The Huntsman & Hounds, Walworth, SE17

This is an old pub in the backstreets of Walworth, which still has a most attractive Victorian facade. There’s no real ale – the best bet being keg Courage Best (£1.45 a half). The bar counter did sport a couple of lovely old brass handpumps with, most appropriately, ceramic handles featuring hunting scenes. They are a great decorative feature, but would look much with clips on them and someone using them to pull me a pint of ale! There was no sign of any food. There’s a dartboard in one of the corners, with a shelfload of trophies above the playing area, and that old pub favourite the karaoke night is also advertised. Inside it’s carpeted, and seating is mainly banquettes and normal tables and chairs. The wrought iron gantry above the bar is a bit of a throwback to the 70s – as is the pub as a whole. In fact the old black and white film playing on the TV did not seem out of place. This is the sort of backstreet pub that is getting rarer by the day. It’s a treat to see one like this still apparently a going concern without going down the gastro path. I’m glad it’s still here for the locals to enjoy, although without the prospect of a real ale I doubt whether I’ll be paying a return visit.