Old Red Lion, Kennington, SE11

The Red Lion – as it would once have been – dates from around the mid-18th century, this incarnation built in 1933 as a Hoare’s swansong, grade II-listed and included on CAMRA’s inventory of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Exceptional National Historic Importance; a comprehensive description is included on both CAMRA’s and Historic England’s websites. Certainly, the exterior is as fine an example of brewers’ Tudor as you’ll ever see, with the name Charrington still visible to the sign and to a metal band on the lantern. No longer part of the Antic stable, ‘baronial’ doesn’t do the interior justice, with roughhewn wooden members, the name in wrought iron to the pot shelf, leaded stained-glass windows and heraldic shields, a copper shield displaying the Charrington’s Toby logo to a wall and depiction of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s return to Scotland, all to dark mysterious lighting; I wouldn’t have been surprised if Simon Shama had emerged from a nook. There was a good soundtrack, featuring the likes of Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Slade and Rainbow, playing to a mixed crowd. With no mead on offer, ales amounted to Brockley’s Pale at a very competitive £4.90 a pint and their Summer XPA then Portobello’s Westway and Star at £2.20 a half and on fine form, served by friendly bar staff. This is a must-visit pub for SE11 and certainly worth a look if in London.

Official site of Old Red Lion - theoldredlion.uk

Official site of Old Red Lion - theoldredlion.uk

Interesting-looking ex-Charrington house with a brewer's Tudor façade and an 'olde worlde' two-bar layout. Also has a single-storey rear extension with a number of brick-built booths and a patio beer garden. Although now run by Antic, they don't appear to have done two much 'distressing' (perhaps because little had changed over previous decades so they didn't need to?). Total of six handpumps on the two counters, with a typically diverse selection of real ales ranging from the Volden Session to Lucid Dream cream stout from Turning Point (£4.30) and a 6.0% IPA.