Historic Croydon pub reopens with hidden garden and events

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 19:10 · Archive

The Dog in Surrey Street, a Grade II-listed pub dating to the 1400s, has reopened with a large hidden garden called The Wilderness.

The Dog in Surrey Street, a Grade II-listed pub in Croydon, has reopened following refurbishment and a change of ownership in 2025. The pub was previously known as The Dog and Bull and describes itself as dating back to the 1400s, on the site of a medieval inn.

Owner Sean Cook, who returned to Croydon after around 20 years away, said one of his favourite things is watching customers discover the pub's hidden garden, called The Wilderness. He noted that many people are initially sceptical about entering because of the traditional frontage. 'A lot of people are sceptical about walking in because it looks like a classic old man's boozer,' he said. 'Then they get out the back and don't expect it at all. It's quite a nice surprise.'

The Wilderness is heated and covered over in winter, with booths that have televisions and an outside bar. The pub hosts movie nights and football screenings, with Cook describing a 'massive spike' in custom during the World Cup after the venue installed a large outdoor screen.

How it is being reported

• The centuries-old Croydon boozer hiding a 'wilderness' out the backA pub believed to be Croydon’s oldest is mixing centuries of history with a huge hidden garden, burgers, football and live music.This Is Local London · 5 Nov, 18:00
• The centuries-old Croydon boozer hiding a 'wilderness' out the backA pub believed to be Croydon’s oldest is mixing centuries of history with a huge hidden garden, burgers, football and live music.Croydon Guardian · 5 Nov, 18:00

In this story: The Dog · Sean Cook · Croydon · Surrey Street

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