Brixton: lost pubs: WICKWOOD TAVERN
58 Flaxman Road by Eastlake Road, London SE5


Wickwood Tavern, [March 2006]

This fine looking pub was - as the intricate detail on the parapet proudly proclaims - built in 1868.

Sadly, the estate agents' signs below reveal that its beer serving days are over, with this lovely pub closing for good in August 2000.


Parapet, Wickwood Tavern, [March 2006]

urban75 posters remember the pub:

aurora green: "I've lived a stones' throw from that (ex)pub for a great many years now, and have supped many a pint there. It was simply a good old fashioned, no-frills pub."

johnx: That pub was ....
my local for over 20 years. Yes it was a bit quiet, but where else could you get a drink until 2.00am. in the morning and the landlord would lend you the money to buy drink to save you going back home for it.
I loved that place. It is sorely missed!
(they filmed an hour-long special for The Bill there once!)

cllr: "I went there about a dozen times when I lived nearby. This must have been about ten years ago. I recall they had a very drinkable pint of ordinary. But I also recall they were pretty empty. Very decent landlord, too."

Mrs Magpie: "I was a regular from about 1982 till it closed...Youngs pub...proper open fire, books, decent beer."



WICKWOOD MEMORIES


Wickwood Tavern, [Dec 1974]

Ramjam writes: Here's an old photo of The Wickwood Tavern in Flaxman road taken in dec 1974 from gordon grove. The 'Wickwood' as we called it is now closed.

It had on the left (by the red car) a saloon bar entrance in flaxman road and on the right a public bar entrance in eastlake road s.e.5. A few of the regulars were: Ted & Marian, Irish Pat (ricia) Rroy (barman), Frankie Duff an ex-boxer and local character. In the saloon bar there were small round black victorian cast iron tables.

The public bar had red velvet flock wallpaper with a dartboard. At that time there was no music or machines. People played darts or cards for money. Cribbage and 9 card brag were the favorite card games.

The beer was delivered by horse and cart from Youngs brewery. The xxx Youngs bitter was very potent. It had even won medals. The pub was very family orientated. All generations used it and mixed very well.

In the 10 years I was a customer there I never encounted a fight. You just felt at ease drinking there. A lovely old fashioned family pub. On a saturday night you had to arrive before 8.30 to get a seat. It was packed.

What happened to the pub from 1975 untill closed I don't know. Maybe others have some memories?

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