Thornbury Castle, Marylebone, W1

Well described by RR below and by far the best beer option this close to Marylebone and Baker St. It's a very nice pub, untouched by corporate branding, enthusiastically run with an ever changing range of beers, carefully selected to cover various styles and strengths. Tasty looking Thai menu. There's a very keen rugby following here, so if that's your sport you will find easy conversation. Well worth seeking out.

There were six ales on handpump here, none from the ranks of the usual suspects, and including a mild. Top marks for this category then, even if my half of mild was £2. Each of the handpumps had brief tasting notes propped up on the bar in front of them, which is a nice touch. This works well when the bar is quiet – as it was when I was in here on Friday afternoon – but would be less useful when it’s busy. There were menus on the bar counter, and even though I didn’t get to examine one, the nosh a couple on the next table were tucking into looked OK. There is wood panelling on all the walls, and although it looks a more recent fit (although I could be wrong of course) it is very nicely done. I spotted a model ship on a ledge above a pillar; a nice mirror on a back wall; and a grandfather clock, as well as numerous prints on the walls. The pub itself is a fairly unusual design, with the bar counter on the left but with a small drinking area between it and the front of the pub, and with a raised area at the back stretching round behind the servery. My guess is that this was originally a small pub, but having been opened up into one or more back rooms. The majority of furnishings are traditional banquettes and standard tables and chairs, but with one tall table/stools filling a bit of empty space in the middle of the room. I liked this pub a lot. The presence of six less regularly seen ales is a massive plus for me. This is one that I would definitely like to return to when I’ve got a bit more time to spare. I reckon it’s a real find and which discerning Pubs Galore members should have on their “to do” list.

Nicely unpretencious local in side street, just across Euston Road from Marylebone station. Just walking in you can tell it's a proper pub and a welcome relief from trendy gastro conversions. All one large room, running three sides round a square bar, but quite well divided into different areas. Some reasonable ales which seemed ok; food on offer but not tried.

Randomness Guide to London - Thornbury Castle entry

Randomness Guide to London - Thornbury Castle entry