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The Park Tavern, Eltham, SE9
SE9
SE9 5DA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Park Tavern
Some nice Truman branding on the outside, while inside is a pleasant lounge-style room with a new wooden bar being the main feature. At the rear is a patio garden. The bank of handpumps had six beers on offer, although it was a little disappointing that the usual display of sample jars seemed indistinguishable in colour - why not a bit more variation or some local brews? That apart, they did seem to take some pride in their beers, taking one off because it was "not quite right", which is commendable. For the record, the ales were Razor Back, Wherry, Hookey, Ghostship, Youngs Cityscape and Courage Best.
On 5th October 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Park Tavern
This is a very attractive pub from the outside, with its original Truman's signage seemingly intact, but inside it's a different matter with no heritage features surviving as far as I can see. But that's not to say that the interior is unattractive, as it's still as comfortably furnished as it was when the previous reviewer visited over a couple of years ago. I have to say that I don't think much of the Ikea style bar counter and canopy, but maybe others find modern light pine attractive. It's bare-boarded at the front of the L-shaped room, and carpeted to the left and rear of the room. All the chintzy drawing room decor is still in place, including period lampstands, classic style prints, and loads of chinaware on the walls. Furnishings are of the traditional style, which suited me just fine. I saw the small garden at the rear, but January is not the month to go exploring gardens.
The beer range is at least as good as that encountered by previous reviewers. There are eight handpumps, with six in operation dispensing Timothy Taylor Landlord; Harvey's Sussex Best, Robinson's Overhang; Rudgate Ruby Mild (£3.80 a pint); Black Sheep Resolution; and the now rarely seen in London Skinner's Betty Stogs (£3.60 a pint). This is an excellent selection at very competetive prices.
We found this a serene and relaxing place to enjoy a pint or two. They still play classical music from classic FM or a similar radio station. A visit to this pub is a must if you're in Eltham.
On 27th January 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Park Tavern
Just off the main High Street this is a very smart and well presented L-shaped pub that offers a classy drinking environment in sharp contrast to many of the other nearby pubs. Upon entry you can immediately sense the pub's former two bar layout, with a nice stained glass door to the front right, no longer in use but still bearing the pub's name, and some incongruous pillars around the corner of the servery all hinting at the former floor plan. The servery has a modern looking bar counter with a rather unattractive pine canopy, but the bar back is of a more traditional nature and very pleasing on the eye. A selection of comfortable furnishings can be found to the front and down the left hand wall, opposite the bar. There is an attractive fireplace with a nice carriage clock above on this wall, and the décor throughout includes traditional items such as watercolour paintings, period lamps, various jugs and vases in the window sills, decorative plates and an unusual short bench with a mirrored back. The rear of the room leads out to a very pleasant patio garden which a number of customers were taking advantage of on a warm weekend afternoon. The day's papers are available from a rack near the bar and an interesting radio station playing classic movie soundtracks provided entertainment of a sort rarely found in a pub these days. A very basic menu detailed pub staples such as pasties, pies and dressed crab.
A surprisingly wide ale range was available at the bar, with options extending to Courage Best, Hobgoblin Gold, Truman Runner, Purity Pure Gold, Hook Norton Lion and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. Two more hand pumps remained unclipped. A friendly landlady served me a good pint of the Harvest Pale which went down very nicely in these relaxed surrounds.
This is a really well run pub with a clear vision of the sort of establishment that they want to present and as a consequence, provides a welcome refuge from some of Eltham's less than salubrious watering holes. It will be interesting to see how the pub fairs with an Antic venue over the road and a micro pub a little further away competing for its customers, but this remains one of the best pubs in town.
On 2nd August 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Park Tavern
The Park Tavern is one of Eltham’s few pub success stories. In the not too distant past this was a basic run down and quite drab boozer where the the only punters were there to watch horse racing or bore you death with inane drunken conversation.
Over the past 4 or 5 years the pub has been transformed into a well managed and civilized place far removed from anything else in the area.
The pub is a stand alone traditional style building bearing old Trumans signage and an abundance of flower baskets. The interior has been sympathetically refurbished without losing too much of its character although sadly the original twin bars have now been merged into one which I suppose does remove the dash down the side alley to get between the bars. Parts do look a bit too new, notably the bar itself which is still gleams as new without so much as a glass ring on it. In the front bar the pub name is emblazoned on a door in coloured glazing. The decor throughout is very fresh and light with collections of plates and pictures neatly spaced out along the walls. To the rear is a tidy and presentable patio with potted plants and there is also a smaller patio at the front.
The beers are amongst the best in town although that’s not hard. There are 8 hand pumps with 6 available on my recent visit – Ringwood Best, Exmoor Ale, Adnams Lighthouse, Hepworth Pullman, Youngs Ordinary and Hogs Back TEA. They are regulars in the Good Beer Guide although prices are a bit steep with my Pullman steaming in at £3.50 which is more on par with Central London than Eltham.
The pub does pride itself on its standards of behaviour with swearing frowned upon and immediately chastised and any improper dress actively discouraged. There are no TV’s and the only concessions to entertainment other than conversation are a few traditional board games and the classical music in the background that not only gives the place a touch of class but also acts as another safeguard against the invasion of undesirables who are more suited to the Old Post Office just down the road.
The Park Tavern has certainly been given a new lease of life and is without doubt the beer oasis of Eltham and the only place around here worth heading out of the way for.
On 20th August 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Park Tavern
Obviously it has changed since the last review and has had a re-furbishment and is now a very clean and comfortable back street pub and although I have not been in all the pubs in Eltham I would imagine it is one of the best ones around.A good selection of up to 6 real ales with the "Landlord" in perfect condition. This pub is well worth a visit.
On 25th February 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Morris left this review about The Park Tavern
In the process of a major redecoration so let's see what other changes take place. Up until now I wouldn't go in, even if I was dying of thirst. I probably wouldn't be allowed in anyway unless I could provide an up-to-date UB40 (it's just along from the jobcentre). Get the picture/clientele?!
On 8th November 2007
- rating: 2
[User has posted 3 recommendations about 3 pubs]