The newly refurbished Angel Oak in Peckham, formerly The Rye, will open its doors on the 23rd of September following a six-figure refurbishment designed to breathe a new lease of life into the well-known community pub.
Set on the corner of Peckham Rye Park and Common, the pub is a community hotspot for nearby residents. Originally named The Rye thanks to a link to William Blake, who reportedly saw one of the first visions that inspired his poetry whilst walking on Peckham Rye back in 1765.
The pub has now been renamed The Angel Oak both as a reference to the vision itself (in which Blake saw a tree filled with angels) and to commemorate a partnership between the Blake Society and the Forestry Commission, which saw an Oak sapling saved from the eroding margins of England and transported to the Peckham Rye Park & Common.
Reopening with a fresh look both externally and internally, guests of The Angel Oak will be able to enjoy a new-and-improved bar area and furniture layout which has resulted in a more functional space to enhance guests’ experience.
Outside, The Angel Oak boasts a new aged blue and grey paint scheme and a clean, neutral palette for signage. At the front of the pub, existing parking spaces have been converted into steel and charcoal coloured seating areas, which contrasts with a striking graffiti mural to bring the pub’s new personality to life.
At the rear of the pub, the site’s outdoor area has been converted into a beautiful winter garden, adding additional covered seating to allow more diners to enjoy The Angel Oak’s newly revamped seasonal menu.
Behind the bar, mounted craft taps feature on a statement tile backing, drawing guests’ eyes as soon as they enter the pub. Throughout the interior, the distressed décor is complemented by a brighter colour scheme, giving the pub a ‘lived in’ feel whilst providing an edginess in keeping with Peckham’s style.
Washrooms have also been upgraded to feature new timber panelling and distressed paint on cubicle doors.
Richard Dempsey, General Manager at The Angel Oak said: “The Angel Oak has always been a beautiful pub with an amazing atmosphere, and we’re confident this impressive refurbishment will only elevate that further.
“The combination of our modern new space and hero menu, alongside our year-round sport screenings will see the pub transformed into a chic hotspot, making it a must-visit for locals around Peckham and East Dulwich.
“After many months of closure, it’s exciting that we’re able to inject new life into The Angel Oak and we’re delighted to welcome guests back into the sleek new setting.”
The Angel Oak is located at 31 Peckham Rye, London, SE15 3NX, and will reopen on the 23rd of September
