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The Woodman, Carshalton
Carshalton
SM5 3AG
Pub Type
Star Pubs & Bars (Heineken)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Graham Coombs left this review about The Woodman
Apparently converted from a butchers shop many years ago, and still emblazoned with a wine bar sign which is clearly isn't. Still very heavy on the wooden beams, but at least they are in a light oak colour so not too oppressive. I couldn't quite work out why they were not using the main entrance, but instead squeezing people through the fire exit. A couple of handpumps offered a rather tired Adnams Bitter and Doom Bar and frankly I could understand why I was the only customer. A lot of potential but the awkward location at the end of the shops on a busy road probably rules out the much needed investment.
On 24th September 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Woodman
Undoubtedly on old building that should be oozing character and ambiance, but as Quinno explains below it has been poorly modernised and any real pub personality has been thoroughly ironed out. Crap music in the the background was irritating as was the ignorant (as to who had been waiting longest) bar service, the three beers available were Adnams Southwold Bitter, TT Landlord and Caledonian XPA.
A wasted opportunity.
On 13th June 2018
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Woodman
A super location opposite the ponds and a pretty historic-looking building too. Advertised as a wine bar externally but in reality it is an upmarket boozer -the selling of sausage rolls and pies do rather attest. Internally it has been quite badly stripped-out and blandized in the lower bar but a couple of touches from what feels like a late 60’s/early 70’s brewery-sponsored refurb remain - fakeo wood beam ceiling, leaded windows. To the left up some steps is a more traditional seating area that is clearly another 70s refit hangover. Three ales at the bar; Adnams Bitter (ok), Bombardier and Deuchars IPA, so guessing this must be an ex S&N pub. Nothing to really write home about, overall. Could be much better (and probably was, 20 years ago).
On 4th July 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Woodman
This is a pleasant little pub with a rustic feel situated opposite Carshalton Ponds. Inside there is an L-shaped area with most going on in the front bit where the bar is along the back wall. There is a beamed ceiling with wooden posts, the pub has a genuine old feel, mostly leaded windows excluding what are probably replacements, the side area is up a few steps and leads on to a rear garden which has the usual picnic benches. The ambience and lighting is different up here and there is a stove on the hearth of a former fireplace. Rugby on the TV, watched by a few on bar stools, the atmosphere was good on a Saturday afternoon with congenial sports fans and a wedding group from the next door church. A few bits of different decor including a French version of a map of the world.
Three handpumps, John Smith's Cask showing to me an unprecedented appearance this far south, Caledonian First Dawn plus a reverse clipped Pump that looked like Doom Bar but can't be sure. Food served and Woody's Burgers are heavily promoted.
This is a nice cosy pub, certainly not the best in Carshalton which has a few top drawer pubs but definitely worthy of inclusion in a tour of the area.
On 20th March 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Woodman
I visited the Woodman on Friday evening a couple of months ago and found a fairly busy L shaped pub. The bar is located at the front of the pub and couple of steps up to the right is a seating area that leads to a rear beer garden. The toilets are also located here and I had to tip toe through rivers of urine to get to the khazi – nice!
There are plasma screens located throughout and during my visit a Football League review show courtesy of Sky Sports was being aired to the disinterested punters. Karaoke is advertised for every Thursday from 20:00 and DJ nights are hosted here at the weekends. The doors don’t open until noon every day and there is a late license until midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday and until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is also a sign in the door that states that entrance is not permitted after 22:30 so I would expect a lock in atmosphere.
The bar is stocked with a standard draught selection alongside Amstel and the three hand pumps were drawing Bombardier, York Brewery’s Legacy and Castle Rock’s Diamond Reign.
There are better pubs in the area so I’ll probably give this place a miss next time I’m in Carshalton.
On 22nd July 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Woodman
I was in here for a very swift pint a couple of weeks ago. This pub is in a setting that appears quite rural, with the sun setting through the trees across from Carshalton Pond it should be quite idyllic. The ales were good, as mentioned by other reviewers, but on the Friday evening we were in I found the pop music to be unnecessarily loud and thus inhibiting conversation. But I suppose that’s a feature of pubs on a Friday evening. Nonetheless, I would give this pub another shot if I was in Carshalton during the daytime.
On 14th June 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Woodman
Little to add to PSM's extensive review.The view through the large picture windows over The Ponds is impressive,especially in sunny weather.Butchers hooks are situated on the exterior front wall above these picture windows but were obscured by bunting on my trip close to the Queen's diamond jubilee.The pub atmosphere was lively,and the muzak was turned up quite loud on this particular Friday evening,but the sight of two handpumps dispensing York Brewery and Castle Rock beers gladdened the heart. The third handpump was devoted to a regular in the unfortunate shape of Bombadier.I would give this pub another visit if I had more time in Carshalton ,given the ale selection ,good location and upbeat vibe.
On 29th May 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2728 recommendations about 2728 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Woodman
The Woodman is an historic old pub next to All Saints Church, dating as far back as the 16th century when it used to be a butchers shop. The interior is quite dark and cosy with plenty of wooden beams and dark wood panelling, although some of the panelling seems to be newer and has been painted to fit in with the rest. The overall effect is quite nice and offset with muted lighting. The front half of the pub houses the servery and has a few standard tables and chairs, with the best ones being those in front of the windows, giving you a view out over Carshalton Ponds. Past the servery there are steps up to a flagstone floor lounge area which has been filled with sofas and comfy chairs. A large fireplace dominates the rear wall, or at least it would if it had not been mostly covered by a huge blackboard promoting various DJ nights. Such blackboards are everywhere you look, advertising live sport, cocktails, quiz nights and the like. Several TV screens were on showing coverage from the football league whilst a pretty good soundtrack played over the speaker system. I noticed that there is a garden to the rear, but I never got round to having a look at it.
There were three beers available on my recent visit – Wells Bombardier, Moorhouse Black Cat (£3.60) and Robinson’s Enigma. I tried the Black Cat and found that it was well kept and an enjoyable pint. The barman was a cheerful bloke who seemed to have a good rapport with his customers and there was quite a nice atmosphere all round thanks to a good crowd of locals starting to fill the place up.
I quite like the feel of this place and I always think it’s worth having a quick look to see if they have anything interesting on at the bar. There are of course better pubs in Carshalton, but this place always seems to be busy, so it’s clearly doing something right.
On 18th May 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]