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ONE PUB ONLY?
Railway Telegraph
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
Drink in Central London for a better crawl
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
mmmm!
CHANGES FROM GUIDE
Closed - Fountain Head
|  |  Lord Napier
111 Beulah Rd. Thornton Heath, CR7 8J T 020 8653 2286 Website
G Noel Fleming
F Sunday roast for £3.95
SP SK JB P D
O 12 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The Lord Napier is a classic Young’s boozer with a fantastic twist. It claims to be “London’s best jazz pub” and everything in the pub is geared towards fulfilling that premise. Noel has worked hard to make the pub so successful. Along with its recognition by the local CAMRA group, the inevitable has now happened and he is moving on to pastures new. No doubt, the pub will continue to be the best on offer in Thornton Heath and worth the diversion from the High Street.
The pub is at its busiest on the regular music nights. It has a resident 16 piece band that play in an impressive room that is immediately hidden behind a panelled screen in the bar. When closed the pub reverts to a Victorian classic, all glass and mirrors, chandeliers and feature windows. There is also a large Mississippi scene mural that advertises the musical heritage. I really enjoyed my lunchtime pint chatting to loyal locals. One day I would be tempted by the selection of 23 malt whiskies. On another day I would be interested to see which guests come along to jam with the smaller bands on a Thursday night. Those locals confirmed my thought that after sampling seven pubs in the Thornton Heath area, this was indeed the friendliest and had the welcome you would enjoy. Southampton fans recommended the pub to me, they will no doubt return for years; providing of course the Palace and Saints don’t spoil the fun in the final game of the season, by one being promoted at the expense of the other.
BWV 22.2.06: Young’s Bitter, Special | |  Railway Telegraph
19 Brigstock Rd, Thornton Heath, CR7 7JJ T 020 8239 9857
G Charles Bohan
F Kitchen under construction 12 to 2, 5 to 10
MP SK BM P D
O 12 to 2 Sun - Thu, 12 to 1 a.m, Fri - Sat
Everything about the Telegraph is impressively new. It had been recently revamped when I visited and the effect will be one that has been needed in the High Street for some time. Charles now has a pub that successfully marries both the modern and traditional. The refurbishment is not yet complete but I am assured that the new kitchens will mean good food but not to the detriment of being a good traditional pub in the classic suburban style.
The pub has very friendly staff and locals. They were very keen to talk about the beers and how this pub is really needed in the local area. There were some great features in the new design. Charles uses the stage area to crate a small snug complete with leather seats that would easily be claimed as the home of the more romantic, albeit being between the two doors to the loos. On Saturday matchdays the place buzzes. They welcome away fans who can find it very easily by looking to the right as they leave the Station. Those who wish to mix with the locals might prefer the smaller public bar area to the right of the pub. Larger groups wanting a good meeting place would enjoy the space found in the lounge area. “Smart” comes to mind when you gather together first impressions. It already appeals to a wide range of well heeled South Londoners. I believe this pub will be very popular in its new guise.
BWV 22.2.06: Young’s Bitter, St. Georges, Special | | | CROYDON CAMRA | | 
SELHURST PARK
LOCAL BREWERY
PILGRIM BREWERY
West Street
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 9BL
Tel. 01737 222651
www.pilgrim.co.uk | | WETHERSPOONS
The Flora Sandes 2-4 Ambassador House Brigstock Road Thornton Heath CR7 7JG Opening Times: Mon-Sun 9am-midnight
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