Windsor Castle, NW1

There was a good ale selection on here, with London Pride, Pedigree, Sambrook's Junction, Gipsy Hill Beatnik (£2.20 a half) and St Austell Big Job available. According to the guv'nor, the latter ale is a stonking 7.4% version of Proper Job. I know someone who would probably have gone for that, but, lightweight that I am, I bottled it as it were.There wasn't a menu on my table, but there were condiments on the tables, and a dining room and lounge was advertised upstairs, so clearly food is available - or at least it was when I dropped in Wednesday lunchtime. Inside it's very pub-like, which is of course a good thing. Furnishings are just settles and normal tables and chairs; there's a large mirror on one of the walls; an attractive fireplace on the left; and the latticed bay window is an attractive feature. The exterior is quite striking, with the pub designed to look like a castle turret, complete with mock fortifications on the parapet. It's hard to put your finger on what it needs for a pub to have a pub feel - but this one's got it for me. I liked this one. I also appreciated the guv'nor taking the trouble to warn me about the ABV of the St Austell Big Job.

Distinctive pub, with bold blue stripes on the curved facade and castellations at the top. Despite the narrow frontage, it retains two front doors (although only pair seemed to be in regular use). The small, 'L'-shaped bar area is rather cramped, but there are four more tables on the rear landing (by the kitchen serving hatch) and if you keep going up you will find a spacious front lounge. Also has some benches out on the pavement. Four of five handpumps in operations, offering Pride, ESB, Landlord and Butcombe Bitter (£3.50, in good form, and served in the right glass). Overall, appeared busier than most other pubs in the area at a quiet time of day, so that's probably a good sign.

Official site of the Windsor Castle, contains menu and wine list - www.the-windsorcastle.co.uk

Official site of the Windsor Castle, contains menu and wine list - www.the-windsorcastle.co.uk

This is quite a small pub that doesn’t have the most comfortable seating arrangement as to save space pew benches have been used around the walls and due to my frame I’m not big fan. There is a normal table in the large bay window, but this seemed to be the plot of choice for the well heeled locals. There is a large staircase at the rear of the pub which leads up to a lounge bar which is probably roomier, but I did not investigate on this visit. There is a plasma screen in the bar area, but this was off and I saw no signs for any sport which wasn’t surprising. The barmaid was a little frosty, but there was a good ale range of Seafarer, Pride, Landlord and Oxford Gold alongside a premium draught selection. This is probably a good place to take the other half for a bit to eat, but I wouldn’t return just for a beer again.