Britannia Tap, Kensington, W14

This is a Young’s pub, with St Austell Tribute, Young’s Special, and Bitter (£1.70 a half) on. I didn’t see any menus or any sign of food. This pub once laid claim to be London’s smallest pub (and not the only one to make that claim), and although it was enlarged in the 60s it is still quite small. A handful of tables and chairs, a bit of upholstered bench seating, and that’s just about it as far as the furnishings go. Entertainment seems to be limited to a dartboard, although there was some music being played during my visit – sounded like Nat King Cole. Everything about this pub is a bit of a throwback (and that’s not a criticism) – when the barmaid pulled my beer she then referred to a list on the wall to quote me the price; it seems pre-programmed electronic cash registers have yet to be installed here. Typically for this pub, the courtyard garden at the back is predictably tiny. There’s a bit of cut glass in one of the screens, but otherwise nothing to shout about, other than that it is a small friendly pub and a delightful little unpretentious place in which to while away a quiet hour or two. I can see me returning.

Curious sort of place, probably suffering a bit from the only other pub in the area following the Radnor Arms closure - the Warwick Arms - being almost next door. More down to earth than its near neighbour, it offers three real ales from the Youngs/Charles Wells stable, with excellent Bombardier at a reasonable (for the area) £3.00 per pint. Good, if loud, jukebox. Small patio beer garden out back.

Small and very narrow pub selling Youngs/Wells beers. Very small rear garden. Does Thai food