Lucky for us, you do not need to be a horticultural mastermind in order to enjoy one of Putney’s greats.

The Venue
A short walk from the high street, The Jolly Gardeners blends into its surroundings well. Through the patioed beer garden and into the pub, you are greeted with a very spacious venue that is kitted out to serve a fair number of people at any one time. A large U-shaped bar sits in the centre with a multitude of tables and sofas dotted haphazardly around. There is a traditional open fire and plenty of leg room.

The Atmosphere
A brilliant Sunday afternoon venue, but in the same respect a victim of its own success. The Jolly Gardeners is a rare breed in London: firstly, there are the numerous board games for you to borrow to while away your time; secondly, for £2 you will be given all the material to make your own sock-monkey - a boast that not many pubs can make!

Unfortunately, despite the pub’s size, it can get a little busy with staff being pushed beyond their limits. The uniqueness of the place is no secret and people do travel to come here.

The Food
The food at The Jolly Gardeners is a bit of a hit or miss affair. Firstly, the menu is quite varied, from your classic roast chicken, beef or pork, to risotto, salmon or vegetarian Wellington. The meal prices are reasonable for the area at just under £10, with a roast beef dinner setting you back £8.90.

Whilst the food is certainly tasty and of a decent quality, it’s not going to set the world on fire thanks to the numbers they are catering for, sometimes resulting in a lengthy wait. Nonetheless, this is Sunday lunch must and if you visit with a good group of people and enjoy some of the activities, then you’ll hardly notice.

The Drink
Traditional ales are in the frontline at The Jolly Gardeners, alongside your usual pub brands. Highlights include Leffe, draught Peroni, Staropramen, London Pride and Fruli. Prices are in the usual London range, with Fruli setting you back £3.85, Staropramen costing you £3.15 and Becks Vier being £2.95. Wine by the glass is just under £3 for the house choice and bottles cost £14 upwards.

The Last Word
The Jolly Gardeners is what Sunday afternoons are made for. Unfortunately, everyone seems to know it, which has a knock on effect on the service. All the same, you should take a look for yourself.

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