The Wheatsheaf, Fitzrovia, W1

This classic example of an inter war Brewery Tudor pub that has probably fooled generations of tourists expecting to find some kind of historic Olde Worlde tavern with all its medieval charm. It’s an easy mistake and with its passageway down one side you can just imagine aw orld of old stagecoaches passing through. The interior is quite traditional and whilst knocked through, it does retain front and rear sections. The main bar is at the front wioith bare floors and little in the way of tables so stool at the ledge opposite the bar is probably the best you will get when it’s busy. The rear section is carpeted and has a couple of banquettes around a central marble fireplace. There is also a small strip of seating on the pavement and an upstairs room that appears to be more for functions than general usage. There is a TV in the rear section and a background montage of chart stuff that was barely noticeable. The most eyecatching feature is the latticed glazing with its coloured glass and heraldic shields. Scottish brewers Wm Younger also get in on the act with their name spelled out within the glazing. The 3 ales are hardly an inspirational choice, Abbott, Greene King IPA and Doom Bar, but at £3.25 for the Abbot, they don’t appear to be stupidly priced. I didn’t notice anything in the way of food availability, the only Marketing gumph being a wine list on the table. The pub can get very busy with office workers towards the end of the week but seems pretty relaxed away from peak times. Previous visitors include the likes of Orwell and Dylan Thomas (if there isn’t a pub around here that they haven’t frequented, I haven’t fopund it). I quite like the place and would happily pop in now and again although I don’t tend to wander around here as much as I used to and it never made any lasting impressions on my previous visits, probably due to its unadveturous ale range.

Randomness Guide to London - Wheatsheaf entry

Randomness Guide to London - Wheatsheaf entry

They had GKIPA and Hobgoblin on tap when I was in there at the weekend. I was given short measure, but my glass was readily topped-up on request. I had the Hobgoblin which was excellent. This was clearly previously a Younger's pub, retaining all the very attractive original leaded and stained glass windows on the front and down the long side of the pub. Seating is a mixture of stools by ledges in the main part of the bar, and a handful of tables and chairs at the back This is a rather nice little pub, but what makes it a bit special for me is the original Wm. Younger's windows and décor – even without the tartan wallpaper that many of the Younger's pubs used to have!

I quite liked it in here as the bar staff were very friendly and the Hobgoblin was very nice. The staff were dressed up and they were enthusiastically hanging Halloween decorations around the pub. I would visit again if in the area.