The Princess of Wales, Clapton, E5

This is Young’s pub set right beside the River Lea Navigation. The most unusual thing about this Young’s pub is that it didn’t have any Young’s ales on, at least when I visited on Wednesday afternoon. That’s a first for me. But they did have on Sambrook’s Wandle, Truman’s Swift, and Redemption Big Chief (£2.05 a half) – a stonking 5.5% hoppy IPA. Food is available at normal dining times, and there are single sheet menus on all the tables, with top of the list being “flat iron steak, tripled dipped chips, tomato and mushroom”. Probably steak & chips with added adjectives. This pub makes the best of its major asset, its location. There is some bench seating outside along the towpath as well as to the rear of the pub away from the road. Being a Young’s pub it’s been modernised to a large extent, with the walls painted a light grey pastel shade, the floor being modern replacement boarding apart from a bit of carpeting along one side. The bar counter looks an original bit of kit though. As you move along the bar counter to the left you go through an archway into an area where all tables are laid for diners. There’s some of the library bookshelf style of wallpaper back here which I guess is intended to add a degree of gentrification. This pub’s a bit corporate (staff in black shirts) but it clearly serves a valuable function in providing thirsty walkers, cyclists and narrow boat enthusiasts travelling the waterway with somewhere to slake their thirst. It doesn’t look like the sort of place that many would choose as their local. I remember this pub from the 70s, and I’m really glad it’s still here, although it’s much more “gentrified” than the pub I remember.

The Princess of Wales official site - princessofwalesclapton.co.uk

The Princess of Wales official site - princessofwalesclapton.co.uk

The Princess is situated on the busy Lea Bridge Rd but at the junction with the Lea Navigation which allows for pleasant views from the outdoor seating area and conservatory style extension to the lounge bar. The pub still has the original two bar format, with a traditional lino floored public bar which has a pool table and dartboard. The larger lounge bar is comfortable, carpeted with some wood panelling and red coloured walls, there is plenty of seating in here including some tables set for eating along the windows overlooking the canal. There are a further two dartboards in this room, one at the far end having a number of trophies displayed adjacent, suggesting that the pub hosts a successful team. There are a couple of TVs with surround sound speakers which were showing horse racing. The decor includes a large array of sporting paraphernalia, covering football, cricket, motor racing and an impressive assortments of Olympic souvenirs including framed collections from various Olympiads. I also noticed a framed Leyton Orient shirt and a signed photograph of the infamous Maradona "Hand of God" goal. The beers are from Youngs standard range, Bitter, Special, Waggledance and Bombardier being on. I had a pint of the Ordinary Bitter which was as fine a pint of that beer as I've had (£2.90). I didn't spot any food menus and no one was eating, although it was around 4pm when I dropped in. I liked this pub a great deal, it has a traditional feel, a genuine welcome and the beer was first rate.

Randomness Guide to London - Princess Of Wales entry

Randomness Guide to London - Princess Of Wales entry