The Mayflower, Rotherhithe, SE16

Although the pub sign still declares this to be a Greene King pub, there were none of their branded products on display yesterday afternoon. Six handpumps, St Austell Proper Job, Brentwood Golden Galaxy (£4.00), Dark Star Hophead, Skinner's Betty Stogs, Bath Ales Gem plus house ale Landlord's Choice Scurvy which I suspect is a GK rebadge. The pub itself is an 1860s rebuild but once inside it feels and looks even older. A C-shaped boarded floored space around a central bar, diamond leaded windows, black painted lower panelled walls, exposed brick inglenook fireplace, seating is mainly old benches and settles at small tables. The walls and ceilings have all manner of objects fixed or hanging from them, ships' lamps, some rigging and a bit of mast, ships' hooks, tools, photos of the area, the docks, ship building and ships in sail, also a hand written record relating to the pilgrim fathers' voyage on the Mayflower from 1620. All fascinating stuff and the sort of things I like to see in a pub with something new to spot each time rather than the modern stripped out minimalist fashion. As well as the maritime stuff there are china tea cups and teapots, a former pub sign over the bar and various quotations and inscriptions along the chair backs and beams. It is a bit foody these days, I saw several people eating what looked to be decent fare, pie of the day with mash, veg and gravy £10.95, Glos Old Spot sausages with mash and black pudding onion gravy for the same price. A board lists a selection of artisan British cheeses with the price becoming a better deal per unit the more you choose. The rear deck is a good place to sit on a sunny day with great Thames views; nowadays half the area has an awning, but you can still sit right on the river edge where there is a drinking shelf. The pub loan out blankets for those wishing to sit outside on colder evenings. Another change since my last visit several years ago, a Stars and Stripes and a Union flag fly from the deck over the river. It's a cracking pub now with the range of ales on offer, it does get busy and it is on the tourist trail but if you get in at the right time and get a decent seat you may stay for longer than you intended.

Official site of The Mayflower - www.themayflowerrotherhithe.com

Official site of The Mayflower - www.themayflowerrotherhithe.com