Windsor Castle, Marylebone, W1

This is one of those pubs that has taken the collection of bric-a-brac to extremes, with all manner of assorted items occupying every available space. Maldenman’s review below goes into more depth in this respect. This is a comfortable pub with mainly banquette seating, comprising essentially two inter-connected rooms. Something I hadn’t seen before (at least not to the same degree) was the very many little brass plaques on the front of the bar counter, no doubt commemorating previous regulars that had passed on to that great pub in the sky. Quite a nice touch I thought. I did have a Thai meal there, and thought that £8.10 (plus tip) for a pretty basic chicken stir fry plus some plain rice was a bit expensive. I’ve had better Thai food in other pubs in the general area (e.g. Duke of Kendal) for a couple of quid cheaper. But let’s not go all foody – this is a cracking little pub, the pint of Adnam’s I had was excellent, and I would be happy to visit again.

One of those quirky pubs with all sorts of seemingly random paraphenalia to look at; there are however some themes, notably a Royal one with pictures of various royal family members through the years, some pub tables are marked with the various families, eg Stuarts, Tudors. The Royal crest stands above a mirror. Over the bar are numerous photos mainly of 1970's TV actors and names, there is also a hint of a military theme with a number of pictures and an aircraft propeller mounted on the ceiling adjacent to a youthful Prince Charles in uniform. The front windows are full of shelves of cups, toby jugs, plates etc, while a Union Jack and Stars and Stripes flag flank either side of the entrance. The central dark wood island bar has brass plates fixed to the counter presumably in memory of former regulars. Upholstered banquette seating, carpeted. Details of the Cato Street conspiracy are displayed (Cato St is opposite). Beers choice was unremarkable in Youngs Bitter, Adnams Bitter, Wadworths 6X and Bombardier. I had the Adnams which was ok on the day. Thai food is served and seems popular.