The Hand In Hand, Wimbledon Common

Not quite sure what 'oban' means when he says that the pub has not been ruined by a refurb. He obviously hasn't been in Wimbledon long.
Fifteen years ago the pub was genuinely genuine. There were stone flags and two old rocking chairs in front of the log fire. Now a huge bar projecting much too far into the customer area prevents such enjoyment. The fire remains (which is good) but there is no room for the rocking chairs, the stone flags have disappeared, and there is an awkward space where you have to push past other people to get to the other side of the bar. But despite the Aussie staff it's still as near to a country local as you can get in Wimbledon. It's friendly, there's always an old codger propping up the bar at lunchtime, and the menu is OK if you don't go too often. (Time for a change !!!)
It's popular on summer evenings too, particularly if you're a teenager who likes rolling about with the opposite sex on grass and dogshit.
Youngs beer is OK, but don't expect some mind-blowing real ale experience.

3 Apr 2008 20:41

The Castle Inn, Chiddingstone

We stopped at this lovely looking pub for Friday lunch and were bitterly disappointed. We were told we could not go in the restaurant so went to the bar. The menu was awful. Chile con carne, curry, veg pasta or ale pie. No fish. Not even a simple steak. The pie was tough meat with a slab of warmed up pastry on top with cold mashed potatoes. When my wife mentioned afterwards that the potato was cold, she was told that she was wrong and that it was not cold. No way to treat a customer.
The curry was a pile of slop on rice with a plastic pack of chutney. Boring but edible.
We were left with the impression that there is no chef on duty and the food is just microwaved by temporary staff.
This pub is a beautiful building and could be great. But something must be done about the bar menu. It was surprisingly empty for Friday lunch, so it is clear that no one goes out of their way to go there.
We will not be going again, except perhaps to have a pint in the summer.

8 Feb 2008 17:33