Silver Cross, SW1

Following the route set out in my copy of London's Inns & Taverns, and trusting to WhatPub for opening times, I arrived here at just after 11am to find lights on but doors still locked, so the Clarence (just along the block) got the first chance to sell me a drink, and this one was open when I tried again at 11:30. I hadn't appreciated that this pub is an amalgamation of two buildings, and was looking everywhere for the famous barrel-vaulted ceiling mentioned in the book, only spotting it on my way out through the door on the right (labelled 'exit', otherwise I'd have seen it on my way in - see photos), in the narrower older building. The main pub on the left is a low-ceilinged modern development relying on steel pillars and girders to prevent the rest of the building tumbling down on unsuspecting drinkers. To be fair, my half of Greene King IPA was as good as it gets; other beers on the two sets of four hand pumps were Abbot, London Glory and a guest. The low ceiling was emphasised by the light from chandeliers, and the furniture was a mixture of some quite nice old-fashioned tables and chairs on the one hand, and some bench seating with ripped leatherette on the other. Not one to add to the list of pubs to come back to again and again.

This is an early 20th century pub on multiple levels, in the typical Greene King style, not that you could see much of it for all the Christmas decorations, mid-November. Items to sap joy included games machines and sport TVs, which no one was watching. The ceiling is low, probably so that the aircon units can be flush fitted. There’s a part flagstone clad floor, to give the impression that this is an old pub; it’s not, as Rex points out, having been extended into further buildings. The end result looks like an upmarket Harvester or similar conversion by Wetherspoons. Music was quite loud, with customers a bit laddish, several outside on my arrival, being heavily intoxicated. Ales offered were GK IPA and London Glory, so a half of Neck Oil it was, at a staggering £3.40 a half. This is a very poor pub by most standards, which I never intend to revisit; the Old Shades next door is an altogether different experience; I can’t imagine what the tourists think.

A real Tardis of a pub and despite it's ownership by the dead hand of Greene King,it is worth a squint inside.There are lots of nooks and crannies and an impressive staircase leading the a basement bar.To the right entrance side is a discrete leather bound snug area while beyond the bar there is a flagstone tiled area leading to a back section and another down staircase.Live sport is advertised but I couldn't readily see any screens. I was shown to a table but no T&T details were taken.A slimmed down menu seemed expensive for corporate pub grub with a median price of £12.The four handpumps were always only going to offer GK IPA (indistinct and a rip off at £2.60 the half) Tick it if in the area,but make it a swift half.

Official site of Silver Cross - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk