The Feathers, SW1

An unscheduled stop yesterday, this is a fairly large Nicholsons with a big main front bar, and a smaller more comfortable raised area to the rear. Stairs curve up at the front to "The Black Princes" dining rooms. The main bar area has wooden floors, panelled columns with drinking shelves attached, and seating along the side wall. I preferred the rear section with its chequered tiled floor, stained glass rooflight and smaller tables. There is a long upholstered bench along the back wall. Architecturally rather grand but spoilt a bit by the air-con cassettes and duct boxiing on what was clearly once a decent ornate ceiling. TT Landlord, Pride, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Springhead Polar Beer, and Skinners Splendid Tackle on yesterday. The usual Nicholsons sausage menu is rather heavily advertised. The place isn't particularly special, but ok for a stop off.

This is a nice enough Nicholsons pub with six ales and a selection of standard and premium draught products available from the genial governor. There was some inoffensive background music playing and I seem to remember some plasma screens, but these were off as no sport was being played. I’d pop in here again if passing.

This is a Nicholson’s pub, with a pretty good ale selection available – London Pride; Doom Bar; Tribute; Bombardier; and Landlord. All were under £3 a pint. There are some attractive (possibly original) wood panelled walls, and some rather nice leaded lights above the front of the pub. There’s also a large skylight above the raised area at the back of the pub – possibly there was a billiards table there at some time, or maybe it just serves to give some welcome natural light to the back of the pub. I came in here in the 60s – I can’t remember much about it, but I do remember that it was a fairly basic boozer then. It’s nothing like a backstreet boozer now of course, but it’s not a bad pub. Not really worth going out of your way for, but OK nonetheless.

Official pages of The Feathers, contains menus, wine and real ale lists - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Official pages of The Feathers, contains menus, wine and real ale lists - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk