Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 3 and Version 2 of Great North Wood, SE27 0HS

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category='Free Wireless,Good Beer Guide 2019,Pub Food,Pubs,Real Ale,Step-Free Access'
category='Free Wireless,Good Beer Guide,Good Beer Guide 2019,Pub Food,Pubs,Real Ale,Step-Free Access'

Pub in West Norwood, situated on a corner site just by the station.

The space feels fairly open, aided by the tall arched windows on the front and side walls. Wood panelling and exposed brickwork add interest. A few high tables are arranged along the front window, and tall stools line the sturdy square central bar, but there's ample regular chair and table seating to either side of the room. Original art hangs on the walls, priced for sale.

A short corridor at the back gives access to steps leading down to a part-covered beer garden. Next to this is a staircase up to the "common room & library", which as of October 2018 is still in development but according to a member of staff will eventually contain bookshelves, comfy chairs, a selection of reading material, and possibly a bookswap.

Kake visited on a Thursday lunchtime in October 2018. There were three or four other customers when I arrived around 12:15pm. Music was playing quietly. Service was friendly and helpful. Three of the four handpumps were clipped for Sambrook's Junction, Truman's Runner, and Beat Metal Head. A pint of lime and soda was £1.20.

According to the Great North Wood website as of October 2018, food is served noon-4pm and 5pm-9pm Mon, noon-4pm and 5pm-10pm Tue-Fri, 10:30am-4pm and 5pm-10pm Sat, and 10:30am-9pm Sun.

In October 2018, Kake's roasted vegetable and halloumi sandwich (£6.50) photo was simple but good. There was a good balance of veg to halloumi, and the veg (courgettes, red peppers, and onion) were nicely roasted. The halloumi wasn't fried — lightly warmed at most — but this worked fine in context. A small bowl of decent enough crisps was served on the side, but this was more salt than I really wanted after the halloumi.

They have free WiFi which requires registration (though doesn't seem to require a real email address). On our October 2018 visit we had a bit of a faff getting the sign-in page past our adblocker, but it worked in the end.

Child-friendliness: They have a short and rather unexciting children's menu with only one vegetarian option. There's a pull-down nappy change table in the accessible toilet.

Accessibility: No steps to get in. There's a large toilet cubicle on the ground floor with a wheelchair symbol on the door, containing a low sink but no grab bars, alarm cord, or hand dryer. Steps to the upper level and to the beer garden.

See also:

Last visited by Kake, October 2018. Opening hours taken from the Great North Wood website, October 2018.

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