Part of the Young's family, this is a traditional, no frills local boozer, with real ale, friendly staff, nice pub grub and a lovely beer garden. Easily the best pub in central Croydon (not that that is saying a lot, but it is nice).
There's been a pub here since at least 1595, when it was called the Bell: it's something of a surprise that the history of Croydon goes back that far, but it does. The animal pound at the back eventually gave rise to a meat trade - the street used to be known as Butcher's Row and the cattle and carcases were kept in the Dog and Bull yard.
The current building dates back to the 18th Century and is grade II listed, with a plain but handsome red and blue brick exterior and traditional pub frontage, with lead-light glass windows. Surrey Street hosts a good, old-fashioned street market with good-value fruit and veg, and lots of local 'colour'.
The interior is plain but handsome, with no hint of pretension: bare wood floors and wooden furniture, and a plain wooden bar counter. It's as far from 'designer' styling as you can get. The main room as you enter has an island bar servery, and there's a room off to the side and a smaller one at the back (with a TV, but it's not intrusive). A big bonus (and a big surprise) is the large, leafy garden at the back - perfect in summer.
They serve the full range of Young's Beers - on my visit this included Young's Ordinary, Special and Winter Warmer. The pub is a favourite of the local Campaign for Real Ale branch, and deservedly so as the beers are well kept. They serve food for most of the day (Mon-Sat) and on Sunday lunchtimes, and have filled rolls available behind the bar the rest of the time. The emphasis is firmly on traditional pub favourites with no frills - sausages and mash, fish and chips, cauliflower cheese - and is both good value and pretty good.
Staff are friendly and efficient, and it attracts a real mix of clientele. Overall, a great place for a good pint.
It's a minute from either the George Street or Church Street tram stops, or 5-10 minutes' walk from East Croydon station. read more