The Cockpit, Chislehurst

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Cockpit

I was last in Chislehurst in September 2020, just 3 months before this micropub opened. My last visit was to take in 5 average and below average pubs. I have to say that the Cockpit trumps all of them hands down.

I initially walked straight past the pub. The front of this micropub actually houses a florist and it was only the presence of some Cockpit signage on the pavement seating area outside that made me realise that it must be close by. When turning back, I still had to have a double take as I still could only see the florist!

Once past the flowers, which make quite an unusual entrance to a pub, there is a reasonably large seating area leading up to the bar at the rear, which has a cool room behind it. Cask ales are listed on a blackboard behind the bar. Amongst other boards, there was also a cider list off to the right-hand side.

Ales on were Cockpit Pit (presumably they also now brew their own beer), Full Circle Kiburi, Thornbridge Country Man, Kent Session Pale, Drop Project Flow & 360° Summer Breeze. Ciders were Pilton Labyrinth, Oliver's Wild Farmhouse Autumn Blend, Turner's Elderflower Cider & Rhubarb Cider, Ross-on-Wye Opposites Attract, Broadoak Perry & Nightingale Tenterden & Discovery.

Customers seemed to be mainly locals and quite a few were indulging in substantial snacks, including pies and Ploughmans. This is Bromley CAMRA's Pub of the Year. There are some good pubs in the Bromley district. So, this is some feat given they've only been open for 2½ years. I can't argue with the choice of pub for the award, as this was certainly my favourite pub of a day in South East London. I'm sure I will return. Although, it's a shame that there are no other decent hostelries in Chislehurst.

On 22^nd June 2023 - rating: 8
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