Our social begins with a first visit for some time to the Chequers in Bromley Common. The pub can be reached using the high frequency 208 bus route (Catford to Orpington) or the less frequent and direct 336 (Catford to Locksbottom). Both routes pass Bromley South station. Alight at The Fairway (208) or Southborough library (336). The Fairway is somewhat closer. There are usually up to three cask ales from the Greene King stable available. At the time of writing there is a 10% discount for CAMRA members on purchases of cask ale. We continue (using the 208 bus) to One in the Wood (arrival 8.30pm appx) which was Bromley’s first micropub having opened in 2014 on a site previously occupied by a wine bar. It has won an array of CAMRA awards, including Greater London CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2015. The pub is close to Petts Wood railway [.....]
We have visited the SIBA festival held at this venue before in summer. This time we are visiting the club’s own beer festival which is more focused on winter ales. It’s a much smaller affair than the summer festival with around 20 cask ales, so we may find time to visit other Tonbridge pubs, possibly including the Nelson Arms which is the current Kent regional pub of the year and was chosen as one of the four finalists in CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year competition in 2023. We will be meeting at 10.50 at Orpington Station, and will be taking the train at 11.10. A walk of about ten minutes from Tonbridge station is needed to reach the festival venue. The festival opens at noon. More information in the link below to the festival page on the club’s own website. https://www.tjrfc.co.uk/news/tjs-beer-festival-looms-large-2894771.html
This social offers a chance to visit three varied venues in Penge, all of which serve cask ale. The longest visit will be to the Southey Brewery Tap, which now opens every day of the week. All of the venues are within walking distance of each other. The social starts at the Goldsmiths Arms which can be reached using bus routes 75, 176, 227, 356 or 358 – alight at Penge/Pawleyne Arms. Alternatively, Beckenham Road tramlink stop is about 15 minutes walk away, whilst Penge East and Kent House railway stations are a similar distance. The social continues to the nearby Southey Brewery Tap (arrive 20:00) before finishing at the Moon and Stars (21:30)
This social offers a chance to visit two of Bromley’s best known real ale venues. The Shortlands Tavern has twice been runner-up in the Bromley CAMRA Pub of the Year competition in the last few years. The pub – which offers a diverse and changing range of up to six real ales – is located next to Shortlands railway station and is also passed by the 227 and 358 routes from Bromley to Crystal Palace. Alight at Meadow Road. The social begins here at 7.30pm. An uphill walk (about 15 minutes) or a short bus ride is then needed to reach the Star and Garter, multiple winner of the Bromley CAMRA Pub of the Year competition. This pub – reopened in November 2016 having been closed for more than two years – is close to the Market Square in the centre of Bromley, which is a few minutes walk [.....]
This committee meeting will be held in the upstairs room at the Lord Holmesdale which is situated opposite the main Bromley Tesco in Homesdale Road. This is a pub which is trying to increase its real ale offering, so hopefully we can provide some encouragement in the form of cask ale sales. To reach the pub, there is a 15 minute walk from Bickley station or to avoid that, use bus route 336 (Catford to Locksbottom via Central Bromley), and alight at the nearby Lord Homesdale bus stop (yes I know that the bus stop spelling doesn’t match the pub name – take it up with TfL, not me! – TW). Bromley CAMRA members who are not on the committee are always welcome to attend committee meetings. Non-committee members planning to attend a meeting may request the Secretary (secretary@bromley.camra.org.uk) to prepare and print a pack of relevant committee papers [.....]
A social at two well-regarded micropubs in our branch area. 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. It is the current runner-up in the Greater London CAMRA Pub of the Year competition. From Central Bromley, use buses 162 (Beckenham Junction to Eltham), 269 (Bromley North to Bexleyheath) or the Superloop SL3 service from Bromley North All of these routes can be caught in Central Bromley and also pass Bickley and Chislehurst stations. From other parts of the borough routes 61, 160, 161 or 273 can be used. In all cases alight at Chislehurst War Memorial. The social starts at 7pm. From there, a short bus ride is needed to One Inn The Wood. This was Bromley’s first [.....]
Venue : Orpington Liberal Club, 7 Station Road, Orpington BR6 0RZ. . All members of the Bromley CAMRA branch are encouraged to attend the branch Annual General Meeting, during which we will review what has happened over the last year, and then set about electing the Branch Committee to take us through the 2024-2025 Committee year. . The club is a few minutes walk from Orpington station, directly opposite the entrance to the Tesco Extra car park. Several bus routes pass close by, including the 208 and 358. Don’t forget your CAMRA membership card as it is required for entry. . Further information about the AGM will be added here nearer the time. . The club accepts CARD PAYMENTS only.