The Cheshire Cheese, Temple, WC2

Dating from at least 1791, this pub was rebuilt in 1928 by noted pub architect, Noel Parr, in the brewers’ Tudor style, inside and out, a feat which gets the place grade II-listed status and an inclusion on CAMRA’s list of pubs with an interior of Regional Importance, best appreciated on their website. A TV played banal silence for no obvious reason, which was very distracting; at least it didn’t clash with the rather loud rap music. Tables are mainly tall, but the overall feeling is quite atmospheric, due to the dark wood interior, with some internal leaded occluded glass. However, the presence of what I can only guess were barristers’ clerks as customers, is never an asset. A very friendly barman presided over two unused pumps, then just Whitstable Bay (off) and Spitfire at £2.70 a half, a bit dull and too cold. Making for a good double with the Edgar Wallace across the road, this is worth popping for a snoop and quick half, but I doubt I’d want to linger.