Crown and Greyhound (Dog)

[rendelharris]

There were indeed, the Crown one side of the street and the Greyhound the other. In 1900 or thereabouts they were both knocked down and the current Dog was put up. Don't know which site was used though, enlighten us EDH if you would!

[edhistory]

Somewhere I have an original pre-1914 manuscript which explains this. I'll try to find it and scan it on Sunday.

------------

RendelHarris:

That software you used to map that Peck watershed was very helpful. Thank you again.

[rendelharris]

Glad it was of use, my pleasure!

[EDOldie]

The Crown was on the site of the current pub and the Greyhound was a large coaching inn roughly between Aysgarth Road and Burbage Road. There are some old photos of both which you can probably find online. It is said that Dickens used to drink in the Greyhound which is why Mr Pickwick retired to Dulwich.

[rendelharris]

That's great, I remember Mr.Pickwick retiring to Dulwich but didn't know Dickens used to drink here!

I think it's probably the other way round though, with the Greyhound site being the C&G site today (a recent issue of Southwark News said it was), this is the old Greyhound:

http://i.imgur.com/PaiXzsv.jpg

Not only does it seem to have retained the portico pretty much intact, but the arches on the "Ices" shop to the side seem to correspond exactly with the arches on the modern day Rocca:

http://i.imgur.com/TBcL4Jb.jpg

(ETA though Wiki says it's built on the Crown site so there appears to be plenty of confusion.

[EDOldie]

Just checked to OS map of 1870 and I was correct. The Crown was on the same site as the current pub. The arches are an architectural feature on the Dulwich Estate often attributed to George Tappen who was the Estate Architect. If you look you'll see quite a few examples around Dulwich and in the Village in particular. I would get out more but I'm waiting for them to deliver the latest Dulwich Society magazine.

[rendelharris]

Properly confused now, as found another site which says the C&G was built on the site of the Crown, but the same site has this picture of the Crown:

http://i.imgur.com/w6woO1C.jpg

Surely not enough room for the current 1905 building?

[rendelharris]

Crossposted, your evidence seems conclusive but there still seem to be anomalies...odd.

[EDOldie]

I have seen that image before but that is the pub that was there before this one. In the background to the right you'll see the distinctive mansard roof of the old diary which is now Roca. The pub was almost certainly another coaching inn along with the Greyhound so would have had large grounds, stables etc. On the OS map it looks like the gardens went right back to Court Lane. At that time of course all the land was held on lease from the Dulwich Estate and they may well have much more detailed plans of how the Village was laid out in those days.

[rendelharris]

Cheers I see. Been looking more into it - apparently the Crown was knocked down and rebuilt, then the landlord of the Greyhound moved to the Crown before it (Greyhound) was knocked down and took the name with him to keep his clientele. Bet the new building was up in less time than the refurb took!

[skylorikeet]

There was a book about local pubs published last year which will have the story of how the Crown and the Greyhound became the Dog.

http://www.hernehillsociety.org.uk/hhs_pdfs/pubs-book-press-release.pdf

[Mick Mac]

EDOldie Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I have seen that image before but that is the pub

> that was there before this one. In the background

> to the right you'll see the distinctive mansard

> roof of the old diary which is now Roca. The pub

> was almost certainly another coaching inn along

> with the Greyhound so would have had large

> grounds, stables etc. On the OS map it looks like

> the gardens went right back to Court Lane. At that

> time of course all the land was held on lease from

> the Dulwich Estate and they may well have much

> more detailed plans of how the Village was laid

> out in those days.

What a great pic!

[Mick Mac]

Any, more positive feedback on the Dog. Looked super busy today as I cycled past, seems to be thriving.

[malumbu]

Just go in an check the place out yourself!

I'll probably give it a body swerve as there are places more suitable to my tastes. I'm struggling to remember many refurbs that improved a pub from my perspective but others tend to disagree. Nobody has assessed it on Beer in the Evening which is always a bad sign.

Compare http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/53/536/Crown_and_Greyhound/Dulwich with http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/comments.shtml/2991/

[snowy]

Coincidentally popped in for a pint yesterday afternoon (limited beer choices). It was relatively busy, but fewer people eating than I was anticipating. Not going to be racing back, but it's good to know its there and not permanently lost to residential/retail.

[DovertheRoad]

Mick Mac Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Any, more positive feedback on the Dog. Looked

> super busy today as I cycled past, seems to be

> thriving.

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

[Mick Mac]

malumbu Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Just go in an check the place out yourself!

>

> I'll probably give it a body swerve as there are

> places more suitable to my tastes.

If it was on my doorstep I would have no doubt tried it by now, i'm no stranger to a pub. But I like to know that if a pub is quiet, or crap, I can move to another nearby, which with this one you can't.

I just hoped it had improved from its teething problems on re-opening - out of general interest.

But having now checked tripadvisor - its seems to be awful.....still - what a shame

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d2397787-Reviews-The_Crown_and_Greyhound-London_England.html

[Sue]

Crikey those reviews are bad.

The manager keeps responding that things will improve, but these are ongoing issues, aren't they?

Do they not carry out any staff training at all?

[Wimpole]

To run at 2.5 stars average on Trip Advisor is actually quite hard. You have to be proper crap to maintain that.

[rendelharris]

Interesting that one one star reviewer wrote:

"Last Friday ordered fish cakes which were revolting and the staff beyond incompetent. On Thursday had burger and a steak which was good and the lady at the bar who had started that day was excellent."

And the manager replied:

"It is great to here [sic] that the bar service you had was excellent. Its always good to know that the efforts of our team are being appreciated. Our staff are expected to ensure your visit is the best possible, and so your praises will be relayed to the whole team. I am also pleased that the food was to your liking, although I am sorry that other aspects of your visit were not."

It's not only crocodiles that live in denial...

[NewWave]

Just read the reviews...Sad that they obviously haven't taken any of the earlier critcism on board.

The menu is dated (like something from a Harvister circa 1977) uninspiring and overpriced-we have never been tempted to eat there because of it and judging by those reviews I feel we had a lucky escape.

the staff are still hopeless, the selection of drinks on offer are disappointing and also overpriced.

What a waste of a lovely venue.

[Sue]

This is from the home page of their website:

The Crown & Greyhound is an iconic South London pub, ahead of the game in providing the perfect setting for a unique and memorable drinking and dining experience.

Whether it?s a relaxed lunch, a sumptuous Sunday roast, an indulgent dinner or lazy brunch, we offer an enticing and flavoursome menu, focusing on provenance, local suppliers and the freshest of British seasonal ingredients.

Our diverse and explorative drinks range includes well-kept cask ales, craft beers, premium lagers and ciders, a seriously seductive wine list and an exceptional selection of artisan spirits ? all served in our laid-back yet vibrant pub atmosphere, complete with authentic interior, outdoor barbecue area and delightful urban beer garden.

Our dedicated team are committed to first class service and look forward to welcoming you and helping you unwind?

Pity they don't put as much care and inventiveness into their actual food and service :))

[cactus]

The manager's comments on Trip Advisor are hilarious, a bit Teresa Mayish.

Whatever people say, he just gives them the same stock response and never addresses the specific issue!

[JohnL]

Serving in order at the bar - gawd this annoys people.

I waved my hands above my head at another pub once shouting "me, me, me" .. they took it all in jest :)

[NewWave]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> This is from the home page of their website:

>

> The Crown & Greyhound is an iconic South London

> pub, ahead of the game in providing the perfect

> setting for a unique and memorable drinking and

> dining experience.

>

After reading the reviews its unique and memorable for all the wrong reasons.