The Prince of Wales, Seven Kings, Ilford

Official site of The Prince of Wales - www.princeofwales-ilford.co.uk

Official site of The Prince of Wales - www.princeofwales-ilford.co.uk

This pub looks very tatty from the outside with some signage apparently having gone missing. I hope that it’s a temporary aberration and that it will be replaced before too long, or else given a lick of paint. But inside it’s much better, with a friendly barmaid who certainly doesn’t need a lick of paint! The front room as you enter is bare-boarded, but with standard furnishings and a dartbard in a corner on the left. The TVs were muted. There’s a separate room at the back on the right, which is carpeted and comfortably furnished with normal tables and chairs. The ales on were Young’s Bitter, Thwaite’s Wainwright (£2.70 a pint! – didn’t seem like being in Greater London), and GK Abbot Ale, with Caledonain Santa’s Little Helper and Oak Stout clipped on two further pumps but advertised as “coming soon”. I wasn’t eating but noticed a blackboard on the wall advertising a mixed grill at £9.50 and chicken and vegetable casserole, plus baguette, for £3.95. Another blackboard informed us of the forthcoming attractions – e.g. quiz night, games night, meat raffle, etc. There’s a garden at the back, and a small car park for patrons to the side of the pub. This struck me as an honest to goodness pub serving some decent ale. In fact a sign at the front proclaims it to be the “local’s local”. I’m not likely to pass this way again – unless against all the odds I win the Christmas hamper raffle – but if I do I would be very happy to drop in again for another pint.