As you're leaving the station, East Croydon looks immensely urban, scattered with (very good) street food and (mixed bag of) high rises and skyscrapers. But just a few minutes' walk away you're in a different world: neighbourhoody, terraced and tree-lined, occasional splash of wisteria and blossom trees — and a solid local, in the shape of the Oval Tavern.
It's in a peaceful spot on a quiet street, and the inside has similarly cosy village pub vibes — low, wooden beamed ceilings, friendly staff, some very weird art choices on the walls, and dogs curled up under tables or cuddled up in laps everywhere. At time of writing, also a big Christmas tree, a crackling woodburning stove, and mulled cider on the menu.
It's very very cute, basically, without being at all twee: this is still a proper pub, with an emphasis on good ales (8ish taps, including some small batches), live music (an excellently bizarre mix of blues, jazz, and Trans-Siberian brass bands, among others), along with a lot of hearty stews, heavy carbs, and cheeseloading opportunities.
Revisiting in the summer, we found a smaller ale choice (good but mainstream brews such as Proper Job), but the opportunity to sit in the spacious beer garden, where hops are grown later in the season.
You wouldn't stumble across it by chance, but it's near enough the station to make it a not-just-for-locals spot, and lovely enough to make it worth the short journey from central.
The Oval Tavern, East Croydon. About fifteen minutes on direct (and frequent) trains from London Bridge and Victoria.
