Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 4 and Version 3 of Forestdale Arms, CR0 9AS

Pub in Forestdale, near Gravel Hill tram stop.

The decor is fairly plain, and the colour scheme consists of various shades of grey, including the patterned carpet on the floor. The ceiling is flat and low, with recessed lighting, though there are also a couple of conservatory-like pointy bits at the end, one of which houses a pool table. Another pool table is in its own room at the other end of the pub, down a few steps. Seating is mostly banquette style, around the walls and flanked by varnished dark wood tables and chairs, but there are also a couple of high tables and stools, and tall chairs at the bar. There's a reasonable amount of standing room in between all this, and more seating is provided by a few picnic benches on a patio at the front of the pub.

Kake visited on a Monday afternoon in November 2011. One of the two handpumps was on, offering Ringwood Best (£1.50/half). There wasn't anything interesting on offer in terms of lager/cider, just the usual Strongbow etc. The ale wasn't in the best condition, though not bad enough to take back, and I was pleased to see the member of staff pull through the line before serving me (a practice also mentioned in the Pubs Galore comment linked below).

Arriving around 1:45pm on a weekday, I saw no evidence of food (but didn't ask). There was one other customer when I arrived, and none by the time I left a bit later. Music was playing (Heart radio), not too loud, and a couple of flatscreens were showing TV with the sound off.

Accessibility: A step to get in. Once you're in, there's level access to the bar, most of the seating, and the toilets, though the cubicles in the ladies' are a bit of a squeeze. A few steps to get to the separate pool room, but there's also a pool table on the main level.

See also:

• Pubs Galore comments
• Beer In The Evening comments
• WhatPub entry

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