The Bloomsbury Tavern, Bloomsbury, WC2

Attractive Shepherd Neame pub, with a very small bar but more seating upstairs (not visited) plus a few patio tables out front. Traditional decor and furniture (what there is of it). Master Brew, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay (£3.75) available from the two banks of handpumps on the counter. Overall, worth popping in if in the area.

Randomness Guide to London - Bloomsbury Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Bloomsbury Tavern entry

My first visit to this pub for a good two or three years, but it's not changed as far as I can see. Easily the best pub in New Oxford Street – but there is really little competition. It retains the distinctive stained glass façade; has a couple of tables on the pavement; and a handful of tables/chairs/stools inside. So, fairly small as pubs go, but a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area. Decent pint of Master Brew as well.

This was pub number 2 on our visit to Denham, and like the Green Man, it has a large patio at the back that will be lovely in the summer. Choice was Courage - best I think, Wadworth 6x, and Marlow Rebellion IPA. The other pump was empty. Paid £3 for 2 halves of Rebellion. Food was finished here too. There were lots of wine bottles behind the bar and I felt it was more of a restaurant than a pub, but having said that, the beer was fine.

This place is so much smaller than it looks from outside, where there are 3 entrances. A fairly unremarkable but not unpleasant interior with a single room having the bar along the inside wall with seating opposite, plus bar stools. Further space available upstairs, where there are sofas amongst other seating. Nice stained glass windows with heraldic shields picked out. Wood panelling on the walls. Sky Sports on mute. A Shepherd Neame house now, Nicholsons picked out in the glazing over one door but not any more I think. Good to see the Late Red still available at this time of year, my favourite SN beer.