The Red Lion, SW1

Confusingly, one of two Red Lions within a few hunded yards of each other, this classic Victorian pub has all the sumptious fixtures and fittings to justify its inclusion on the CAMRA Inventory for historic pub interiors. An earlier version of the pub stood here until the current building was built in 1821 although the frontage was rebuilt in 1871. The visitor is first attracted by a mass of flower baskets above which protrudes a fine, imposing pub sign. The interior is quite special albeit ver small, essentially just a single room with an island bar although a few divides split it more into convenient front and rear sections. There is little seating, just a couple of small tables in the front bar and stools at the bar itself or at ledges. The décor is all dark wood and spectacular patterned mirrors with an equally ornate ceiling. The 3 doors to street suggest that the pub was originally divided into even smaller bars although the central door, labeled as the public bar in the window, is no longer used. There is no music or TVs, no darts, pool or fruit machines, just a babble of chatter, mainly from what generally appears to be a quite upmarket customer base. Now a Fullers pub, there were 6 ales across the 8 hand pumps (6 in the front bar and 2 at the rear) with a good range including Pride, Chiswick, ESB, Discovery, Red Fox and Seafarers. The quality was fine but prices predictably steep with the Red Fox clocking up £3.45. This is one of the few unspoilt pubs remaining in central London and a place that pub afficianados should make an effort to visit.

Randomness Guide to London - Red Lion entry

Randomness Guide to London - Red Lion entry

I paid another visit to this survivor from the height of Victorian pub interiors the other evening. In days gone past this was an Allied Brewery’s pub, trading as Ind Coope in London, and is now a Fuller's pub. The takeover from the pubco that owned it previously (Nicholson's) has improved the ale selection in my opinion, as in addition to the Fuller’s ales on offer, the guest ale on my latest visit was Butcombe Bitter, which is an excellent ale and was in fine nick. This is so obviously a genuine Victorian treasure, having survived the ravages of WWII and the developers. Definitely a must for a visit for the decor alone. The etched and cut glass mirrors are some of the finest examples of this late Victorian trademark still in existence, reflecting light around the pub. This is definitely one of the best pubs in the area - along with its namesake in Crown passage.

This tiny little ex-Nicholsons pub is now run by Fullers and has six hand pumps dispensing their range of ales. I found the two barmaids to be very friendly and the clientele was mostly business rather than tourist which is probably explained by the high prices. The pub circles the small bar and it has a traditional feel with lots of ornate mirrors on the wall stretching from the entrance. I was lucky enough to find a seat at one of the tiny tables lining the exterior walls, but I wouldn’t hold much hope of doing this after 5pm. I’m a fan of Fullers so I liked it in here and I would recommend this place to others, if only to just have a look.