Run by Kentish brewery Shepherd Neame, this residential neighbourhood boozer wouldn’t feel out of place in a sleepy corner of the Garden of England – on fine evenings you can even drift outside to
watch local boules & pétanque matches on the green spaces of immaculately preserved Cleaver Square. The pub is within striking distance of the Oval, so cricket is something of a decorative
theme & the place gets packed at close of play when Test matches & big county games are on the calendar. Spitfire & other Shepherd Neame ales are on draught, & the kitchen dishes up
plates of sustaining home-cooked food of the lasagne/beef stroganoff/fish & chips variety. Hot sandwiches & cut-price, one-dish lunches too.