Cleveland Arms, Paddington, W2

I paid my first visit to this pub for several years, and have to agree with previous reviewers concerning the changes that have been made. It's no longer the traditional pub it once was, having been subjected to a typically modern makeover. But it was doing a very brisk trade on the Wednesday evening that I visited. They had Timothy Taylor Landlord on, and the Plateau went off as soon as I arrived to be replaced immediately by Tiny Rebel Smoked Stout, and at £4 a pint not excessive for a 5% ale in this part of the world. It's no longer the backstreet gem it once was, but it's still worth a punt (or even a pint) if you're nearby.

I'd never heard of this pub until it was named West London CAMRA's Joint Pub of the Year 2014, sharing the award with the excellent Harp in Covent Garden. Passing through the area recently, I decided to pop in to check the place out. Unfortunately, what I had failed to realise was that the award had been presented on 23rd April 2014 which was the long-serving landlord's final night at the pub. I obviously don't know what this place was like under his stewardship, but the current incarnation did very little for me. On approach, the pub looks like a typical traditional mid-terrace boozer with two front entrances leading you past pavement seating and bright hanging baskets, into a single, opened out room. The servery runs down the right hand wall with a basic dark wood counter and bar back and a selection of pastries and other breakfast type goodies piled up at one end. The room is bare boarded and offers pew and low stool seating around the perimeter and high tables and stools in the centre, directly opposite the bar. The walls are painted almost entirely in white and have a number of plain mirrors which add absolutely no character to the place whatsoever. The room extends to the rear left, past a table with a large floral display on it - possibly the only splash of colour in the whole pub - before opening out into an extremely bare area with a mix of seating options. The pub is lit with low wattage bulbs hung from exposed wires and each table had a lit candle, but they were fighting a losing battle to try and make the place feel even remotely warm or cosy. A TV above the front porch was turned off in favour of a selection of Rolling Stones tracks that brightened my mood slightly, as did the sight of an old Lancaster Gate tube sign on the staircase leading down to the toilets. Three handpulls were dispensing Taylor Landlord, Greene King IPA and Burning Sky Plateau, with the latter clocking in at a remarkable £4.90 for a pint and not exactly being in great shape. A craft keg range included brews from the likes of Magic Rock and Mikkeller, although I dread to think how much they might cost. A blackboard next to the servery listed expensive bar snacks and sandwiches. This was a massive disappointment, especially given the praise meted out in the reviews below and the esteem the pub was held in by the local CAMRA branch. There really was very little positive I could take from this visit other than the prospect that it might just be 'early days' and that things may improve, although with such an extortionate pricing policy, I'm reluctant to give it a second chance.

Traditional pub, both inside and out, with an old-fashioned side arch on the right-hand side. Lots of memorabilia in the 'L'-shaped layout which extends back to incorporate a small dining room. Value food priced at £4.90 or less for mains, and curry plus pint at £5.25 on Wednesdays. Nuts and nibbles on the tables. Friendly and efficient staff. Reasonable selection of beer from the five handpumps: with Old Hooky, Harveys, and Adnams Gun Hill (£3.00) available in addition to Greene King IPA and TT Landlord. Overall, well worth seeking out if looking for a civilised pint just a few minutes walk from Paddington station. (NB - Review dates from March 2012.)

Randomness Guide to London - Cleveland Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Cleveland Arms entry

They had White Horse Village Idiot; GKIPA; and Harvey's Best on. Unfortunately the White Horse went off as I arrived, but the Harvey's was OK, at a competitive £2.70 a pint. The most unusual thing about this pub is the large stuffed boar's head complete with sunglasses mounted on the wall above the bar back – that's a first for me. The pub itself was clean and comfortable, although some of the furniture had seen better days. The furniture comprises mainly normal tables and chairs with some banquette seating beneath the window. There's a smallish, carpeted, room at the back with a pool table in the middle, with a handful of tables and chairs dotted round the sides. I'm not sure about the free peanuts in little bowls on the tables – I managed to resist the temptation. This place displays the right balance between seediness and comfort, coupled with a couple of decent ales, that I like in a pub. Don't come here looking for a sophisticated gastro-pub. Any thought that this might be one is swiftly dispelled by the sight of the two microwave ovens sitting on the end of the bar, with a few rolls on one of them in the traditional covered plastic container. Classic. I really like it.