The Royal Standard, Croydon CR0 (London). Pic: Royal Standard.
London’s Best Beer, Pubs and Bars updates
Southeast London: Croydon
Traditional pub (Fuller’s)
1 Sheldon Street, Croydon CR0 1SS
T 020 8688 9749 w www.royalstandard-croydon.co.uk
Open 1200-2400 (2300 Sun). Children welcome until early evening.
Cask beer 6 (Fuller’s, up to 2 guests) Cask Marque.
Food Good value pub grub lunches, sandwiches, Outdoor Small beer garden, Wifi.
Quiz, board games, darts, occasional comedy and live music.
In terms of beer choice, the Royal Standard might not be the best of Croydon’s handful of Fuller’s pubs – the Spreadeagle in the town centre has a bigger range of the brewery’s beers, and local guests too – but as an outstanding example of that vanishing breed, the proper community local, it’s a must.
On a quiet street only a sidestep from the main drag and under the shadow of the ugly 1960s Croydon Flyover, it occupies a solid white corner building with an imposing cornice but feels much more modest inside. The pub retains a three room layout, including a no nonsense public bar with a well used dartboard, and offers a warm and easygoing welcome.
Perfectly kept Chiswick, ESB, London Pride and HSB are regularly on sale alongside changing guests that might be Fuller’s seasonals – Wild River was on when I called – or third party brews from better known brewers like Arkells or Wychwood. Given the obvious cellar skills on show, it’s no surprise that the licensee holds a Fuller’s Master Cellarman accreditation and that the pub has been a fixture in the Good Beer Guide since the 1990s. A treasure.
National Rail Waddon, East Croydon, South Croydon Tram George Street Cycling LCN+ 23, links to 75, 222 Walking Link to Vanguard Way, Wandle Trail
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