Freelands Tavern, Bromley

This delightful one storey street corner local dates from the 1870s. A former Beasleys of Plumstead pub, it has a hipped roof and two prominent pillared doorways with segmented pediments. The pub is now a single space. There is a central servery with a promontory counter which is almost certainly Victorian. At some point, the right hand counter has been moved inwards, thus reducing the size of the servery. The mirrored bar back looks old, and is a two sided affair. Much of the lower shelving remains. A narrow passageway runs behind the servery; this provides access to the door to the cellar. The former Saloon Bar is to the left, and the outer door here retains its etched glass denoting this appellation. Beyond is a slightly lower area with a panelled dado. This was formerly accessed by a doorway that is now blocked.

There was formerly a vestibule at the front which would have had doorways to the two separate bars and an off sales An attractive feature is the sunrise stained glass in the upper lights. There’s a cast iron fireplace on the left (possibly an import ), and in the former backroom an attractive wooden one. That towards the rear of the right hand side is an interwar job. A refurbishment took place in 2014.