Claiming origins in the 17th century, this Shepherd Neame pub seems geographically and stylistically at odds with the post-war mess that is Waterloo: it’s as if a village pub (with a beer garden, no less) had been plonked here and pointed towards some higher being. Hanging flower baskets add colour to the grey surroundings; it might be nice to have a beer outside, but the view, in truth, is pretty grim.
Inside, the Rose & Crown is all dark wood, decorated with snaps of the regulars and black-and-white photographs of bygone local scenes. Standard Shepherd Neame beers, from likeable seasonals and reliable Spitfire to the ever-bland Master Brew, complement lagery stablemates Oranjeboom and Holsten Export. You won’t find any surprises on the food menu.