The Boleyn Tavern, E6

This is a truly spectacular, restored Victorian street corner boozer with an opulent multiple room layout that rewards multiple visits. The pub is laid out around a huge central servery, with partitioning screens used to block off or divide the perimeter into numerous separate spaces. The bar has a dark wood counter with rounded corners and a brass foot rail, a grand bar back with spectacular high arches decorated with detailled woodwork features, a pub name plate, decorative pillars and an integral clock. The pub is bare boarded throughout, with large windows along two sides, each with etched glass privacy panes in a row along the bottom. Banquette and hard bench seating has been provided through three small seating areas down one side and in another space at the front, the former partitioned by full height screens with more etched glasswork and folding doors, the latter through a large opening flanked by huge, heavy drapes. A door to the rear leads into a porch space with some amazing etched glass and glazed tile features, from where you can access the other side of the pub, first emerging into the largest space to the rear right, which has plenty of comfy seating options and a huge map of the world on the side wall. To the rear is a dining room which is the most spectacular space of all, incorporating a stunning skylight, decorative friezes and some fabulous seating booths, along with regular seating options and an open kitchen on the back wall. A corridor to the rear leads to the toilets and has been liberally decorated with photos taken at various West Ham games over the years, their old stadium having been just up the road from here before it's demolition. I spotted at least one TV screen, but it wasn't in use, with 90s indie tunes playing quite loudly instead. The fine interior thankfully comes with some decent beer, as three operational handpulls were dispensing Siren Memento, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Five Points Best and a cider from Seacider, whilst the keg taps had brews from the likes of Five Points, Beavertown and Siren among others. The bar staff were all very friendly and I suppose the only complaint would be that it was pretty dead on my midweek, early evening visit. This is a beautiful pub that is well worth travelling out to the pub desert in which it stands. I think I could come back here several more times and discover new features on each visit and with some well-kept ale and cheery service, that certainly wouldn't be a chore. The pub is a great asset to the local community and a must do for anyone with even a remote interest in historic pubs. Date of visit - 1st October 2024

An absolute gem,rightly given the highest CAMRA 3* award for heritage and a very fine example of an ornate Victorian pub.Beautifully lit on the outside,the interior is a series of rooms around an island bar each with outstanding features.Take a walk around and linger a while,the former billiards room at the rear with it's magnificent sky light is now an outstanding dining area with sumptious booths and probably the highlight.The vast world wall map in the drinking section of the rear is impressive as is the tiny snug in one corner.From the outside the apex door to the public bar opens into a L shaped room divided by etched glass wood panels with some fine drapes.Quinno's photos give you the idea.It's all very traditional. I liked the corridor which contains the loos,a shrine to West Ham United with some classic framed photos of their past glories and fine footballers. On my trip the four ale options were Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger and Late Red along with Five Points Best and Arbor Mosaic (NBSS 3.5). There is also a varied selection of craft keg taps in the public bar which increases drinking options. The welcome was friendly and such a relief to find decent ale in an area which has become a real ale desert.The soundtrack was not too loud and top quality. This is one pub you must visit before shuffling off this mortal coil.Full marks from me.

Inaugural visit, as I walked past not long before its closure for restoration thinking “I’ll save this one”. And I’m glad I did – it really is beautiful and a splendid job has been done inside, it is hard to know what is old and what is new – apparently cost a cool £1.5 million but that money has been well spent. I won’t go into a huge amount of textual detail – you can see the uploaded photos and previous reviews for that – suffice to say that it is a multi-roomer with dark wood and glass partitioning and a stunning rear area (was a billiards room) for dining with an ornate skylight, with nods to West Ham players of yore in each individual booth. There was also great quality cask beer, with pints of Sheps Masterbrew and Purity Gold both hitting an NBSS 4 and served-up by an enthusiastic young barman – so the selection and service has improved since Tris’ visit. The keg choices were also pretty good, so you can easily do session in here. The whole group enjoyed their visit and were reluctant to move on. Good Beer Guide listed for 23 and 24, rightly so.