The Bulls Head, Chislehurst

The Bulls Head Hotel has an impressive exterior and is located a short walk from the war memorial. Inside, the lounge is a large, but cosy affair with nice furnishings. The main bar is more simply decorated with high tables and chairs. As a Young's house, it had their Ordinary & Special, along with Proper Job as a guest. It is currently table service. The young staff were quite efficient, but prices are on the steep side.

Substantial Young's hotel at the eastern end of the Royal Parade, with the facades covered in creepers and the frontage enlivened with hanging baskets. The main 'L'-shaped Main Bar is located in the centre, with the dining rooms on the right-hand side and a separate (no children) Lounge Bar to the left. Modernised, yet semi-traditional furniture and decor throughout. Ordinary, Special and Hogs Back TEA (£4.85) available from the various handpumps on the two counters.

The Bulls Head is a former coaching inn dating back to 1753. It has been owned by Youngs since 1931 but had to be partially rebuilt after it was bombed in 1945. Previous guests have included Henry Cooper who regularly stayed at the hotel ahead of his boxing matches. The pretty exterior seems to have an ongoing battle with the ever creeping ivy that gradually obscures the pub before being severely hacked back when appropriate. A flag pole towers over the main door that leads to a porch and 2 separate bars, the main bar to the right and lounge bar to the left. The main bar stretches through 2 rooms and is long but quite shallow so apart from a few stools at the bar, furnishings are limited to a series of high tables opposite the bar although it does open up a bit the further down you go. The décor is quite generic with bare parquet flooring, a few old pictures and a TV. The carpeted lounge bar has a warm cosy feel with a more relaxing ambiance as one would expect. At the rear is a separate dining room and beyond this, a pleasant and spacious beer garden. There is also a ballroom for larger functions. There are 4 hand pumps in each bar, both dispensing the same 4 ales, these being the usual Youngs staples of Youngs Ordinary, Special, Bombardier and Courage Directors. Quality was very good. Not sure about prices as it wasn't my shout. Food is around £8-£15 and whilst I have never eaten here, it did appear to be popular and I could imagine this being a decent enough place for occasion meals. It is very much an all year pub, cosy in the winter with its open fires and good for al-fresco drinking in the garden in summer months. The major downside is that as it is a Youngs tied house, the chances of getting any imaginative beers here are limited. Worth a visit if passing through.

Official site of the Bulls Head, contains menu and beer details - www.thebullsheadhotel.co.uk