The Colonel Fawcett, NW1

Tucked away in the backstreets near Camden Road station with some rather unsightly roadworks at the front, this place felt more like a restaurant than a pub. On walking through the door, a podium has a sign asking you to wait to be seated. It was one of those places where reservations are recommended and seeing that most tables were occupied, I requested to take a seat at the bar once approached. Luckily this offer was accepted, given this was the penultimate place left for me to visit in the Greater London section of the Good Beer Guide! There are 3 handpulls at the bar. But only 1 is in use these days. It was clipped with Hammerton N7, which I duly ordered. It was very much on the cloudy/hazy side, but was still drinkable. No CAMRA discount was offered. Although I note below that it should have been. Craft beers were Beavetown Neck Oil & Gamma Ray, Hammerton Panama Creature & Tuned, Tiny Rebel Easy Livin', Deya Steady Rolling Man & The Kernel Pale Ale. There was also Gravity Theory Cider. Another pub that is aimed more to diners than casual drinkers. A little disappointing.

This is a pleasant backstreet pub close to Camden Road station and a good ten minute or so walk from Camden Town. The pub has what would once have been at least a two-room layout, now mostly opened out, with only a limited degree of partitioning between the two sides, aided by a curtain which can be drawn across to fully separate the two halves. Both rooms have smart floorboards and low wood panelled walls with plain painted or wallpapered upper sections. The right side of the pub houses the servery, which is tucked away in the rear right corner and has an attractive curved dark wood counter fronting a much less memorable modern bar back. Pew seating runs along the front wall, tables and chairs fill a lot of the open space through the centre and there are a few long, high tables with bar stools to the side of the servery. There’s a nice fireplace to one side, next to an elaborate spiral staircase that leads up to who-knows-where - it’s unclear if the public are welcome to climb up and find out. Several TV screens are dotted around the room but aside from this, visual distraction is at a minimum, with a mirror above the fireplace, some paintings here and there, a set of antlers and a wooden tennis racket comprising the attempt at adding some character to the place. The left side looked a bit more like it was set up for dining (menus were available on all tables throughout the pub though), as it offered standard tables and chairs plus some leather banquettes, in what felt like a more formal space. There’s another fireplace with a plain mirror above on the end wall and various pictures and antlers fill much of the wall space. There’s also some good quality hard bench seating in a well-made pavement-side seating area to the front of the pub. As I suspect was the case with the last couple of reviewers, I was drawn here by the pub’s inclusion in the last couple of editions of the Good Beer Guide. There are three handpulls on the bar, but as with so many London pubs in the post-pandemic world, only one of these was clipped, offering Redemption Hopspur alongside a much wider selection of craft keg products across two banks of eight taps. A cheery barmaid served me a pint of the Hopspur, which was admittedly in very good condition - probably as good as anything you’re likely to find in Camden these days. This place was a little simpler and more food-led than I’d expected, but neither of those things detracted from what was ultimately a pretty enjoyable visit. I thought the pub balanced the food and drink sides of the business nicely and I most definitely enjoyed a very good pint of cask ale, which might well tempt me back out this way the next time I’m in and around Camden.

Victorian building with wooden fitted bench seating in the patio infront of the side entrance.There is also a rear beer garden.The interior is L shaped,open plan with two narrow high tables opposite the bar,while the rest of the furniture was trad ,mainly large dining type tables with either bench seating or chairs.The decoration was also traditional With the flatscreen off and gentle muzak it felt friendly and welcoming,and the barman was clearly a good chap,topping up my lively pint without being asked. Food is offered here but doesn't dominate,and with a weekly quiz there is a community feel.Three handpumps with two working on my trip offering Dartmoor Jail Ale and Oakham Citra (a little tired,NBSS 2,£5).There are a lot more craft keg options with Kernel and Pressure Drop besides the more ubiquitous Beavertown and european lagers. Didn't quite match up to the GBG 2022 entry,but a decent enough pub.

Good Beer Guide 2021 entry but amongst double digit keg, they had just one cask on. One for others to debate. Named after one of the last englishment to die in a duel. Person in front of me was ordering a virgin mary. Not sure that was what the colonel would have wanted. On the subject of Kernel - they had Pale Ale. I know this is revered and having had it previously only in bottles, I couldn't understand why. Made sense on draught - a gorgeous - if not expensive (£6.10) pint. A bit gastro'y but I will forgive it as they played excellent music and the staff were all lovely. Small beer garden at front and rear.

Still painted a dull battleship grey outside, inside is openplan with a gastro almost shabby chic feel with a mix of seating ,high and low. Just two hand pumps on the bar and I counted about thirteen keg taps with a mix of Lager,Craft and Cider on offer, I stayed with the handles which offered a decent choice between Five Points Pale and Redemption Rock The Kazbek, which was fine. This wouldn't be a first choice pub for me but it was Ok.

Dull looking from outside and very gloomy inside.Two customers were using their phone light to read the menu.Probably nicer in daylight.Very nice rear flower covered garden.No island bar now just a corner bar.Two handpump with only New River -lost river on which was decent.Busy.

Apparently built on the site of the last fatal duel fought in England (and the eponymous participant lost...). Refurbished, but no particularly distinguishing features apart from having patio seating areas to both front and rear. Spiral staircase in one corner to an upstairs room (not visited). Although close to the mayhem that is Camden Town at the weekend, it is just far away to remain a civilised spot even on a sunny summer Saturday evening. Bombardier and Purity Pure Gold (£4.30) available from the brace of handpumps. Gin also a speciality.

Colonel Fawcett official site with menu and event details - www.thecolonelfawcett.co.uk

Colonel Fawcett official site with menu and event details - www.thecolonelfawcett.co.uk