Summary: A perfect destination pub for all the family, with many thoughtful touches that mark it a cut above the rest.
(4/5 stars)
Nestled into a corner just a moment’s saunter from Chislehurst BR station, the Bickley Pub & Garden is a jewel of a venue.
Although you enter directly into the main bar, it is soon apparent that there is much more to be seen. The pub is organised into a number of different sections, ideal for creating a sense of intimacy in what is rather a large property.
Each area has a distinct ambiance, so that you can feel equally at ease having a drink in the bar, relaxing in a corner for a girlie catch-up over a drink, a family meal in the restaurant section or enjoying some group al fresco time with children in the gardens.
We visited for a family meal with the Junior Reviewers in tow (age 2 and 4), so we decided to sit in the mezzanine section of the restaurant for ease and table service. You can, however, choose to eat wherever you’d like in the property.
The décor throughout is attractive, so it’s no surprise to find out that manager John refurbished The Bickley last year. It’s sophisticated but warm; occupying a design spot somewhere between contemporary country hotel chic and Parisien salon.
Menu options were plentiful enough to find an option for most palettes. Mr MN Bromley is very particular about his food, but found so many appealing choices he almost struggled to choose! There’s a wide variety of gastropub type favourites as well as a few surprises like the warm black pudding salad and the Chennai style sweet potato, cauliflower and spinach curry.
We went with a spicy beef salad and a prawn cocktail for starters. The lime and coriander dressing lifted the beef - which was succulent and generously proportioned – into a tangy piquancy. We felt that although designated a small starter it was big enough to satisfy smaller appetites as a main meal. The prawn cocktail was also a hit – generous on the prawns and crispy salad. The marie-rose dressing was kept light, giving the cocktail a fresh, light finish.
Roast beef and roast pork followed. Both dishes were attractively presented, as well as featuring the largest Yorkshire puddings we’ve ever seen. The beef was tender yet tasty, and both mains were accompanied by tenderstem broccoli and chantenay carrots - more examples of a decision to rise above average fare.
Dessert was a wonderfully old school apple and plum crumble. Filled with chunky fruit and a generous, crunchy crumble topping, and accompanied by thick warm custard, this was comfort food at its best. Mr MN Bromley declared the bread and butter pudding a winner (he is an expert on this topic).
As you’d expect, alcoholic options are plentiful. The grown ups washed down their food with a creamy and wholesome Mad Goose ale (ale options are changed regularly), and a delightfully easy-drinking Portuguese Casa Mendel with a soft sherbet tang.
The children’s menu was straight to the point, with the addition of a soup starter for older kids or those with more expansive eating habits! Although made up of favourites like sausages, pizza, fish fingers and pasta (not all on the same plate, you understand), we were impressed by the quality of the dishes, which seemed to have received as much care as the adult offerings. To finish, warm waffle with maple syrup and vanilla ice cream, and ice cream in wafer baskets went down a treat. Both were tasty enough that the adults ‘helped out’ a little.
And so to the garden! Bordered by large leafy trees, this is a treasure. There are tables galore, and plenty of space so you won’t feel hemmed in, even on a busy day. The oversized pergola with hanging light fittings is a nice touch, and we’d imagine that on a summer’s evening sitting in the garden would be like having dinner on holiday in a European town square.
There’s a sectioned off play area with a wooden climbing frame for children above the ages of 6, a deft touch that shows the management is committed to making the pub a family-friendly destination. We think it’s worth them considering play space for younger children too. Certainly the Junior Reviewers were keen to get stuck into the frame and the den areas beneath it.
We enjoyed The Bickley so much we’re already planning a grown-up evening visit without the little ones. If you do decide to visit, we’d recommend you book ahead for weekends and Bank Holidays. Already busy, this place is only going to get more popular, particularly into summer as the garden comes into its own.
Mumsnet Local Bromley was invited to visit the Bickley by Redcombe Pubs. Opinions provided are our own. We visited mid-afternoon on a Bank Holiday.
Melanie Huntley, Editor, Mumsnet Bromley & Mumsnet Lewisham