It would be very difficult to miss this landmark pub as it’s situated right on the roundabout that shares its name, Shooters Hill. There are 5 parking spaces directly outside and ample parking on the side roads, or you can get to it on bus routes 161, 244, or 486. Although there’s not much point in travelling too far to get here.

The Venue
The Sun in the Sands is a typical old mans pub with two very different entrances: the games entrance is where you will find two pool tables, a darts board, various games machines, and lots of foul language; whereas the lounge entrance takes you through to plenty of tables and chairs, a large screen projector for sports, and a juke box. The smokers are also catered for with a few tables and chairs outside the front of the pub. The whole place is in bad need of a facelift. The chairs are ripped, grubby and tatty, the carpet sticky with stale beer, the walls are nicotine stained and, of course, the toilets leave a lot to be desired.

The Atmosphere
Basically, there is no atmosphere at The Sun in the Sands. It’s the perfect hideaway for desperate blokes that don’t really care about their surroundings and just want to escape the missus, have a pint and a Ruby Murray, and watch the sports. The only people that you generally find here are locals who can’t be bothered going further afield, or regulars who have been coming here for so long they haven’t noticed that pubs have moved on in the last few decades.

The Food
The food is the only thing worth mentioning at The Sun in the Sands. Indian cuisine is supplied by a company called Lime Leaf, who have taken over the kitchen and not only offer a good curry served in the pub to go with your pint but also do takeaway and delivery. The food is authentic and arrives hot and fresh by a friendly waiter without too long a wait. Try the king prawn puree with a generous helping of juicy prawns and a slightly sweet, slightly spicy sauce complete with a good hint of lime on a soft puri bread. Or there’s the lime leaf special biryani containing melt in the mouth chunks of lamb, tender chicken and succulent prawns on a bed of light pilau rice with a vegetable curry on the side.

The Drink
The Sun in the Sands has a selection of Fosters, Carling, Courage Best and Strongbow on draught, and Budweiser, Becks and WKD in bottles. Usual spirits – Smirnoff, Gordons, Bells, all available at typical London prices, nothing to write home about.

The Last Word
If you’re the type of person who enjoys a no-frills, old fashioned pub then fill your boots, otherwise just take the next exit off the roundabout and keep driving until you find a pub in the 21st century.

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