Latest reviews from Mitcham

“An actual pub, which is a rarity for Wetherspoon’s, which favours conversions of other premises. This means that the pub has an actual cellar, below ground. The manageress looks after her beers very well. The staff are extremely helpful and I have never waited for long. Very good value! The real ale I am drinking is £2.05 (12/2015), and yesterday the Sunday roast was £6.49 including a drink. Someone once told me that the building was designed by the same man that designed Westminster Cathedral (John Bentley), and it looks like his style, or perhaps just his office style. The centre of Mitcham has just been massively overhauled and looks much better, so the whole milieu of the pub has improved. This pub can be a bit cold; there are radiators around the walls but they don’r seem to work. There is a large amount of regulars - is that good or bad? I think it’s good. I have never seen any hostility in the pub. The manageress seems to haver banished all the rowdy elements who now inhabit the pub directly over the road (The King’s Arms - avoid!). Normally there are 5 guest ales on. It’s a good choice, especially at £2.05 a pint (December 2015). The pub is essentially in three sections. There is the front area, near the road, which has a dartboard and the Men’s toilet. There are many diehard regulars here of all types. Then there is a central area which seems to almost entirely paddies. At the back there is an area under a sort of atrium or pentahedric glass ceiling which allows in a lot of light. It is this light which attracts crossword solvers, readers, thinkers and wood pigeons. There are about 20 tables in this area, which the management will arrange into large agglomerations in order to accommodate large groups. It is great to see big office parties sat together and having a whale of a time. Sometimes tables are marked RESERVED but normally with a time ("after 4pm"). In this section is the woman’s toilet, which my daughter tells me is very good. The Gent’s is also very good, it is smallish but kept very well. It has 4 urinals and one sit-down. Right next to the gents is a disabled toilet. This must be good as many people in wheelchairs use the pub. I tend to only use the pub in the early daytime. I occasionally use it at night and it doesn’t seem much different. I mean it’s not like one of those seaside towns that become horribly violent after 9pm. So I would say that if I were visiting Mitcham then this would be the first pub on my list. There aren’t many left now, this is one of the old ones, the old Bulls Head, and it is worth visiting.“

Offramp 3088 days ago

“Wetherspoon conversion of an older pub in a an equally old building, and some of the features indicate this as it has a worn feel about it. The outside of the building is quite striking and is a fine example of early 20th century architecture when London expanded rapidly south. It’s very much a locals pub but it’s big enough to accommodate and a quiet spot can usually be found. There is a small walled garden area to the rear. Ale is served on two sets of pumps.“

ManVsBeer 4080 days ago