Ye Old White Horse, WC2

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.

Given the 'Ye' affectation, it should come as no surprise to learn that this was once just The White Horse and is leased from the neighbouring LSE which explains the preponderance of students. Bare boarded, the place has one large impossibly high table at front, no furniture in the middle and a small raised area to the rear with some conventional furniture and a modern bare brick wall - essentially this is a vertical drinking establishment-cum-student union bar with muted music and Sky Sports when required to make the place even less appealing to the discerning pub-goer. Ales: Brakspeare's Best, Hog's Back TEA, Timothy Taylor's Golden Best and Woodforde's Wherry at a steep £2.30 a half and not great. My university days are long over so I'll not be returning - The George next door has a student bias and is far superior.

Hidden away down narrow St Clement's Lane, between Kingsway and the LSE, this is a tiny fronted pub which once inside belies its appearance and goes back a fair way. One room, bar to the middle side with limited seating consisting of one table in the front window, a ledge opposite the bar then up a couple of steps a few small tables with leather banquette and stool seating at the back. The walls and textured patterned ceiling are coloured blood red, decor includes plenty of old Guinness adverts (the pub has a vaguely Irish feel)cartoons of the legal profession, hunting and golfing scenes. At the end of the bar is an old cast iron fireplace with tiled sides. The front door and windows have some decent looking etched glass and a couple of large mirrors on the side wall make the narrow space feel a bit roomier. The overall feel is comfortable and quiet, even with the rugby on TV yesterday, you could easily be some distance from central London. There are four handpumps, just two working at the time, Pride, Landlord (£3.60) with Black Sheep Bitter and Tribute reversed. Food served, there was a burger menu on a chalkboard and I saw some reference to bangers and mash night. This is one of those tucked away surprise London pubs, away from the tourist trails and well worth seeking out.