Reopened only a few days after we took this photo (the decorators, carpenters and gardeners were hard at work), the Durrell Arms, has in our opinion, got off to a flying start.

It's a monster of a Victorian pub that's been brought well and truly into the 21st century, with smart decor, smart furnishings and an excellent range of drink.

The Durrell is effectively a pub in three parts, each the size of many lesser pubs, comprising a conventional tables/chairs arrangement at the front, a boothed area to the side of the L-shaped bar and a sort of lounge area in a room at the back.

Sporting one of the biggest screens we've seen in any pub, naturally (but not exclusively), for watching the sport.

We were in the weekend it opened and though the staff still getting to grips with the new pub, you wouldn't have guessed it (except for the smell of the recent activity of the decorators) - we've experienced far worse service in pubs that have been open for much, much longer.

As we said earlier there's a great range of drink on offer, all tastes are catered for, from good real ales to a decent wine list.

Our only gripe (albeit a small and easily fixed one) is, if you have subdued lighting in a pub don't print the menu in tiny script on dark paper.

None of our group could read it - even using a mobile as a torch - as a result we left hungry.

Nevertheless we feel the Durrell Arms has started very well - we'll definitely be popping in next time we're round here.

NEAREST STATION: Parsons Green station

FEATURES: quiz night Tuesday, Sky TV - giant screen and smaller ones