Dining pub
Now run by Fest & Revel since this reopened in June 2022, this is now a smart refurbished corner pub with friendly and welcoming service. Open plan interior with wooden flooring and various seating areas with a mix of high and low tables that lead off from the single long narrow bar with modern wooden surround. Tastefully decorated in dark grey green with cream walls separated by a dado rail and cream coloured ceiling, complemented by mirrors and quirky pictures. The front of the pub has one corner with double aspect windows letting in plenty of light, whilst the other corner has sofas and original fireplace. There is another original fireplace at the far end of the bar, which leads into the large rear area given over to dining. Light and bright, this has painted brickwork on the back wall. A small partially enclosed paved patio garden leads out from this with plenty of tables. Dogs are welcome with a wall of fame of photos of customers' dogs !
Single cask ale now re-introduced but emphasis is on the keg beer range, which includes Brixton and Gipsy Hill microbreweries.
Instagram page is @theoakbr1
Historic Interest
Dating from the 1850s, this originally served the rural village of Widmore with its green at the road junction, where the old lane from Plaistow met the road between Bromley and Chislehurst. The pool which existed adjacent to the pub, which gave Widmore its name (Withmere or Widmere), was later built upon. Housing development started in the late 1850s with several large properties, before further development commenced in 1888 and eventually absorbed the village into the Bickley area. The pub would have been frequented by workers from the nearby huge gravel pit which served the growing construction industry (now Widmore Recreation Ground). The pub was later owned by Whitbread. The former village green still survives, despite being smaller, as Widmore Green.
This Pub serves no changing beers and 1 regular beer.
Oak, Bromley