please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
After moving back into the area and on the hunt for a local. Visited The Brownswood... Well this place has changed! Expensive and staff are rude, no atmosphere, selection of ales Not to a great standard. So after reading other reviews, I'll be off to the Jolly Butchers!! Although owned by the same company.
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Interesting, @georgesmiley, I didn't realise that. Visiting the respective websites for these pubs it is plain each pub has been targeted towards a particular market and strongly so. So, while the Brownswood and Jolly Butchers both focus on cask ales, the way they are presented on the Brownswood website is different. I noticed as well that in the Brownswood they don't use the brewery pump clips but have a house style of handwritten pump clip. Overall, the effect of these clips is less "rough and ready" or "CAMRA nerd" and more "refined" and "tasteful" or something of that kind. It's clear a lot of thought has gone into it. (On the other hand, I know from the Southampton Arms website that they accuse the Jolly Butchers of having copied their concept and exterior sign style, and they are not too happy about it either.)
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note to beerman who says "its not a patch on the jolly butchers"....its owned by martin who owns the butchers !!
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Has been completely revamped and gone quite 'gastro-pubby' if we can still use that term! The revamp will divide punters I am sure as there is a very different feel to the place. The upstairs room is light and airy and there were lots of people eating. The main improvement is the beer garden at the back - it's huge, better furnished and is a much nicer space. I am sure there will be lots said about it and for what it's worth i liked the old pub but understand why it has gone the way it has - they need to make money - and will carry on going.
celt7 - 13 Oct 2011 09:55 |
This pub was one that I have passed frequently on the bus over the years but had never got around to visiting. It appeared to have closed down recently, but this closure is now revealed to have been temporary and the place has been revamped and reopened as 'The Brownswood'.
First off is that I don't like the renaming. The place was called the Brownswood Park Tavern, and was no doubt referred to informally by regulars as 'The Brownswood', but I don't see the need for this trend towards enshrining an informal name as the actual name of the pub. (I have seen this elsewhere, eg another pub in Stoke Newington that has had its name shortened in this style.)
As to the pub itself, it has a fair few ales on hand-pump but the selection was not particularly imaginative and the prices were on the expensive side (�3.30 for a pint of Harvey's Sussex Bitter). My pint, which I noted was served somewhat short, was drinkable but not a patch on the same product (Harvey's) served at the Half Moon, Balcombe. I am not an expert on what makes the difference between an excellent pint and a distinctly average one, but this definitely fell into the second category.
This pub, although appearing to be jumping on the real ale bandwagon, is not a patch on places like the Southampton Arms or Jolly Butchers. The ambience is different (I'm not keen on the 'clean' interior and bland star motif decorations on the walls of the upper floor). I would say it appeals to a different crowd. It doesn't appeal to me, that's for sure.
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Judging by the below reviews, this place evidently has a sizeable local following. By far its strongest point is the tremendous and seemingly unspoilt interior decoration - bits of the pub, and particularly the dining area at the back, can't have changed much since the Victorian era. It's not on the CAMRA Heritage Pubs list (I've just checked) but perhaps it should be.
Pub-wise, it's very much a locals' boozer of a somewhat down-at-heel kind, but I did note that, unusually and laudably for a pub of this kind, it was serving two ales: Deuchar and Directors when I visited. It was rather dark and depressing on the afternoon I visited, but perhaps that's the price paid for preserving the interior as they have done.
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It's alright, food looks quite nice, but I've never indulged. Only criticism would be the fairly large (but friendly-ish) dog that was lying around, tripping me up.
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i am really sad to hear about kay, my sincere condolences to billy. I moved away a year and a half ago and i had many a lock in with them. i have only just found out thru this site. i am in shock. they were the only pub in london that i have ever had the village feel as i had in cornwall.. PROPER LANDLORDS.
Pauls flatmate
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We've set up a Facebook site for all Brownswood lovers (it's like a big old dysfunctional family anyway). Go to facebook and look up the Brownswood Park Tavern Appreciation Society!
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Sad news indeed for what is a great local.
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I've been using this pub for about 7 years and love it. However, on 9th February Kay unexpectedly passed away. This will be a great loss to the community and the pub.
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I love this pub. I've been living around the corner for about 3 years now, and Kay & Billy treat us like one of the family. Good thai food, a great mix of people... it's everything you'd ever want in a local. I sympathize with the moving situation too, as we're looknig around and don't want to move too far from it!
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Excllent local - very friendly staff - really made an effort.
Fab Thai food.
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This is the perfect local pub. I'm thinking about moving house, but frankly I'd be upset if this wasn't my local and therefore I'm delaying the move.
The pub used to be a druggie, violent, dodgy hell-hole; it's now been transformed by the family running it into a true 'local' with always a friendly welcome and a good mix of people drinking there.
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Brilliant pub, good mixture of friendly people and a nice pint.
Will defintiely be in again if in the area
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Started coming here a couple of months ago, yet within this time i have been so warmly welcomed, i feel like a member of the family! Always a friendly atmosphere, and an entertaining night. Well done Kay and Billy!
anonymous - 21 May 2006 17:32 |
The largest indoor bicycle rack in London, many with anxious owners looking on each time the stack is disturbed - the reason is ths boozer mixes the locals with the indoor climbers from the Castle climbing centre across the road. Beer -well the is ale in good nick usually Pride, Deuchars, and one other if your'e lucky, still its a good spot despite the smokers fud. The Alsatian has no hint of its Germanic roots being a little soft and not too bothered by the errant brits/others mix....
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Great local in a sea of madness!!
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I was visiting London at the weekend and came across this pub,cant disagree with the comments.Great staff friendly locals and a bookies next door what more could you want.
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One couldn't ask for a better local. Billy must be the best landlord in the world, who is rather fond of a cigar along with a single malt whisky!
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Never fail to have a good time in this great local. Good beer and such friendly staff. Highly recommended.
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I've been going to this pub for about 5 years and absolutely love it. The Thai food is excellent, and they also do a roast at the weekend.
The crowd is very mixed, the staff friendly and fun. They make an effort to learn the customers names, and always make you feel welcome.
The kind of pub where you feel perfectly at ease turning up on your own and either keeping to yourself, or sitting at the bar chatting to staff and other punters.
Top notch local.
Caitlin Ivory - 12 Jul 2004 11:36 |
Great Thai food served by resident Thai crew who are really friendly.
Frequented by the crowd from the Castle climbing centre opposite. Good pint of Bass if you're inot that sort of thing.
Dan K - 10 Mar 2004 13:09 |
Traditional pub with range of drinkers, from old boys to students and locals.
It has a beer garden and table
The food is excellent, with a good range of excellent thai food.
Paul Singh - 10 Sep 2003 16:56 |
