Half Moon, SE24 9HU
- 020 7616 5276
- 10 Half Moon Lane, SE24 9HU (streetmap) (osm) (gmap) (bingmap) (streetview)
- halfmoonhernehill.co.uk
- Mon-Thu: 7am-11pm; Fri: 7am-midnight; Sat: noon-midnight; Sun: noon-10:30pm
Large Victorian pub on Herne Hill.
It was closed following flood damage in August 2013, and remained closed for three and a half years. During this closure, the lease was acquired by Fuller's, and it reopened as as Fuller's pub and hotel on 20 March 2017. (Our assessment of it pre-closure can be seen on an older version of this page.)
The post-flood refurbishment was a sensitive one, retaining a traditional pub feel with wood panelling, etched and stained glass, and leaded windows in the front areas. Further in is a light, spacious dining area with a "distressed" ceiling and feature wall, all in pastel colours. Seating here is a mix of banquettes, small half-round armchairs, and padded upright chairs. Finally, there's a paved beer garden out the back.
According to their website as of August 2018, food is served 7am-10:30am, noon-3pm, and 5pm-10pm Mon-Fri; noon-10pm Sat; and noon-9pm Sun.
Kake visited for breakfast on a Friday morning in August 2018. There were quite a few people in for the same purpose when I arrived around 8:30am, including one large group who seemed to be staying in the hotel accommodation. Music was playing, so quietly that I couldn't hear what it was under the sound of conversation.
The "continental buffet" looked a little sparse, with just three types of cereal, two types of pastry, and fruit, so instead I went for the eggs florentine (£7) photo. The muffin had a good texture but was perhaps a little sweet for my taste. The hollandaise sauce was smooth, rich, and almost cheesy-tasting (in a good way). The yolks on the eggs were properly runny, but unfortunately the whites were also slightly runny. The spinach was very good: not overly tannic, cooked lightly, and not at all soggy. The sprigs of baby watercress on top weren't really necessary. Overall, it was a decent rendition and I'd order it again.
Tea (£2.70) was provided by Teapigs, and arrived with a tiny bottle of milk and a cup set atop a Fuller's-branded saucer.
Laptop-friendliness: They have WiFi provided by O2, which is free but requires registration. There's at least one set of plug sockets in the dining area, and they were happy for Kake to sit and work on a laptop after finishing breakfast.
Child-friendliness: They have at least half a dozen highchairs, the type with no tray and very little back support. There's baby change facilities of some kind (not checked by us) in the accessible toilet.
Accessibility: Ramp up to main entrance, tiny step (about 1cm) at side entrance. Step-free to garden (use the door past the toilets) and to the toilets, including an accessible one.
See also:
- Photo of the breakfast menu as of August 2018
- Pubs Galore comments
- Beer In The Evening comments
- WhatPub entry