The Barley Mow, Marylebone, W1

Official site of The Barley Mow - www.barleymowlondon.co.uk

Closed on Sundays, this is supposedly the oldest pub in Marylebone, dating from 1791, grade II-listed and on CAMRA’s list of pubs with interiors of National Importance. Photos on CAMRA’s site, the most interesting heritage items here are the little private ‘confessional’ booths, linked to the bar and wall with metal brackets, which apparently were used for pawnbrokers’ transactions. With a stool, they can only accommodate only around five people of average size. The walls are clad in some form of matchboard and are absolutely festooned with the largest number of clip fronts I’ve ever seen; it must run to hundreds. Customers seemed to be a very mixed and friendly bunch, one loud local American causing me to seek refuge in one of the said boxes. Two unused clips, the friendly barmaid thereafter serving up Windsor & Eton’s Eton Boatman, Cwtch, Pride and Proper Job at a very stiff £5.20 and in excellent shape. This is a great little pub, worth pairing with the Jackalope.

Official site of The Barley Mow - www.barleymowlondon.co.uk

Attractive, old-fashioned (in a good way) London pub with a 'U'-shaped layout featuring some traditional 3/4-height wooden screened booths to the left of the central counter. With limited space for more furniture at the front and the right-hand side, and only a few tables in the rear 'VIP Room', many of the punters were out on the pavement as is usual in these parts. Traditionally decorated with a fine display of pump clips too. Four of the six handpumps were in use on this visit, with real ales ranging from Doom Bar, XT 4 Session Amber and Windsor & Eton Corker! and Over the Moon mild from Dark Star (£4.90).

Quirky interior with some wooden booths/snugs. 6 real ales.

Bar in centre as you come in. Booths to the left and open at the right and rear. Six real ales - nothing above 4.5% ABV.

Nice little pub a short stroll from the main drag. If you are visiting for a trip to Wembley and want to avoid the crush of the Globe and the Spoons it is worth popping in here and the nearby Beehive. You can actually get served and get a decent pint!