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A friendly traditional local popular with a mixed clientele of all ages for its homely convivial atmosphere and welcoming to visitors. Situated in a quiet street in a conservation area off the main road, this retains the look and feel of a country pub. Built in 1840 as an ale house, this would once have been surrounded by countryside. The front room is small with half-height matchboard panelling, old fixed bench seating and a drinking shelf along with leaded glass in the windows and a stove. The door to the right was once used for off-sales. The bar itself has tongue and groove panelling with a plain and well-worn counter. An opening leads to a larger back room, also with panelling, in an L-shaped configuration created in the 1970s. Toilets are outside across the courtyard.
A small paved courtyard is at the rear with several table sets and benches, plus a modern retractable canopy which is employed in inclement weather. The outbuilding at the end is used to store the beer and is believed to have once been stables. A small area out front has further benches plus seats to one side.
The cask ales are from Harvey's and Timothy Taylor with a couple of guests.
Historic Interest
Built as an ale house in 1840, only beer was available here until the mid 1970s. The inside was then changed with partitioning removed for separate off-sales.
Chancery Lane is an old historic lane dating back to at least 17th C. when it was called Alley Lane, part of the former hamlet of Oakhill. The current name dates from 1854 following the Court of Chancery declaring the site of the nearby former workhouse as charity lands.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
A delightful pub in a quiet lane off the main road. It retains the look and feel of a rural pub, reminiscent of when it probably was surrounded by countryside and farmland. The front room is extremely small and its size alone makes it a precious survivor. It has half-height matchboard panelling and old fixed bench seating. The bar has tongue and groove panelling with a plain and well-worn counter. The landlord believes it dates to the 1920s. The barback also appears old and intact and is pleasingly plain. There is leaded glass in the windows. Partitions were removed in the 60s and the door to the right of the pub, now not in use, previously was for off-sales. The fireplace has been retained with a stove in place of a hearth. An opening leads to a larger back room in an L-shaped configuration which was created in the 70s. This smallish rear room also has panelling. There are outside toilets across a courtyard.
This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Jolly Woodman, Beckenham
Changing beers typically include: Adnams - Southwold Bitter