The Paxtons Head, Knightsbridge, SW1

Randomness Guide to London - Paxton's Head entry

Randomness Guide to London - Paxton's Head entry

There are masses of original late Victorian (or perhaps early Edwardian) features (etched and cut glass, original wooden bar back, high Lincrusta ceiling, etc) in this impressive pub on Knightsbridge that gives the interior an olde worlde attractiveness that only genuine antiques can achieve. But that’s as far as it goes. I dislike having to ask for a top up (one shouldn’t have to of course), but the beer was so far short of the top of the glass that I felt obliged to. Having said that, it was topped up graciously. This should be a really great pub, but it looks to have had the Spirit Group corporate identity embedded into it. But they’ve retained all the original features that they have inherited – although these days I think it would be much harder to get away with the acts of vandalism that have been visited upon far too many pubs in the past. Real ales on offer were Black Sheep Bitter; London Pride; and Deuchars IPA. Visit this pub if you like to drink surrounded by the olde worlde grandeur of a 110 or so year old setting, otherwise it’s OK, but nothing special.

Lots of dark wood inside, probably original fittings. Sells real ale. Food on sale all day. Has an upstairs dining area. Disable access.