The Wellington, WC2

The Wellington is an interesting street corner pub close to Aldwych and Covent Garden market. The rather grand exterior gives way to a surprisingly compact split level interior with a fine wooden servery running down the majority of the left hand side. The lower front part of the pub has a limited amount of seating which continues to run along the side windows opposite the bar. There is a nice mix of high tables and stools and some smart looking leather button backed banquettes, with some of the seating separated by dark wooden screens with etched glass panes. The porch of the side entrance also has some nice etched glasswork and there are some interesting features at the rear of the room, where a grand fireplace can be found surrounded by marble covered walls and some large mirrors. The ceiling is very decorative and has a few pleasant light fittings which are complemented by the integral lamps on the window sills. A few people were braving the cold on the pavement tables that run down the side of the pub and others were making their way upstairs to the separate dining room. This is a Nicholson’s pub so I was hopeful that there would be some interesting ales to sample. The options on my visit were Rudgate Ruby Mild, Thornbridge Jaipur, Adnams Ghost Ship, Nicholson’s Pale Ale, Wytchwood Hobgoblin, Fullers London Pride and Titanic Iceberg (£3.80), with Acorn Euro IPA being taken off before I could order a pint. The Iceberg was unfortunately in pretty poor shape and I think Quinno makes an interesting point about the pub’s limited capacity not being able to support an ale range this wide. This place is a bit of a mixed bag as far as I’m concerned. There’s no doubt that it’s a nice place to spend a bit of time and that there’s a good chance of finding a new beer or two, but the quality of the beer needs to improve dramatically if the pub is to seriously challenge some of the excellent ale houses in this part of town.

This is a narrow and compact Nicholson's pub which appears to have once consisted of two consecutive rooms. One space now, divided by three steps. The pub has a few notable characteristics, the fancy decorative ceiling, carved dark wood bar back, a row of five chandeliers and an abundance of Duke of Wellington paraphernalia, pictures, a bust, glass wellington boots and so on. In the middle of the pub on a side wall is a strange lean-on seat/bench rather like you find on the tube. Mostly high tables and ledges in the front section, but with some more traditional seating at the back, where there is some marble wall panelling and an attractive reddish coloured marble fireplace. Two banks of seven pumps at each end of the bar repeated the choice, being St Austell Tribute and Proper Job, Doom Bar, Red Squirrel Hopfest, Thornbridge Jaipur, Pride and Caledonian Dutchman. My Proper Job was slightly tired but drinkable. Upstairs is "Duke's Bar and Dining" (not visited) and there is some continental style pavement seating outside.

Part of the Nicholsons chain, who are putting a lot of effort in towards promoting real ales. A well run pub with a good choice of ales. Will return.