Bromley CAMRA’s 2026 Pub of the Year competition has again been won by one of our newest pubs – The Cockpit. The Cockpit is Chislehurst’s first micropub, and opened its doors for the first time in late December 2020. A range of at at least 5 non-mainstream real ales are normally available, served from a cold room at the rear of the pub. The presentation of the winner’s award will be made during the evening, so a good turn out of our members would be welcome. From Central Bromley, use buses 162 (Beckenham Junction to Eltham), 269 (Bromley North to Bexleyheath) or the new Superloop SL3 service (Bromley North to Thamesmead). All these routes can be caught in Central Bromley and also pass near Bickley and Chislehurst stations. From other parts of the borough routes 61, 160, 161 or 273 can be used. In all cases alight at [.....]
A chance to visit a selection of Beckenham’s pubs, beginning at the The Jolly Woodman, 90 Bromley Road BR3 5NP. To get there, Beckenham Junction railway station is 15 minutes walk away, so the bus may be a better bet. From Central Bromley use the high-frequency 227 or the 367 and alight at Westgate Road, or the 162 and alight at Chancery Lane. After that, the itinerary is as follows. 8.10 pm Chancery 9 Chancery Lane BR3 6NR 9.00 pm Br3wery 150-154 High Street BR3 1EA (the brewery is nearby but cask beer is not normally available). 9.50 pm Bricklayers Arms, 215 High Street BR3 1AH.
An out of area social to the East of Essex, where a cluster of excellent cask ale venues await us on the 16 mile picturesque rural branch line from Wickford to Southminster. Our plan is to meet at Stratford station at 10.00am in order to catch the 10.20 train (which will be heading to Southend Victoria). Depending on where you live, some of us will find it easier to get to Liverpool Street where the same train leaves at 10.13. For most people, the cheapest ticket will be a super off-peak day return to Southminster, and for those with a 60+ card or a freedom pass it will be cheaper to buy the return from Romford. We will leave this train at Wickford to join our first train on the Crouch Valley line to the first stop at Battlesbridge. Our first venue of the day will be [.....]
A chance to visit a variety of venues in up-and-coming Penge. We begin at Craft Metropolis at 7.30pm. This is a relatively new venue which has expanded from what was originally a mail-order operation. Cask ale is available from a single handpump (but there is a large range of keg beers). The pub is a short walk from both of the Penge stations, whilst bus users should use routes 176, 197 or 227 and alight at High Street/Penge West station. The remainder of the itinerary is as follows: 8.30pm Southey Brewing 21 Southey Street SE20 7JD 9.30pm Pawleyne Arms, 156 High Street, Penge SE20 7EU 10.15pm The Goldsmiths Arms 3 Croydon Rd SE20 7TJ
