In the last year or so since I moved to Forest Hill (South East London not America) I’ve noticed subtle changes in the area as increasingly, young professionals are realising that an SE London postcode is one of the more affordable options. A farmers’ market selling local produce has sprung up in the car park of Forest Hill station. An overpriced cafe called Canvas and Cream (£12 for two coffees and cake!) opened on the high street. There’s a retro sweet shop on Dartmouth Road called Sugar Mountain that doubles up as a diner as well as various pop-up shops. And Fashion Weeks have been hitting Forest Hill high street, courtesy of see3.co.uk and a Mary Portas government grant. But my new and absolute favourite of all the additions to the neighbourhood is Forest Hill’s best pub the Sylvan Post, on Dartmouth Road.

Sylvan Post Forest Hill pub

You’d be forgiven for walking straight past Forest Hill’s best pub the Sylvan Post as to be honest it’s pretty easy to miss. But step inside this hidden gem of a London pub as it’s not in the least bit what you’d expect. A former post office, The Sylvan Post (see what they’ve done there?!) is quite quirky as it’s kept some of the original features such as the mailboxes.

An old safe converted into a cool little snug

And the old post office safes, which have been converted into really cool snug type areas, are ideal for a romantic drink or a catch up with friends away from the main bar area. I also love the stamps adorning the walls.

Stamps on the wall in forest Hill’s old post office, the Sylvan Post

The Sylvan Post is part of the Antic pub group which among others owns the East Dulwich Tavern (EDT) on Lordship Lane and the Dogstar in Brixton,which has been around for ages.

Sunday lunch isn’t half bad at the Sylvan post either

When it comes to beers the Sylvan Post has a great selection of local London brewers and regional beers including East London Brewing and the Horns microbrewery in Tooting. And the Sunday lunch here is a decent sized portion too. The one thing Forest Hill is still a bit lacking in is decent places to go for a night out. I’m hoping Forest Hill’s best pub the Sylvan Post has sent out a memo and it’s a sign for things to come.