Drink 4/5, Décor 5/5, Price 2/5, Atmosphere 3/5, Staff 3/5

HAVE you ever seen that Holidays from Hell show? It’s a bit of cheap TV where two families go on holiday together. Predictably, there are disastrous consequences with arguments edited for our viewing pleasure.

I’m convinced a similar fate awaits a group of men who were sitting making lists for a camping trip.

From the overheard conversation it appears their wives are going off to a spa while they are taking their children away.

They may just be going to the middle of a field but wherever they are going it seems to be in the most middle class way ever.

Items on the list appear to include a gazebo and dips. Just how essential are they?

But I was pleased to hear their list includes alcohol in various guises — only for the adults, of course.

I would suggest they spend a week in the Jolly Woodman rather than a field because it is like a country pub, so you get the countryside feel without having to get back to nature.

The pub is very traditional in appearance, complete with toilets not attached to the main part of the boozer and the tiny leaded windows from days gone by.

Unfortunately, being in the centre of Beckenham, it did come with city prices with a pint of Harvey’s Best Bitter costing £3.

It was hoppy and slightly fruity but in the credit crunch I had to make sure it did not slip down too quickly.

The Timothy Taylor’s Landlord is a stronger beer than the Best at 4.3 per cent but tasted lighter than the first one.

One thing is for sure, it made my wallet lighter with it costing an extra 10 pence.

It is better than camping in a field with a gazebo but could be even better if the drinks weren’t so dear.