Shepherd Neame pub.
This oak-beamed historic 17th C pub on the main A21 was originally built before Locksbottom existed. Attracting a mixed clientele, the main draw is the extensive timetable of live music and events as well as several TV screens showing football and other sports.
Completely refurbished inside with a contemporary white décor making it light and bright with wooden flooring throughout and plenty of assorted seating as well as a fireplace with a log fire in winter. There is a long bar facing the main entrance plus a smaller back bar serving a snug. Another room on the far side of the bar is used for darts. The dining area leads off from the main bar, complete with comfy chairs.
The large rear walled patio garden has assorted benches and seating under the trees and is popular in summer. Note the cat ornament on the roof tiles.
The pub hosts a variety of events, including a jazz night on the last Sunday of each month plus a Jam night on the last Monday. For up-to-date information about forthcoming events, please see the pub's Facebook site (linked above), or the blackboard to the right of the bar.
The pub is also convenient for the nearby Princess Royal University Hospital as well as Sainsbury's at the rear. Children under 14 are not allowed.
Instagram page is @yeoldewhytelyon
Historic Interest
Dating from 1626, this was originally called the "White Lion" and served as a coaching inn on the London to Hastings and Rye coach road. Its location at the junction of roads from Croydon and Orpington on Farnborough Common led to its importance as a stop for travellers. Once overlooking the village pond, the latter was overlaid by road widening on what is now the A21. In the 19th C, the pub also served as a magistrates court, where Charles Darwin was magistrate from 1857 until his death in 1882. This later became a tied house for the Nalder & Collyer brewery from Croydon with the name changed to "Whyte Lion" by the 1900s. Locksbottom (originally "Lock's Bottom") takes its name from the local landowner, who lived in a nearby farm in the 18th C. Its growth as a suburb occurred in the 1920s.
This Pub serves no changing beers and 3 regular beers.
Whyte Lyon (Ye Olde), Locksbottom
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