FREEDOM PASS WETHERSPOONS 13

 

FREEDOM PASS WETHERSPOONS 13

    London’s newest Wetherspoons pub — Coombe Lodge — opened its doors in December 2025, bringing the familiar JDW experience to a rather remote corner of south London. 

    The address might be Croydon, but this is a proper country pub with a large beer garden, two conservatories and several smaller rooms - ideal for post-retirement reunions. Well, it would be ok for gatherings if everyone lived nearby. But it's a long way from the centre of the city. I have to admit I drove there for breakfast one Sunday morning. It is possible to get to Coombe Lodge using a Freedom Pass from my Wanstead home, but the quickest route on public transport takes almost two hours - by underground, rail, tram and bus.

   This part of Croydon retains much of its rural character - and many of its older houses, including Coombe Lodge. The Grade II listed building, originally part of the Coombe estate, was probably built in the mid-18th century. It has changed hands several times with notable owners including newspaper magnate Frank Lloyd. Since then it has been a convalescent home, a children's nursery and a Beefeater restaurant.
   I liked it. But, as I have no friends in the Croydon area, it's unlikely I'll visit Coombe Lodge again. But it's another tick on my Spoons app. And I tracked down a couple of statues (Nelson and Drake in New Cross) on the way home.

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