Punch Tavern

Maybe 2pm on a rainy Monday afternoon isn’t the best time to review a pub but I was in the area, between meetings and in need of lunch and a reasonably quiet space to do some reading.

I was also keen to visit as various people had mentioned that it was a great venue and the web site pictures certainly make it look very attractive – Victorian fittings, stylish bar, classic pub mirrors, traditional fireplace, wooden floors, ceiling sky lights, Punch and Judy decorations etc. But in the cold light of day it all looked rather tired. So I was a bit disappointed.

However, on the plus side – when the staff appeared they were friendly, efficient and attentive. There’s an Antipodean influence there – which is great but kind of jars with the very Englishness of the whole place.

I had a Capricorn goat’s cheese salad with a honey mustard dressing (£6.50). It was a generous portion. The croutons were large, warm and crispy. The goat’s cheese was firm but creamy and supported by French beans, various leaves, broad beans and tomatoes. It was certainly fresh and the dressing was very light. I felt I had eaten very healthily.

Other items on the menu included sandwiches (£5.50), soup, pate, potted prawns and devilled chicken livers (all at £4.50 each) and mains at £8.50 including burgers, beer battered haddock, salmon and crab cakes, oysters, ploughman’s, honey roast ham (they roast their own hams), chicken breast and sausages and mash.

There is a small separate area to the rear with several tables and what looks like a carvery (cost £8.50) – but it wasn’t operational during my visit.

There was lots of space and I got my peace and quiet (even though there was some mellow music playing in the background). There were a few other people in there – mostly informal business people chatting at impromptu meetings (well it certainly beats Starbucks for this purpose) but there was also a canoodling couple (presumably away from prying eyes?) and even a few women with some children in tow. Perhaps they were entertained by the attractive fish tank in the main bar area?

I have heard though that in the evenings it is really busy and fun. And a couple of my corporate clients have considered hosting events there. Tourists would be intrigued by the history and those with a media interest will be excited by its past association with Punch magazine journalists.