Railway Bell, South Woodford, E18

I remember coming here years ago when it was a pretty grotty Courage pub. Greene King have now taken it over from Spirit although I didn't spot any external GK branding. It's nothing like I remembered it either from the outside or internally. It's a large roughly square room made into an L shape by the bar counter. Most of it has a wooden floor and taller tables and benches although there is some lower seating to the right and rear. There are at least two TVs one of which was rather obtrusive and both showing a cricket match that nobody was watching. There was a large group of shouty blokes in the middle of the room who were probably being so noisy as it was the week before Xmas. I didn't notice any pool, bar billiards or darts. There are now six hand pumps all of which were clipped and had GK IPA, Abbot, Abbot Reserve, Rocking Rudolph, London Glory and Theakstons Old Peculier. I went for the Old Peculier (£3.65) which was in good nick. This place was a lot better than I expected it to be. If they got a Locale beer or two in and turned off the TVs it could be quite good.

Official site of Railway Bell - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of Railway Bell - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

This is a decent enough place for a station pub and the Guinness I had was well served. There are two hand pumps, one of which was serving up Pride and the other was unused during my visit. There is a pool table and a dartboard along with some plasma screens and Sky Sports. There is also a paved beer garden out the back with some covered seating. I wouldn't make an effort to return here, but it would relieve some of the anger if the tube was screwed and I had to wait around for a while.