The George, E14

This is a mid-19th century pub, rebuilt in 1932 for Watney Combe Reid; one of their increasingly rare roundels and a lantern still cling to the façade of a pub which features on CAMRA’s list of pubs with interiors of historic importance, this being of Special National Historic Interest; photos and a description can be seen on their website. Décor took the form of prints from yesteryear, with basic dining offered to the rear, beyond which is a garden; silent sport played inconspicuously and a good soundtrack played over the gramophone. Customers tended to be younger local types, not yuppie incomers, who can be found at the Gun up the road. The cask choice was a mélange of Pride, Doom and two brewed anonymously for the pub: George’s Island Amber and George’s Island Pale Ale at a reasonable £2.75 a half, but a dull, bland drink, served by a clueless but friendly barman. This place is worth a look for the interior and probably makes for a decent day out as part of a crawl of the ‘Island’, but the ale choice and quality maketh not for an incentive to stay.

Official site of The George - www.pubanddining.co.uk

Official site of The George - www.pubanddining.co.uk

Not as old as the 1864 signage outside suggests, having been rebuilt during the 1930s in a rather austere brick style (thankfully now enlivened by hanging baskets and some contrasting paintwork). However, the interior of this former Watney Combe Reid house is a rare survivor, retaining what looks like the original off-sales counter as the compact Ma's parlour between the two traditional bars. The comfortable lounge, with its attractive wood panelling and old black & white photographs of the nearby docks in their heyday, has a darts area to one side. One modern touch can be found in the completely separate public bar which has been extended with a conservatory, and a decent-looking patio beer garden lies beyond. You wouldn't necessarily expect any real ale in an ex-industrial location such as this, but Pride (£3.70), Doom Bar and Landlord were available from a large number of handpumps distributed between the three counters, and Youngs Ordinary temporarily off. Perhaps I visited at a particularly auspicious time, but I found the atmosphere early on Christmas Eve afternoon as enjoyable as almost any pub I've been to on a first visit; very much a local, but doing a roaring trade with just the sort of good-natured banter you might expect, and a friendly welcome given to all. Well worth seeking out.