The Gipsy Moth, Greenwich, SE10

Originally the Wheatsheaf and renamed after Frank Chichester’s eponymous round-the-world sailing boat’s exploits, the pub dates from at least the mid-18th century and could easily be original, or at least the façade, if not the interior. This is a large affair, going quite a way back to a modern extension, then beyond to a beer garden; it was also by far and away the busiest pub in central Greenwich on my Thursday evening visit, indeed the only busy pub in central Greenwich. The floor is modern boarded, the interior sporting a dark grey colour scheme, with little if anything of the original pub remaining. Furniture is conventional, décor amounting to hanging ferns, nautical prints with lighting being either hanging things with filament bulbs or bulkhead lights. Customers were very studenty with a few tourists and an elderly group, the patriarch looking appropriately enough like Captain Birdseye. There were just two ales on, pumps marginalised to the far end of the long bar, drawing Birmingham’s Pale Brummie and Hadrian Border’s Farne Island at a jaw dropping £3.10 a half, served by an absolutely hopeless barman, who seemed not to have pulled a pint before; it was though rather good. This place is fine if you want a bit of action and a decent half, as on balance this is one of the better places in central Greenwich, but perhaps it’s just a bit too lively for me and the prices are obscene – you don’t pay this much for cask in Mayfair.

Corner pub just opposite the Cutty Sark and close to the Cutty Sark DLR station. The pub has recently started opening at 11am on a Sunday, to take advantage of the summer tourist trade. It suited my early start and will undoubtedly suit the needs of thirsty tourists to Greenwich. The ground floor bar felt dark, but window seats are a good place for people watching. The bar is split into two separate areas, the rear part being slightly below the front, if my memory serves me right. Toilets are upstairs. Two cask ales can be found at the end of the bar nearest the entrance. For my visit, the regular Doom Bar was supplemented by Hophead. The craft beer range is more extensive - New Belgium Voodoo Ranger, Beavertown Neck Oil, Camden Pale, Signature Backstage IPA, Big Hug Pave The Way, Brewgooder Tropical Pale & Vocation Life and Death. My Voodoo Ranger was enjoyable. A pub I'd not visited on previous trips to Greenwich. But it's location may mean I will make a return visit.

A fairly large pub strategically located alongside the Cutty Sark, so unsurprisingly popular with tourists, but not unpleasant if peak visiting times are avoided. At the front is a small traditional bar area while ther rear is opened out into a large room generally set up for dining with a kitchen counter. A dark green colour scheme, part glazed roof and numerous trailing plants give something of a greenhouse feel. There is a large patio area to the back and side. Just TT Landlord and Doom Bar on the pumps, possibly reduced due to Covid effects on trade but condition good.

Facebook page of The Gipsy Moth - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Gipsy Moth - www.facebook.com