The Tabard, W4

This is an elegant looking pub designed by Norman Shaw, and no doubt named after the famous (but now sadly demolished) Southwark coaching inn of the same name immortalised by Chaucer. In fact this pub dates from around the time the original was demolished. You enter the pub via a pillared and tiled entranceway; a door to the right takes you into an area with a tiny bar counter to the left which was probably a jug and bottle bar, and on into a room with a continuation of the bar counter on the left. I spent my visit in this room, which was simply furnished with wooden settles and normal tables and chairs. The walls in here are half-panelled, and with some rather nice original tiling on the higher parts. To the left of the entranceway is another room, and although I didn’t venture in here it appeared to be a nice enough room to spend some time in. There were five ales on handpump – Marston’s fast drop EPA; Sambrook’s Junction; Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted; Red Squirrel RSX; and a St Austell blond beer. This is now a Taylor Walker branded pub, and although I saw menus on some of the tables I didn’t bother to examine them. I’ve no doubt that they feature the usual pubco pub grub. I rather liked this pub. The guv’nor was enthusiastic about the rotating ale policy, and I have to say that the selection on my visit was very encouraging. I would be happy to pay a return visit.