White Hart

Charming Pub with Friendly Atmosphere

Nestled in the heart of Orpington, which isn't exactly first on anyone's bucket list, you'll find a pub that could easily be missed unless, of course, you're in the know. Despite its innocuous entrance, this local treasure, let's temporarily christen it the White Hart because why keep its charm a secret twice over, contains the gravitational pull of Jupiter when it comes to atmosphere. There’s an uncanny essence of familiarity here as though you’ve accidentally stumbled into a cozy episode of Cheers. Remarkably, even if your agenda foresakes sustenance and is orchestrated entirely around Heineken and Pravha, you'll not leave feeling short-changed — precise down to your last sip, which oddly feels reasonably priced.

The heartwarming irony lay not in its fusion of old-world charm and modern verve — well, sort of modern if you consider music at a decibel mere youngsters would appreciate, but in its kaleidoscope of services. Where else can one find pool tables so readily accessible they almost compel you to call out geometry class moves from sixth grade? The alchemy of good vibes seemingly defies comprehension: Kirsty's divine jerk chicken burger earns accolades worthy of poetry, while there’s apparently more sport-related life support to revel in than much of Sky's bloated package offerings. Indeed, somewhere between darts games akin to medieval duels and a security team that seems both efficient and laying claim to sainthood, loiters a whisper that once you've crossed this pub threshold, you'd best be prepped to defend its considerable merit. — Penelope Savory