Star at Sidcup Place, Sidcup

Converted manor house / council offices / etc. in a fine position in parkland just west of the town centre. Recently revamped by Marston's, but the various rooms in the historic interior retain a lot of character, and there is also some additional patio seating outside too. That said, the beer 'choice' is surprisingly pedestrian, with just Pedigree, Hobgoblin and Boon Doggle available from the three handpumps.

This must be one of the most unusual London pubs that I've visited. This magnificent building has in the past been used as a manor house, a fort, a school, and council offices, and has now reached the pinnacle of its achievement as a pub. It has a beautiful setting in the middle of a park, with the original building's walled garden open to the public and maintained by local volunteers. The earliest part of the building dates from the mid 18th Century, but bits were added by the Victorians, as well as in the 20th Century. As you would expect, there's plenty of room for outside seating. It's an enormous building, now occupied by Marston's, and most of the multitude of rooms of which it's comprised are now being used as a restaurant - glossy menus are available on all the tables featuring mainly pub grub at reasonable prices (e.g. Beef & Pedigree Pie at £8.25). But one fairly large area is available for drinkers, and is furnished with bucket armchairs and normal tables. There were three ales on - Pedigree (of course), Hobgoblin, and Ringwood Boon Doggle. Apparently the Hobgoblin was in super shape, unlike the Boon Doggle that was barely drinkable. I would recommend a visit to this pub for the wonderful building in which it's housed, and the delightful setting, plus cheap and cheerful pub grub. I'm giving it an 8 for the location - not for the beer.

Official site of Star at Sidcup Place - www.sidcupplacepubsidcup.co.uk

Official site of Star at Sidcup Place - www.sidcupplacepubsidcup.co.uk