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Picture of The California
Image posted by Ebenezer Crutton
Submitted on Sunday, 6th March 2011
With picture contributions to 19 other pubs
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The California, Belmont, Sutton

Pub added by Steve C
267 Brighton Road
Belmont
Sutton
SM2 5SU
Phone: 02086429799
Correct details

Pub Type

Ember Inns (Mitchells & Butlers)

Served areas

Reviews of The California (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Nick Davies left this review about The Belmont

Not much to detain you here. Great British Carvery is Orchid pubco's emulation of M&B's Toby brand, but even further downmarket and without M&B's professionalism. An early evening - well 7PM - visit on a weekday evening found the usual edge-of-town gloom: a few sweary white van types in the bar guzzling Wifebeater, trying to avoid going home; a couple of youngish families in the restaurant doing battle with the carvery buffet which could easily have been incubating since lunchtime. Abbot and Pride still on the pumps, and as we suspected they might be connected to the same barrels as on MM's visit we stuck to Stella like everyone else once the lone barman had dragged himself away from his mates to serve us. And pubcos complain people would rather stay at home. Carvery style places are popular in this neck of the woods, I can think of a couple which are mobbed out by 6PM every day. This one could be too, but for the mind-numbing complacency.

On 11th February 2014 - rating: 3
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about The Belmont

This is a 1950s built roadhouse, close to Belmont Stn, apparently replacing an earlier pub called the California Arms that was bombed in WWII. Nowadays it functions to a large part as a carvery restaurant but the small central area has the bar and this together with a rather spartan side conservatory provides ample room for drinkers. This is probably rather important as the pub is the only one in Belmont and the only one for quite some distance. The bar area seating was exclusively at high tables which are not to my taste at the best of times however in here they have still succeeded in getting the table height and bench seating level totally wrong unless without noticing I have gone from average height to a Lilliputian.
Décor/interior wise, the main bar is boarded with a "welcome" carpet leading others directly to the carvery area, there is a through fireplace between the bar and side conservatory plus a modern IKEA style shelving unit featuring IKEA style vases and other ornaments.
There is a car park and disabled persons' WC facilities. Outdoor seating to the side. Live football on TV.
Three handpumps, rather surprisingly, GK Abbot, seasonal Rocking Rudolph and Pride. The RR was just about passable, the struggle the lad had pouring it and the consequent over large head by now being of little importance to me, I had by now decided that this is a drink up and go pub.
The place clearly provides a service to the good folk of Belmont but without competition it really doesn't have to try and therefore seemingly doesn't. Or maybe of course the management just do not realise, the other punters in seemed happy enough.

On 21st December 2013 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]

External web links for The California

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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Steve C
Belmont, 0.2 miles, 3 min walk (show)
Sutton (London), 1.13 miles, 21 min walk (show)
Cheam, 1.47 miles, 28 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The California, Sutton
21st May 2017, 17:06
Web Link submitted by Rex Rattus approved
 
21st May 2017, 13:39
Web Link submitted by Rex Rattus

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Beer Garden : Yes last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • CAMRA Discount : Yes - Discount amount not stated by Croydon CAMRA - last updated 18 October 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Car Park : Yes last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 23 December 2023 by Tris C
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Live Music : No last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Live TV Sports : No last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Micropub : No last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Real Cider : No last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 21 May 2017 by ROB Camra
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