Daylight Inn, Petts Wood

Development of Petts Wood started in the 1920s and the pub probably dates from that time The exterior has black and white half timbering on the upper storey, and red brick on the lower, with wonderful chimney stacks. The pub appears to have made into one large room at some time as there are three distinct ceiling styles. The first is plaster with moulded plaster cornices decorated with birds and vines and unusual embossed plaster representations of flowers such as thistles and lilies and a Charrington Toby symbol adorning the walls below the cornices. The second has a wooden beamed ceiling, the third plaster panels. Inside there is fielded wooden wall panelling and leaded windows. The fireplaces are of red brick, some with twisted brick columns.

The servery has a half-timbered canopy which looks more modern but the bar-back has more convincing Tudor-arched detail. Part of the bar counter has also been replaced with the same half timbered panelling as the canopy. Note also the charming plaster panels in the main room depicting fairies frolicking among trees and various birds and animals, including a frog.

Double wooden doors at the right hand end of the L shaped bar lead to a magnificent function room with a fine barrel roof. This room also contains a small corner bar. At quiet times it is possible to arrange a visit to the function room but it is best to ring ahead. Outside there is a Charrington Toby ceramic plaque over one of the entrance doors. The pubs unusual name comes from local resident William Willett who campaigned for daylight saving time in the early part of the Twentieth century.

The Public Bar and Smoke Room on the left were combined in the 1980s – the Snug bar on the right still remains as a separate room linked by two doorways to the left hand bar. In 1980s when the bar and smoke room were combined new bar fittings were installed in all rooms – this is confirmed by looking at the servery in the Function Room (which is obviously a later addition after part of the Function Room was lost to form a kitchen) - it is identical to all the others. The bar back fitting with carved leaf feature in the top left and right corners of each bay looks very similar to the original style in the top of doorways but is different.

The bar counter front does look to be of a style suitable for 1935 (or 1950s) but if you look at the ladies and gents doors and run your hand over the panelling it has a smooth finish whereas that on the counter front and on some wall panelling (& the Disabled Toilet door) have a notable rougher finish.