Park Tavern, North Kingston, Kingston Upon Thames

The Fishers bar at the Craigard Hotel [admin note: corrected name slightly 11/03/2010]

Nice and comfortable with a homely feel, one room almost split by the central wooden bar. Bench seating and bar stools, carpeted so none of the echoing noise you get in some more minimalist places. Lots of unusual nic nacs around, notably an East Riding Constabulary plaque and a set of manacles.....no stealing glasses here then. A stuffed parrot sort of bird presides over the cig machine. Sporting prints, mainly rugby adorn the walls and beermats of earlier guest beers on the ceiling and around the bar. It was lively and chatty, the Euro football showing on the small tv but the plasma on the wall was off. Efficient service and a very good line up of regulars TT Landlord, Youngs Bitter, Adnams Broadside, Pride, and guests Hogs Back Friday 13th.....I assume today's special, not sure if brewed for today or renamed, plus Elgood Cambridge Bitter. All in all very nice but jaw dropping prices, £3.40 for the Elgood's. Note, this review is from 2008. 06/03/2010 In again last night, very pleasant, convivial and the log fire going. The ceiling is now entirely covered in beer mats and pump clips from previous guest beers. We enjoyed the Caledonian 6 nations themed beer.....something Tackle....and the Sharp's Cornish Coaster. Good stuff. I have to say I don't recognise this pub from the review below where it is referred to as "The New Inn".

They had six ales on the other when I dropped in here at lunchtime – TT Landlord, TT Golden Best, London Pride, Fuller’s Jack Frost, Young’s Bitter and Highgate Stocking Filler. I had the Golden best and the Stocking Filler, and while both were excellent the Stocking Filler was not cheap at £3.30 a pint. But the Park Tavern was a very comfortable and warm refuge from a bitterly cold December day. The ceiling was literally covered in different pump clips, presumably indicative of a dedication to providing regular guest ales. Furniture consists of stools with backs around the bar, and normal tables with banquettes around the walls plus a few small stools. Carpeted throughout. Masses of rugby centric memorabilia adorn the walls. I didn’t see a one-armed-bandit; I saw one small TV high on the wall that was not switched, but there may have been a larger TV tucked away where I could not see it. There was no music playing. So, it was very quiet when I was in there – three obvious regulars plus me – and no music or TV on. This has very much the feel of a backstreet local, and I like it very much. Do not go here for a wild time, but do visit if you want a quiet pint in convivial surroundings. Food consisted of a tray of rolls covered in clingfilm behind the bar. Classic – a bit like stepping back in time about 30 years. Highly recommended.

This is a good example of what a mundane ordinary pub can achieve with an enthusiastic landlord and a bit of imagination. Situated in a smart residential location and a bit off the beaten track, it is not particularly easy to find. The entrance is via a small beer patio at the front. The interior is U shaped with a central, quite lengthy bar and pew style seating around the edges. There is no real style to the pub but there are enough oddities and interesting nick-nacks to give the place enough character without going over the top. Patriotic pictures of the Queen Mother and God Save the King posters blend in with a selection of brewery clocks, barometers, carved animals, lanterns, bedwarmers and assorted jugs, pots and pans. A deers head acts as a handy hat rack and the fireplaces still contain the old pokers and coal scuttles. A cabinet contains a selection of old international rugby caps and a rugby shirt signed by Rob Andrews and Bill Beaumont. Much is made of the beer selection and with 6 Real Ales including several rotating guest beers, there is little to complain about on this front. One wall of the pub is actually plastered with hundreds of old pump clips. It was fairly quiet on my visit (a Sunday evening) and therefore not smoky. Very much a locals pub but well worth searching out if in the area.

My local - great beer - rugby - brilliant