The kind of sprawling pub central London can only dream of, Dulwich Woodhouse is another example of the Young’s chain getting it right. Particularly when it comes to the details, like the glorious beer garden out back.

The Venue
Dulwich may not be everyone’s first choice when thinking of where to pop to for a pint – if nothing else, like huge swathes of south east London, there’s no tube. Gasp! However, if the sun is shining and you’re looking for more space than a little spot of pavement then it’s in places like this where you can really enjoy the rare glimpses of summer.

Make no mistake, this is one big pub. Set in a sprawling period building, sadly painted in a rather odd shade of yellowy cream, it certainly makes its mark. Inside it’s pleasant with a homey, living room appeal that makes it ideal for chilly winters. Carpets, wooden panelling, an eclectic mix of patterned seating, a huge bar, granny lamps, ornate mirrors, pictures on the walls… the list goes on. Dulwich Woodhouse is the kind of place where even regulars probably don’t know every nook and cranny. But all of this pales in comparison to the beer garden. It is simply beautiful. The curving, well-maintained pathway makes its way through the lush green lawn. There are lots of clean benches with a colourful array of parasols. And there’s even an interesting water feature in the centre of the garden, made up of huge rocks. It shows up many of London’s ‘beer gardens’, which consist of little more than two benches and some patio underfoot.

The Atmosphere
Dulwich Woodhouse is a pub of two halves. In the winter, the cosy interior attracts the locals looking to escape the drudgery of the bleak cold outside and immerse themselves among the warm lighting and comfortable seating. Come the summer, the beer garden comes into its own with hordes of sun-seekers turning various shades of red whilst drinking more pints than is probably wise on a Sunday afternoon. Either way, the atmosphere is comforting and upbeat. The staff are friendly, too, and quick to serve.

The Food
The menu at Dulwich Woodhouse is typical of Young’s pubs. Prices for a main course come in at around £10 and include a mix of the usual – think steak and ale pie or sausage and mash – to the more unusual. Venison burgers, neck of mutton and butternut squash risotto make up some of the more impressive options.

The Drink
Although there is a good selection of wine at Dulwich Woodhouse, with a strong choice of reds and whites, priced mainly under the £20 a bottle mark, it’s the beer that really does the talking here. Although, if the beer really does start talking to you, you’ve probably had enough! Regularly recognised by beer guides, the pub offers a choice of lagers like Peroni and Pilsner Urquell on draught and, of course, they have their lengthy selection of Young’s ales. And if you do end up making this your regular stomping ground, they have rotating options so you never get bored.

The Last Word
This pub should come with a warning. Once you sit in its beer garden, most other London pubs will pale in comparison. Hard to beat for an al fresco pint or five.

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