The Station Hotel's Twelve Days of Christmas Blog. My six favourite places in Hither Green

When I started doing this Twitter thing eight months ago, I never thought I'd end up here. A couple of months ago I started noticing tweets about the opening of The Station Hotel, Not in SE4 but it looked nice so I thought I would pay it a visit.

Six weeks ago I went to the opening day to take a few pictures and have been going back to Hither Green quite often ever since.
Youngs Pubs and The Station have kind of fallen in love with what I do, and often retweet stuff and use my photos which I share with everyone.
 When they asked me to write about my top six places to visit for the twelve days of Christmas I of course said yes so here goes.
Number 1. has to be The Station Hotel. Built by the Dedman family who used to run both tigers heads in Lee Green. and opened around 1907. It is now Hither Greens only remaining pub. Theres a few bars and clubs which I will come to later but sadly this is the only one left now.

 What do I love about this place? Its the little things that make all the difference, those quirky little things you may not spot until you start to look around. as soon as you walk through the door there are crayons and paper for the kids with a little sign for instance, a lovely touch that welcomes you in. Youngs Pubs have done such a great job refurbishing this already busy pub but now with its new bright look welcoming more and more in. It has become an even better place to visit. The food is amazing as you can probably tell from the picture.

One of my burger shots was used by Youngs Pubs for an advert. I love seeing photos I've taken being used by others. It brings a smile to my face and makes me feel so proud. Every time I go back there is something else to see.

With Christmas well and truly here they are selling Christmas trees in the back garden and welcomed in the whole community last weekend at the brilliant F.U.S.S. Christmas Fair. An amazing day that will long live in peoples memories for a very long time
     




Fantastic staff who make sure you have everything you need. I love this place so much the atmosphere the food and especially the beer. Even one of the bar staff looks like the Grinch, very Christmasy. Fantastic pub the whole community can be proud of.

Number 2 on the list is The Good Hope Cafe.

It's been 11 years since Jimmy Mizen was killed, but out of those tragic events came so much good.  he 's forever in our minds and will never be forgotten. I have a lot of time for the Mizen family and we go way back. The charity For Jimmy was created and they run two successful cafes both here in Hither Green and Ladywell. They set up the safe havens scheme which helps protect venerable kids who find themselves in trouble, and hold conferences to combat knife crime as well as many tv appearances highlighting what happened to Jimmy.  Again photography brought us together I took a few snaps of the old cafe in Ladywell now home to the brilliant Rushey Time Bank. I was asked to attend a kids conference and then invited to the On Blackheath Festival where they were the designated charity in 2017. Since then I have taken many photos for the cafe in Ladywell but it wasn't until yesterday I got to go into the one in Hither Green. Amazing food again with Steak nights now proving to be so popular. Bill and the whole team do such a fantastic job running both cafes and I can highly recommend you try them both. Although the one in Hither Green doesn't have Doggy ice cream. Sorry Aussie you'll have to go to Ladywell if you want some of that. Ice cream for dogs! Who knew.

Number three is Drink
 at Bob's

The new kid on the block but proving so popular already. I first found out about this place when local band The Bleeding Liberties invited me along to take a few shots, on my camera not tequila, one Sunday night. A cosy little bar next to The Good Hope Cafe, kind of handy for me yesterday as I didn't have far to go. Not open long, it has become a regular haunt for many people around the area, and now the kitchen is open expect to see a few more. A great place to chill out with a Great selection of drinks to choose from as well as tasty bar snacks and nibbles. mad not to try it really.

Next up on the list and number 4 is the Hither Green Railway and Social Club

I first found out about this place when I was asked to Dj at my mate Andy's 50th Birthday. Doesn't look much from the outside but when you enter its a whole different story. A great place to have a party the massive function room at the back has its own bar that being a club has really cheap drinks. there's a huge garden as well. Sadly closed last night when I went to visit as the boiler had packed up. But I'm reliably informed that has been sorted, so expect some brilliant nights there over the Christmas period.                                                                                            Number five on the list and new to Hither Green is the brilliant Brockley Brewery.

So popular in Brockley the tap room there is open every weekend, and has a huge following. Offering take outs and brilliant nights, the whole community love so much.

They opened their new site a few weeks ago and this too is proving to be a great place to go at the weekend. As you can see from the picture below.

 if you haven't been there yet, it's well worth a visit. 

And finally number six. My favourite place of all is Hither Green its self.
 Every time I visit I am welcomed with open arms. everyone is so friendly and I look forward to coming back there. You have amazing shops and businesses that all deserve to be on the list. I have met so many great people and I really look forward to meeting a few more. So that's me done. Have a Wonderfull Christmas and a brilliant new year. If you want to follow me on Twitter its @Love_SE4 See you soon everyone. And Thank you Station Hotel for letting me write about your lovely neighbourhood. ❤️👍 Have a wonderful Christmas. I look forward to visiting more great places in Hither Green in the new year.