Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

Dating from the mid-19th century as the Hope Tavern and once a Meux’s house, this is as mentioned a very grand and imposing wedgie shaped pub overlooking Wandsworth Common.
With the ATM gone, the most striking element of the interior is the raised approach and drinking area in front of the modernised bar; no longer do wheelchair uses have to undergo the indignity of being hauled up the stairs to use the loo, as there’s now an ingeniously installed lift. Otherwise, furniture is conventional, normal height or tall with some sofas. The colour scheme is now a shades of blue affair with white and a little bare brick with décor in the form of predictable quirky framed prints and potted palms, illuminated by à la mode light fittings; customers were locals, mixed in age and deep of pocket, all in good spirits, with raised voices to overcome the rather loud rock soundtrack.
The cask choice wasn’t up to much, especially for a Saturday, with an unused pump, one with a reversed clip then just Ghost Ship at an eye watering £3.20 a half and ok, nothing more.
This is quite a nice pub – certainly better than the neighbouring Althorpe – though the novelty of looking down from on high on fellow drinkers wouldn’t hold my attention forever, but the ale selection wasn’t up to much, likewise the quality. And then there’s the price.

I've been in a number of Mad Squirrel taprooms, but this one was a new one for me. What we assumed was the main entrance (as per the photograph on here) can be found in a dreary shopping precinct. However, the bar was empty and wasn't showing any signs of life. Luckily, we decided to take a closer look and found a set of steps to the side. If you descend these, you will find the ground floor of this taproom. What we had originally seen was an overflow first floor area. Instead of the empty bar we saw, the ground floor was quite busy.

There's no particular character here, with a simple room with bench-style seating. Beers are displayed on TV screens. There were a couple of their cask ales - Aussie Aussie Aussie & Diablo. However, the focus here is on their craft beers. The selection was Sumo, Fog Off, Hopfest, Evergreen, Zealous, Big Sea, Pulp Fiction, Roadkill, Sunrise on the Pier, Utopia, Apres Ski, De La Nut, Pin Drop, Huka Falls, Busted Biscuits, Foggy, Awaken, Baked Alaska, Aztec, Elephant Juice & Shamrock.

I'd imagine that craft beer enthusiasts could enjoy a good session here. We didn't have too much time before we needed to get a bus to Luton. So, it was a swift half for us, which may have meant that we didn't quite get to appreciate it as much as it deserved. I suspect I will give this place another go one day, when I have a little more time. First impressions were that this is a half decent place

Basic small locals boozer, I've been in bigger micropubs. L shaped room with a 1960s-style black and white wall with inlaid wood, office carpet, a fake mahogany early 90s servery, formica furniture from the 70s and a general air mish-mash. Initially lured in by the sign saying Bass for 4 quid - it was off the stillage and decent (NBSS 3). Loud New Wave and Ska pounding out the speakers with a gaggle of somewhat refreshed locals in their early pensionable years shouting at each other - proper Bristolians in that sense and I stood out like a sore thumb despite my previous provenance; I was pretty much allowed to mind my own business though you could tell they were all thinking “who the fck’s this?” So an authentic local’s pub though it certainly won’t suit most. I can see why Alan Winfield gave it a 7.

Multi-roomed gastropub owned by the same pubco as runs The James Figg further up the High Street, this hostelry being beyond the fair reaches of main drag. There's a nice 'snug' drinking area on entry dominated by a huge fireplace, but all other rooms set for dining, with two areas smaller and more intimate than the main dining area (top right from entry). Sharp's Doom Bar and locAle XT 3 on the stumps, the latter, for a fiver, was on good form (NBSS 3.5). Blackthorn's wine cellar with its wrought iron gate is still in situ which is a nice feature. (24th April 2024)

Directly opposite the more substantial and classy Hare & Hounds opposite. Popped in here for a quick jog down memory lane following dinner opposite. Much quieter by comparison and a more rustic and typical pub food offering. Feels like a long barn with the bar sitting between the two areas with some walking space in from there of between them. A handful of stools to sit at the bar.

Keg choices were Birra Moretti, Madri & Carling and then Guinness, with Stowford Press and Thatchers Haze for keg cider fans. On hand pump was, in comparison to the H&H, a dull choice between Doom Bar and Proper Job. I had a quick one of the latter and it was perfectly well kept.

Can’t see myself in Aberthin again any time soon, but I would choose the H&H over the FA every time.