Ramblers Rest, darts in Chislehurst

Photo: The Ramblers Rest

Ramblers Rest: Darts in Chislehurst, London

FreeWalk-inLeague pubReal aleGardenDog friendly

Mill Place, Chislehurst · BR7 5ND · Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:30; Su 12:00-22:30

The Ramblers Rest is a weatherboard country pub on the edge of Chislehurst common, and if you want a proper pub dartboard rather than a booked-out bar, this is your sort of place. It has been pouring ales since the late 17th century, and it still runs as a two-bar local: a roomier lower bar and an upper bar where the regulars settle in. The single most useful thing to know is that it fields a team in the West Wickham Phoenix Darts League, so there is a working board and a Monday-night darts crowd who know what they are doing. You just walk in, no booking and no charge to throw. Expect cask ale (Fuller's London Pride and Timothy Taylor Landlord), a heated garden, and a dog-friendly welcome.

The darts scene here

The Ramblers Rest is a registered team venue in the West Wickham Phoenix Darts League, playing in its First Division. That league has been going since 1946 (it was the West Wickham & District league until a 2021 rename) and matches run on Monday nights across the area, so Monday is darts night here. This is pub-league darts, not a managed booking venue, so it is a single house board used for league fixtures and casual throwing the rest of the week. If you turn up on a match night, expect the board to be in use by the team, so it is worth a quick word with the bar first.

Good to know

There is nothing to book and nothing to pay to use the board, which is the appeal: this is a free pub board, not a timed session. The pub keeps two regular cask ales on, Fuller's London Pride and Timothy Taylor Landlord, and CAMRA members get 20p off a pint of real ale. Food runs through the day, with a Thai night on Wednesdays. The heated garden and the grass slope outside fill up in summer, and the place is dog-friendly throughout. Hours are roughly noon to 11pm midweek, a little later on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10:30pm on Sunday.

Getting there

The pub sits in Mill Place on the edge of Chislehurst common, just beyond the cricket green, in the BR7 5ND postcode. It is in the Bromley borough, towards the south-east edge of Greater London, so it feels more village than city. Chislehurst station is the closest mainline stop, with services into London. There is parking around the common nearby, and the walk down to the pub takes you past the green, which is part of why it is busy with walkers and dog-owners on a fine day.

Get directions

Common questions

What is the Ramblers Rest?
It is a historic weatherboard country pub on the edge of Chislehurst common in Mill Place, BR7 5ND, serving traditional ales since the late 17th century. It has two bars, a heated garden, and fields a team in the West Wickham Phoenix Darts League.
Is darts free to play at the Ramblers Rest?
Yes. This is a free pub dartboard, not a paid or timed booking. You just walk in and throw, though on a Monday the board may be in use for league matches.
Do you need to book to play darts?
No. There is no booking system for darts here. It is a single house board in a pub, so you simply turn up. It is worth checking with the bar on Monday nights, when the league team plays.
What darts league does the Ramblers Rest play in?
It is a First Division team venue in the West Wickham Phoenix Darts League, which has run since 1946. League matches in the area are played on Monday nights.
What are the Ramblers Rest opening hours?
Roughly noon to 11pm Monday to Thursday, noon to 11:30pm Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10:30pm on Sunday. Food is served through the day, with a Thai menu on Wednesdays.
Where is the Ramblers Rest and how do I get there?
It is in Mill Place, Chislehurst, BR7 5ND, on the edge of the common beyond the cricket green. The nearest mainline station is Chislehurst, with trains into London.

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