Ye Old White Horse, WC2

Along with the George IV just around the corner this is one of three pub venues all owned by the London School of Economics (LSE), and within the boundaries of the expanding LSE campus. The third, The Three Tuns although sounding and looking like a pub is actually the LSE student Union bar and is not open to the general public therefore not on this site. Ye Old White Horse in St Clements Lane is a small one bar pub which stretches back past the serving bar on the left as well described by BF below. The pub is a bit dark, especially the farther you go in, but on fine weather days the outside seating area in the cobbled pedestrianised outside lane, around large beer barrels adorned with large Madri umbrellas for our visit is the spot to grab. This pub is also owned by the LSE but in this case not run but leased out, currently to a proper old school guvnor who has no truck with student discounts. Consequently, there is a much more mature crowd here, at lot of whom seemed to be staff of the LSE getting away from their students. There are four ale pulls on but only one in operation for our visit with a passable Dark Star Hop Head at £6 a pint. As most others seemed interested in what was on the keg taps, I am guessing there’s not a great real ale demand generated by its location close to the LSE. Well, one ale served decently is sometimes enough and I still thought this was a decent pub experience.

Official site of Ye Old White Horse - www.yeoldwhitehorse.co.uk

Official site of Ye Old White Horse - www.yeoldwhitehorse.co.uk

Tucked away behind the London School of Economics, this is an unremarkable side-street pub with a narrow frontage. The bar gets marginally wider at the slightly raised back area but just space for a few tables and a some tall stools along edge drinking shelves. Limited decor comprising some old Guinness posters and a couple of large mirrors enlivened by a few festive lights, but some decent music also made a bit of a difference. All four handpumps operational on this visit, with Monty Python's (Black Sheep) Holy Grail, Adnam's Lighthouse, Butcombe Chris Mouse (£4.30) and Rosie's Pig cider.

Only a few people at the rear of the room. No beer above 4.5%, I'm afraid and the Landlord wasn't that brilliant. No return for me.