This is the kind of boozer that makes you wish you could up and move to Beckenham. A fantastic all-rounder.

The Venue
The Jolly Woodman sits within an incredibly pretty large white building with a bold signage that proudly showcases its location. Surrounded by picnic benches that sit directly in the sun on a warm summer’s day, it really is picture-perfect. Inside, you’ll find a traditional and cosy space packed with character. The neutrally decorated walls keep it from feeling too dark and brooding while the dark patterned carpet and stripped-back wooden tables mix with the warm chestnuts of the bar and fireplace to create a homely feel that wouldn’t be out of place in your living room. The best feature to the space, however, is how much emphasis is placed firmly on the bar. It is the central feature of the room and one that acts as a hive of activity – as well it should be.

The Atmosphere
It’s clear that the locals love the Jolly Woodman and there’s a genuine affection towards it. The banter between the staff and the regulars is warm and effortless but newcomers are also made to feel instantly welcome and at ease. There’s a real sense of inclusiveness here that’s hard not to be charmed by. This is also a pub that gets involved with the community, hosting regular charity nights and celebrating key calendar events like Halloween, St George’s Day and Christmas. Oh and it’s dog friendly – keep an eye out for the cute pug!

The Drink
It’s easy to see why the Jolly Woodman is so lauded by CAMRA. This is a pub that cares as much about its cask ale offering as it does about keeping the regulars happy. They offer five real ales at any one time, two of which – Harvey’s Sussex and Timothy Taylor Landlord – are always available while the others rotate every few weeks. And they keep their beers very well, naturally.

The Last Word
Time to move to Beckenham! The Jolly Woodman is the kind of local that every neighbourhood should have.

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