14 Crooked Billet,
Wimbledon Village,
London,
SW19 4RQ
0872 148 5536
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
The Crooked Billet is popular come rain or shine, with courtyards for alfresco drinking in the summer and roaring log fires in the winter. Just what you need when the weather is this unpredictable!
The Venue
This very pretty 500-year-old building sits on top of Wimbledon Common, and with beautiful views outside and a real sense of history inside, there are plenty of wow factors.
The solid oak beams and parquet flooring of the Crooked Billet complement the medieval flagstones, found throughout this rabbit warren of a pub. There are several areas, some large, some small, that are available to hire privately and lots of hidden places for more intimate chats. The separate courtyards are a perfect spot to have an alfresco drink. The dining area is very rustic with bare brickwork and more of the beautiful wooden beams on show. Great for winter warming are the log fires that are kept burning throughout the colder months (that will be most of the year, then!). However, to keep up with modern times a plasma screen is in situ showing live sporting events, such as the Wimbledon tennis (naturally!).
The Atmosphere
The Crooked Billet is somewhere people linger, and with lots of comfy chairs and benches placed on Aubusson style rugs, there is no shortage of seating, which people make the most of as they drink in the view. Sporting events inevitably add a more upbeat edge to the pub, but overall it’s a pretty relaxed, informal setting.
The Food
The Crooked Billet prides itself on delicious food, and it is well known locally for the menu. Dishes on offer include a few German specialties, a slant that you may also notice in the beer choices. Starters cost from £4.50 for the soup of the day. The signature dish of fajitas is £9.95, sandwiches come in at £5.50 (Somerset brie and fruit chutney) and all puddings are £4.95. Eton Mess is a great summer choice.
The Drink
Heineken, Strongbow, Fosters, Guinness, Starproman, Bombardier, Leffe and Erdinger are available on draught with a choice of ales and bitters also on tap. Also on sale is a good selection of bottled beers, over ten at the last count.
Wine averages at £4 for a small glass, a decent bottle will set you back around £15, although all house wines are £13.50 a bottle. Sparkling wine and Champagne is £3.80 for a glass of Prosecco all the way up to £130 for a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee Brut NV. Pimms is £3.80 a glass or £14.25 a jug.
The Last Word
With picturesque Wimbledon Common on your doorstep, delicious food and a building steeped in history, the Crooked Billet is an excellent all-rounder.