AS we walked into this classic little Camberwell pub at 2pm on a summer's Sunday afternoon, the clock behind the bar told us it was 1.10pm.

When we left two hours later following a delicious meal, the hands remained unmoved.

This feature, deliberate or not, summed up The Bear nicely. A place where time stands still, where staff play music suitable for a public house in wartime London, or indeed maybe a scene out of Goodnight Sweetheart - where time really does not move.

But regardless of whether our meal used up zero hours or two hours, it was certainly time well spent.

Bar staff are extremely friendly yet not over-fussy. Flowers on tables and well-maintained bar areas make for a pleasant welcome, while the bathroom comes with expensive raspberry and pomegranate handwash - a very nice touch.

The Sunday lunch menu is equally as classy. Roast pork with chentenay carrots, beans, roast potatoes and a neat lashing of apple sauce is truly fantastic.

Cooked to perfection and of a decent size, the pork belly was baked with a perfectly crisp and salty layer of crackling which left the palette craving another swig of the tasty house Sauvignon Blanc.

The chicken - equally as enjoyable, although not as filling - left ample room for a choice of superb desserts ranging from the simple but delicious chocolate hot pot to the sweet and bouncy cherry and almond sponge with ice cream.

The Bear is certainly the jewel in the crown of Camberwell dining, and must surely be up there with the finest of pub lunch eateries in south London.

A Sunday roast for two with wine and dessert comes to around £45.

The Bear, 296a Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0RP.

Call 020 7274 7037, email info@thebear-freehouse.co.uk, or visit thebear-freehouse.co.uk