The Mayflower, Rotherhithe, SE16

A decent looking pub tucked away in the back streets of Rotherhithe and just around the corner from the Brunel Museum, it is named after the ship that carried the Pilgrim Fathers to America which departed nearby. A terrace at the rear offers views of the Thames and the building opposite and a notice warns that your feet may get wet at high tide! The rear door from here to the pub is also clearly a waterproof affair. Internally it’s got a rustic, olde worlde charm with all manner of bits and pieces covering every available surface. Essentially it’s all one open plan room, although divided in to a few different areas. There are leaded windows at the front of the pub and wood strip flooring, along with some exposed brick walling. An attractive brick built fire-place was towards the rear of the pub and there were a few wooden beams on the ceiling as well as substantial looking supporting timberwork. A few pictures on the wall documented the ship from which the pub takes it’s name, as well as other historical notes. The pub was liberally adorned with tankards, miner’s lamps, model ships, stuffed birds, candelabra and a stag’s head among other things. Beers on tap were Mayflower Scurvy Ale, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Robinson’s Trooper, Evans Evans Britannia and Oakham JHB. Ciders meanwhile were Aspall’s Harry Sparrow and Rosie’s Pig. All in all, a lovely old pub and definitely worth making the effort to get to.