please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub is a rare oasis in a rather unlovely quarter of London. Handsome carved Arts & Crafts-style furniture, vases of lilies on the bar, piped jazz turned low, and a range of handpumped ales in top condition - all come together to create a highly attractive ambience. Civilised customers, courteous bar-staff and an amiable landlady. Best pub for many miles. Thoroughly recommended.
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This is a fantastic pub to visit. Traditional, fair prices and friendly bar staff.
When I moved to Eltham I wanted a good local. We all like Weatherspoons pubs for price but it's fair to say a lot of them lack originality and character.
The Park Tavern is a traditional old pub with classic FM playing, a fine ale selection and plenty of wines. They do have contactless payment too so they are modern for paying
It's the best pub in Eltham by far
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just to give a shout that there's a beer & cider festival this weekend ..... called in on my annual visit to family in the area and was thrilled to see that I (and some cousins) will be enjoying an interesting ale or 5 this weekend !!
would recommend it !!
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Had a low expectation when last visited due to the area and lack of options but was pleasantly surprised - well stocked range and attentive bar staff, will certainly not be the last time we go there for a few jars
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3rd pub of the day and this is the first “proper” pub we visited.
I haven’t been here for around 20 years and it’s changed considerably.
Busy on the Saturday afternoon with plenty of people eating, the food looked pretty good.
Several ales on the hand pumps with my choice being Castle Breweries Harvest Rock, a very decent pint.
Mixed clientele, but very much locals and of all ages. The bar is slightly bizarre I’m unsure if it is original or not, but it doesn’t look original.
Overall a nice pub but slightly soulless to be perfectly honest.
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back in Eltham for another family get together and thought I'd try the Park Tavern again since my first visit last year ..... found out that the pub is still as I remember it and they're celebrating Cask Ale week this year by knocking 10p off all their pints of ale !! Tried 4 of the 7 on offer yesterday and was told that there's another 8 different beauties sat in the cellar waiting to be enjoyed !! will be back again at the weekend to enjoy a sup or five in pleasant and sociable surroundings !! Can't recommend the place enough ... it's a real gem !!
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Still a top pub for the true discriminating beer drinker, still has Classic FM playing quietly. Love the Trumans tiling, hopefully BITE will include the photo I'm submitting. A 9 out of 10 pub.
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Popped in on Sunday with my Brother in law for the first time and really enjoyed the atmosphere, friendliness of the staff and above all the range of Ales. Lion from Cotswolds, Exmoor Ale, Jennings Cumberland Ale were on as well as Hop Stuff from Woolwich Arsenal and a Brewery from Chatham. I had 3 halves and a pint which were all well kept and served at the right temperature. Didn't eat but the food is well priced for London and looked appealing from what I saw served. A very enjoyable visit. 9
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called in at the weekend .... seems they are having a mini real ale & cider fesival or "celebration" until sunday 7th October .... had * ales & 2 ciders available with a total of at least 12 ales to be tried & enjoyed over the coming week !! All for just �3.40 a pint and only �3.00 a pint for us CAMRA members ..... don't forget your card !! lovely little pub, very helpful staff and great beer .... I'll definitely be back again next weekend !!
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Very nice pub, just off Eltham's main drag. The interior is well kept. The clientele were of the elderly variety. Classical music was playing to maintain a relaxing experience. There was a good selection of ales too - St Austell Tribute, Youngs Bitter, Courage Best & Directors, Sharps Doom Bar, Brodies London Fields Pale Ale & Batemans Summer Swallow. Addlestones cider was also available. The barmaid was very pleasant. Recommended if ever in the area. By the way, I also recommend the Howerd Club in Rochester Way (not listed on here). The locals were very friendly when you eventually find them!
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Nice in the garden, but if you fancy a bottle of wine it will cost you �16, Chelsea prices in Eltham.
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Having not been back for a while, I was very pleased to see the standard of beer has imporved and is now back to a very high standard and it is easily the best pub in the area.
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popped in one evening on hearing good things about this pub .... quite surprised to find a wide range of drinkers by age ....from conversations we had it seems they're largely all drawn to the ales & wine or the buzz of the place .... can't believe that light classical music & jazz could be so inobtrusive!! Ales on top form and had 6 to chose from .... shame that grub is only served at lunchtime ..... would recommend it as a well run little pub that you can strike up a sensible chat with your fellow inbiber ..... will be back !
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Seven real ales, wonderfully welcoming staff, far too busy. I'm not criticising, it's clearly the best pub in quite a wide area.
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Has got back to something approaching it's former high standards now that Linda's sister is in there full time running the place. I made a previous comment about the quality of the ale slipping, but can happily report that normal service has been resumed and long may it last !
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a very warm and welcoming pub with 8 real ales. the deuchars and youngs were spot on. i was told the log fire is being lit soon so that'll be a treat! very friendly bar staff. will definitely be coming back. attracts a better crowd than the other pubs in eltham!
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First visit found when walking the Capital Ring. On our mid week visit eight beers on including Hogsback tea and Hobgoblin both in excellent condition. Food was good and the barmaid friendly and efficient, a nice pub
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characterful South London pub, beer quality excellent, and a good mix of customers
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The guvnor seems to have vanished, however, now the garden is in full bloom, enjoy your fags and a nice pint in good surroundings.
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Went in for a drink on Christmas eve and only the owner and one barmaid were on duty attempting to serve a packed bar. Gave up after waiting and age for the second pint and like a few others decided to go elsewhere. Shame, because otherwise it is a decent pub with decent, if overly cold, ales. Recurring under staffing issue needs to be addressed.
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Popped in for the first time to this lovely traditional pub. I can't say I found anything to complain about. The Harvey's and the TT Landlord were excellent.
Friendly barmaid who knew her stuff. I'd certainly go again if I was in Eltham.
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Like previous reviewers the standards have unfortunately slipped, I visited on Saturday for the first time in a few months. The beer was acceptable but frustratingly the selection was only 5 beers as the others were off.
The bar staff at times seemed more interesting in texting rather than serving drinks and come closing time it was more like drinking in a Weatherspoons with the staff appearing desperate to get everyone out by 11.15 rather than the previous pleasant requested and everyone leaving happily.
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Harveys.....a good post, don't drink in Eltham to often these days but if I do then the Park is a pub that I would always head for....won't be bothering anymore, Eltham will be somewhere to pop for a bit of shopping.....not for it's pubs.
MSE12 - 21 Sep 2010 16:30 |
Have to say, I used to love this pub. However, since the owners have branched out into other pubs in Gravesend and Folkstone, they have allowed the previously high standards to slip. The previous poster's comments are spot on regarding the real ales. As my user name indicates, I do like a pint of Harveys, but it got to the stage I gave up having it as I had to keep asking for a replacement. Either sitting in the barrel to long, or the pipes aren't being cleaned properly. The owners need to get back on top of this place or all the previous good work could slip.
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Maybe the nicest pub in Eltham....However I had two pints of different ales and both were pretty poor, I know I should have complained but the young girl was pretty busy and I didn't want to give her any more hassle. 5-6 ales on is all well and good but the majority in there were drinking lager and my guess is that some of those ales had been on for more then 5-6 days, lager is not my drink of choice but if they keep on serving up ale of the quality I had then I'll happily order a pint of Stella.
MSE12 - 31 Jul 2010 10:24 |
Good pub, relaxed atmosphere and missing the riff raff that usually frequents Eltham pubs!
6 hand pulls on, usually including Landlord, Pride, Harvey's Best and Tribute
TMSE9 - 18 Feb 2010 15:45 |
Very pleasant park just off Eltham High Road. Good pints of Tribute and Brains plus some good lunchtime fare, including some yummy home cooked puddings.
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I have to say I was a tad disappointed with the Park. I had made the trip there after being advised it was the best pub in South East London. It seemed to lack the character I would expect of a pub having more the feel of a twee national trust tearoom.
There are 6 handpumps of which when I was there only 4 cask ales were on with sadly Harveys Best (one of my favorites) off.
That said if I lived in Eltham I'd sure be a regular.
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I had heard good things re the Park Tavern so went on Friday evening before heading to Bella Rosa. Saw the Grand National in here about 3 years ago and wow what a transformation. Absolutely love it, it's filling such a niche in Eltham, as we're not all thugs with tattoos. After dinner came back for another 3 drinks and got chatting with some chaps. Yes, age could be brought down a tad, but nothing really to worry about. I loved the whole experience of going to a nice pub in Eltham for the first time in 6 years, and am looking forward to heading back!
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Possibly the nicest pub in Eltham. That doesn't say much I know. Excellent beers in well kept condition. Cleaner than clean pub. Now that's its only problem. Too clean, and too sterile. It looks like someone went wild with a Laura Ashley catalogue. Its like sitting in your nanny's front room. Its a twee wine bar that serves excellent beer. Its not a pub in the classic sense of the word. Couldn't even get a packet of peanuts.
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Wow, hadn't been here for many years since I went there to look at the Truman tiling, and remember it as a basic unremarkable pub.
Having been advised by a local resident that there had been changes for the good went there last week with a lady companion who wasn't keen on going there [Eltham is the pits, we can't eat there].
We did eat there,excellent meals, excellent St Austell Tribute, [TT Landlord and Harveys Sussex was also available] and subdued Classic FM in the background.
Highly recommended.
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Just had been in this pub and I loved it!!!)))
Me and my friend just wanted to find a nice place to have a chat and drink good quality beer. We really found it!
The place is very nice and quite before 6pm. Toilets are amazingly clean and beautiful! The whole atmosphere in the tavern is great!We even had some pieces of nicest cheese and garlic bread as if we would be guests at a higher level party!)
No bad smell at all, which is usually always there in the pubs... We just enjoyed the atmosphere all evening!)))
Would give 99 out of 100...but just because didn't had anything from food, only beer, however I think they have something great to feed you with!))
"Complimenti"!!!)))
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What did the other two think?
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I have just had lunch at this supposed pub, I feel like reporting this venue to the trades description act. The beer is excellent, however I felt very uneasy drinking in a place where my party had been curtailed for laughter.
The food was very basic and the portions were extremely small, even smaller than a taster menu at an exclusive restaurant.
The staff are very dower and have no conversation skills and very little manners.
The bar area looks very cheap and thrown together with the flimsiest of woods. I will not be venturing to this establishment ever again.
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I was one of a group of four business people at lunch sat at the end of the pub as many tables for 4 were occupied by one person. One of our group (a man of 61) was approached by the barmaid and told TO STOP LAUGHING as it was upsetting the owner in the kitchen! When asking why we were told that if we didn't like it to drink elsewhere!
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Excellent backstreet pub with striking Truman's classic tiled exterior. Sympathetic soft wood furnishings and a cosy back garden - all very relaxing. Six ales on offer included Hook Norton, St Austell and Harveys - well conditioned - served by a friendly, chatty barmaid.
Textbook example of attracting the right client�le and completely turning around an unremarkable pub.
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KM 1983. We do not want the clientele of the now defunct Post Office p/h.
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What a very relaxing place to be with well kept beer.
The main downside that I have come across on my few visits is the whinging of some drinkers/ diners who don't like the relaxed atmosphere and the classical music. We know what they should do, don't we.
Have yet to try the food but have heard good reports.
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done up very nice but far too many rules bit over the top especially for eltham, i know evryone needs rules but when it gets to the point that your too scared to even move in case you get barred its a bit much and whats with the men can't wear vest tops but women can is that not a bit sexist???? not a great fan
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Every time I visit, there are different beers on tap, wonderful, not to expensive either.
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Excellent little pub. Visited for the first time on Sunday lunchtime and friendly welcome, good decor (agree that the bar itself isn't quite right), gentle chattering clientele, and 2 nice pints of Theakstons. I'll be back.
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Come on strongarm, I was there last Sat. evening and the place was full of MILF'S. You a smoker, plenty of seating outside for you, with ashtrays stuck to the walls in the narrow corridor.
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Passing by the Eltham McDonalds - heaving with gormless teens and Eltham's finest shaven-headed, bulging, tattooed geezers - it's a relief to find that the old and decoratively-tiled Park has adopted a defiantly contrarian strategy to attract a very different crowd. A characterful interior, spotless and classy loos, Classic FM, no fruit machine, free broadsheets and four real ales - in good nick if the Harveys is to go by (and a cloudy pint exchanged with no quibbles but only apologies). What's not to like?
Well, a few things. I'm 44 and think I was the youngest customer - there's a bit of a golf-club vibe - so maybe the target demographic could be lowered just a tad. Not stocking bar nibbles just seems odd. And the Sunday roast - often the curse of an otherwise good pub - was bland and tasteless (is it THAT difficult to cook your own roast potatoes rather than buy frozen?). But overall a good experience and if (unlikely) I'm in the area again, I'd go back. Friendly note to landlord: keep it "apart" but don't vanish up your Arras doing so. And work on the roast lunch or, better yet, offer some proper food.
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Recently refurb'd and a complete change from the old place, not just in looks either! The division between the two old bars has been removed to form one large drinking area. New friendly management and a good choice of beers; Moorhouse, Harveys, Brakspears and Pride. Classic FM is on Saturday day time and adds to the peacful atmosphere. Good mix of clientele, nice to see some senior locals being welcomed too. Have yet to try it, but the food looks good.
This one is well worth a visit.
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Beautiful old Truman's pub with a bar that looks like it's made of balsa wood and bought as a flat-pack from Ikea. If you're going to refurb the place, do it well! The drink selection is reasonable and the rest of the pub is well furnished, it's just the bar that looks hideous.
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Excellent refurbishment job, the beer (Archers I tried) was in perfect condition and the staff were excellent, very welcoming indeed. First Class.
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A big improvement on the old pub. Visited last week and the Archers was good enough that I didn't try the Pride or 6X. The Bar staff were friendly and the food looked good although I didn't try any. Watch the opening hours though. I think it closes all day Mondays and Sunday evenings
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I visited there on Saturday night for the 1st time (despite walking past hundreds of times before) having been recommended by a friend. The pub has obviously been recently refurbished and this has been very tastefully done and is complete with an open fire which was more than welcome on a cold February night as was the landlord. There was a selection of Archer�s, London Pride, Wadworths 6X and Pedigree. There was also a couple of lagers but I did not take much notice what they were. My two companions had London Pride and one of the lagers. Given that we popped in for a quick pint and stopped for 3 it gives a good idea how much of a pleasant surprise this pub is. Hopefully, it does not slowly change to be similar to the majority of other pubs in Eltham.
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Yep, visited this newly opened little pub. Good selection of ales, nice log fire, no tv's, darts or snooker tables, probable the place is to small for such attractions, great. The pub is probable going to be a regular drinking hole for a few, cannot see it ever becoming crowded. Nicely decorated with a cosy feel about it. Hope it survives, should do provided the chavs do not move back, and yes, very reasonable priced ales.
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Yes just been past and peered in the window, it's clean and bright inside and handpumps with London Pride, 6X, Pedigree and a beer from Archers Brewery. As the previous writer said, it's about time Eltham has a decent real ale pub (sorry Rising Sun but Greene King ain't the best). What with the new �20M leisure centre and the new trading floor at M&S things are looking up!
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Have spoken to the new owners: It will be a totally different pub to what it has been recently. Real ales (why do pubs in Eltham think John Smiths is a proper beer?!?),a good wine list,unobtrusive music, good food (not the usual local "and chips" type of stuff) etc. Opens in about 3 weeks time.Apparently it will not appeal to the clientele who were using it before it closed (PS: no I am not the new owner!) I for one am looking forward to it. Eltham is not exactly well represented on the pub front.
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The place has been gutted and is undergoing complete refurbishment, when finished, please no tv's, snooker tables [pool],cooked meals or juke boxes, lets stay real with good ale and a place to chat at normal volume.
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Been closed for a few weeks. Hand written sign in the window says "closed until further notice"
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A place to sit at lunchtime, have a couple, buy a couple of dodgy videos, and watch the chavs go by, friendly staff and beer ok. It is a local used by the same people every day and night, a little like the Queen Vic.[Eastenders]
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I always had this down as the worst pub in Eltham. On my single visit to this place it was confirmed. And that was in 1991.
Judging be the comments here it hasn't changed!
Nothing like progress, though i find that these are the type of pubs that will survive all trends in the pub game. How weird isd that?!
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Nice Old Traditional Looking Place.
Good Range Of Ales And A Nice Sun Trap Of A Beer Garden At The Rear.
My Rating 8/10
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Always been put off this place because of the look of the people drinking at the tables in front of the pub. Went in the back bar tonight and was pleasantly surprised. Friendly-ish staff and regulars. I wouldn't go out of my way to get there but it's better than the other pubs in Eltham apart from maybe the Rising Sun
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It may look quaint inside and yes the landlord is aimiable but unfortunately you can't control some of the low lifes that drink in there, even during the day. My partner and I went in the midday on a weekday and were threatened by a middle aged beer belly bulging moron who was as red as a beetroot and proclaiming his patronage to the English flag. Sigh it's morons like this that the flag of St. George could do without. All in all if the landlord can clear out the chaff then this could be a good little pub one day, hopefully soon.
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4 years ago, on another pub review website, I wrote that this pub should be avoided at all costs having spent a miserable half hour in drab surroundings trying to escape from the local pub bore who enforced himself into my company. I even suggested that the pub would not look out of place in an episode of Steptoe & Son and certainly did not expect to venture through the doors again. Having discovered the positive comments and high rating (albeit from 2 people) on this site I decided to give it another go along with all the other pubs in Eltham. All I can say is that the Park Tavern has blossomed into a cracking little pub. This is mainly due to the hard work of the amiable landlord who treats the pub as a labour of love and has sympathetically refurbished the whole pub without losing any of its traditional characteristics. The 2 bars are still completely separate � if you want to move between the two you have to go outside and down the alley � a rarity these days of knocked through bars. The small front bar that was so drab 4 years ago has been brought to life with careful refurbishment, traditional trimmings and strategically place plants. I am reliably informed that this bar tends to be a meeting place for horse racing fans during the day. The slightly larger rear bar is crammed with nick-nacks from bugles to bottles, posters, old mirrors, a portrait of the pub and even a mannequin perched precariously over the bar. The walls are part pine and part original brickwork with every nook, cranny and recess being put to some use. There is also a well positioned big screen. The beers are fairly mainstream apart from 1 revolving local guest beer provided by the Millis Brewery of Erith with whom the boss has a good relationship (apparently they have made a beer especially for him). Expect to see one of Dartford Wobbler, Kentish Red, Gravesend Guzzler or Thieves and Fakirs on offer � it is a shame that there isn�t enough room for them all but it is always a delight to find a pub that supports the local independent brewers. The images of my previous visit have been well and truly buried and I can only endorse the current 8/10 rating. All I need now is an excuse to go to Eltham more often.
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its heavy and it aint closed
alci - 23 Feb 2005 14:03 |
Closed
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Only decent pub in Eltham. Fine local ale (from Dartford) on sale the last time I was in there.
michael - 27 Oct 2004 15:22 |
Back street pub, nice atmosphere in the back bar
anonymous - 9 Apr 2003 14:47 |
