The Jolly Farmers, Purley

Cracking music evening and the beer was top notch and in good nick. The best pub in Purley for my money.

3 Jun 2015 22:46

The Kingswood Arms, Kingswood

This pub is quite a revelation - an excellent example of a thriving community pub that can serve lots of food but not turn itself into a 'gastro experience' for those of us who prefer to eat at home. Great Xmas decs too - perhaps they should leave them up all year? And the location next to Kingswood station can't be bettered. What a shame the last train back in my direction is before closing time.

13 Dec 2008 17:35

The Derby Arms, Epsom Downs

Tried this pub last night following a recommendation from a couple of friends. Cycled there from the station and, it being a dark night, wore my bright orange high-vis jacket.

On being served my half of Tim Taylors, I was told by the young guy behind the bar, politely enough: "Ahem, terribly sorry, but my manager's asked me if you'd take your high-vis jacket off. Don't know why...."

I'm at a loss. Is the manager a rabid Irish Republican? Or did it just make me look like a road-mender or railwayman? So perhaps the class system is alive and well in Tattenham Corner?

Anyway, the manager didn't have the guts to talk to me directly but instead chose to delegate a potentially tricky task to a junior member of his staff, so no points for you matey. I'll give the pub itself 2 as the Tim Taylors was OK.

Anyway, I drank up quickly and headed down the line for the much more convivial surroundings of the Kingswood Arms, a few stops down the line.

13 Dec 2008 17:28