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Detail Pages
The Holden, Colliers Wood, SW19
SW19
SW19 2BH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Charles Holden
Across from Colliers Wood tube station. Large split level interior and a garden at the rear. 6 real ales and food served.
On 27th September 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Charles Holden
Visited again recently and Thwaite's Wainwright now cost £3.95 a pint. Update, visited again, 2017. Looks good to me, large garden area. Okay, so a pint of Wandsworth Common is £4.40, but other, stronger ales were the as same price. I like it.
On 1st August 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Charles Holden
The indigo painted frontage and minimalist signage are clear indications of a food led pub. But they did have four ales on – the Courage Best won’t win any prizes from me, but the others were Everard’s Flourish, Kissingate Smelter’s Stout and By The Horns Diamond Geezer. Pints of the Flourish and Diamond Geezer were £8, so obviously around £4 a pint. The food is similarly expensive with the fish and chips at £11.50 and the burger and chips at £12.50. My chum and I had the burger and chips and although it was OK, I still think it was overpriced at £12.50.
As you would expect, a section of the pub is furnished with tables laid for diners. There are some tall tables and chairs at the front, but the raised area at the back still has standard tables and chairs and has even retained the rugby themed prints on the wall. There are now no longer any signs for braais, so I guess that the barbies have been given the heave-ho. The large garden at the back has been smartened up and is in my view the pub’s best feature. It’s a shame that it’s towered by an electricity pylon though. This is a fair enough pub as long as the high prices don’t scare you off.
On 26th April 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Colliers Tup
The ales on handpump were similar to the previous reviewer’s experience, except that on my midweek afternoon visit the Caledonian offering was the Flying Scotsman. The Thwaite’s Wainwright is still £3.65 a pint. The standard menu seemed to be available on my visit, with, as well sandwiches, also having some basic staples such as homemade burger and chips or gammon, egg and chips available. Main courses were around £8. At some times “barbies”, or “braais” (clearly indicating a southern hemisphere influence) are clearly available as advertised on a sign above the bar, and supported by the ranks of barbecues stored at the back of the garden. The rugby influenced focus on sport is still present.
This pub is not particularly designed for luxury, although there are a couple of sofas in a dimly lit area on the left behind the servery. Most of the furniture in the main room is of the large, solid, wooden variety, with a couple of the larger tables being able to accommodate the best part of a rugby team. There were a couple of other welcoming touches that I spotted – the barbie/braai advert saying “enjoy our food or bring your own” (not seen that before) and the “book it tup” sign advertising the free party area. I would characterise this as a men’s drinking pub with the emphasis strongly on sport – indeed I believe it’s recently won an award for best sports pub. This sort of pub is not usually my cup of tea, but I quite liked this one. The friendly welcome from the barmaid and the excellent (if expensive) pint of Wainwright undoubtedly helped.
On 28th August 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Colliers Tup
The Colliers Tup advertises itself as "SW19's Premier Rugby Pub", and who am I to quibble as I am yet to encounter another rugby themed pub anywhere within the postcode. It is a large open plan bare boarded space with a central bar, mixed seating including a few sofas in a semi-separated quieter "zone" behind the bar. The rugby theme is reinforced by lots of pictures, photographs and rugby balls on a shelf, plus a large mural on a wall. Rugby is not the only aspect to the pub however, various themed events were being advertised, such as 007 Bond night, School Disco, open mic night, a quiz, as well as several heavily promoted live rugby matches.
The main area has a banner declaring it to be "The Sound Lounge" while the slightly raised area at the back calls itself "The Directors Box". Beyond here is a spacious well appointed garden with numerous tables but unfortunately dominated by a huge pylon which detracts from the ambience rather.
Decor apart from rugby pics includes lots of sheep related cartoons and caricatures....the name Tup here referring to the male of the species.
The beer selection was fairly reasonable and the pub has Cask Marque accreditation, but it was certainly expensive, particularly for this rather drab part of town. Courage Best, Bombardier, Thwaites Wainwright (£3.65) and Caledonian Chocolate Drop.
Lunch menus were on the tables and seemed to be limited to a choice of sandwiches, jacket spuds or salads, all between £4.95 and £5.95.
It wasn't very busy on my visit here, my beer was reasonable if not in tip-top condition, but it isn't really my sort of pub and the experience wasn't especially enhanced by overly loud trashy pop music plus the three bar staff horsing around and chasing each other about.
On 18th May 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Colliers Tup
6 real ales pumps, Broadside, GK IPA, Bombadier, Doombar. A rugby pub, look for the large rugby ball above the door, bright interior, Raised area at the back. Tables are bookable. They advertise a weekend bonfire.
On 23rd January 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]