The Holden (formerly The Charles Holden) is the kind of proper South London pub that does everything right without trying too hard. Right by Colliers Wood station, it's got a huge beer garden that's a lifesaver in summer, a solid Sunday roast that draws crowds, and live sport and music nights that keep the energy up. It's not fancy and it's not trying to be — it's just a really good local.
A huge beer garden, cracking Sunday roast, and live sport make The Holden the proper South London local Colliers Wood was waiting for.
Get there early on Sundays — the beer garden fills up fast and the roast is the main event.
The South London local that gets the basics right
The Holden is the pub Colliers Wood needed — a proper neighbourhood spot that nails the basics without pretending to be something it's not. The beer garden is the real star here; it's genuinely huge by South London standards and makes this place a go-to the moment the sun comes out. Inside, it's got that comfortable, lived-in pub feel with screens for the sport and a steady rotation of live music and DJs that keeps things interesting without turning it into a nightclub.
Food-wise, you're looking at solid pub grub done well — burgers, street food-style plates, and a Sunday roast that regularly gets praised in reviews. It's not gastropub-level cooking, but it's honest, generous, and pairs perfectly with a pint. A few reviewers have noted the prices lean a touch high for the area, which is worth knowing going in, but most seem to feel you get what you pay for.
It's the kind of place that works for almost any casual occasion — a lazy Sunday, a post-work pint, or settling in to watch the rugby with a crowd that actually knows what's going on. The 4.3-star rating across hundreds of reviews tells you it's doing something right. Just don't expect quiet — this is a pub that likes a bit of buzz.