The County Arms, Highams Park, E4

Visited 09/03/26 Cask here was GK IPA and Abbot with one unclipped handpump. Keg was Guinness, original and dark fruits SB, Peroni, Madri, Level Head, Moretti, San Miguel, Coors, Carlsberg, Fosters and John Smiths. U shaped GK corner venue with the bar counter following the inside shape of the venue. Left-hand side of the bar counter was carpeted in the rear with regular tables and chairs and a big screen showing cycling absent commentary above the fire grate. There was a large leather semi-circular booth table by the entrance on that side, which is bare boarded and then along the front of the bar counter. Some tall tables in front of the bar counter with a fabric banquette serving regular tables to the right of the entrance and along the front to the other fire grate which this time hosts a TV above showing recorded weekend footy action. The fabric banquette continues the other side of the fire grate to the other entrance door, which several large fruit machines were standing guard over. The right-hand side of the bar counter was initially carpeted and had a few tall tables served by tall stools and a leather padded banquette. The rear part of this side housed a couple of pool tables and a darting area on modern bare boards with a drinking ledge around the far perimeter served by tall stools. The large TV screens in here were showing the cycling as with all the TVs absent commentary, the sound dominated by the animated darters well above the barely audible music soundtrack. Generally functional venue more geared towards live sport watching than beer.

Facebook page of The County Arms - www.facebook.com

Official site of The County Arms - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Facebook page of The County Arms - www.facebook.com

Official site of The County Arms - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

This was originally a Truman's House but is now a John Barras pub. Inside it's wooden floors and beams with two rooms away from the main bar area on each side. There were three beers on Marston's EPA, London Pride and Spitfire, hardly an inspiring choice. I tried the Spitfire (£3.08) which was passable but too warm. The whole place on my late afternoon visit seemed to be dominated by TV screens and lager-swilling builders. I can think of no reason to ever return here.