairs, and one tall table with tall stools. There were some mugs hanging from a beam; there was a large TV in one of the corners, but all in all this is a fairly comfortable pub. The best thing about this pub is that it’s the only one anywhere near Orpington train station, and jolly useful if you have to wait for a train. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit a pub with such a poor ale choice (there’s never been much of a choice here), but there are worse places to have to stop off for a pint.