Railway Bell, South Woodford, E18

Visited 28/01/26 Cask comprised six handpumps, all seemingly operational and dispensing GK IPA x3 and Abbot x3 in an “every other” configuration. The IPA from the fourth pump from the left was perfectly quaffable (or at least as appetising as it ever is)! Keg offering was Inch’s, Guinness, John Smiths, Madri, Fosters, Siren Lumina, Estrella Galicia (and the AF version), Clwb Tropica, Cruz, Peroni, Hazy Day, Level Head, Amstel, Paulaner and Verdant Sundialler to add a decent crafty option. L shaped venue on the corner opposite South Woodford station. Bare boarded with a few tiled sections. Bar counter followed the internal shape of the venue. Regular and tall tables around the perimeter with some larger benches in the middle part opposite the further end of the bar counter. There was a decent darting area to the right of the entrance in the rear corner. Low lighting, non-descript pop soundtrack and at least half a dozen larger screens around the perimeter showing the build-up to the evenings Champions League action on my visit. A few gaming machines, some pink and red neon signs on the walls and the feeling of a decent station local (if only it wasn’t a GK house and had more interesting beers)! There is a large outside seating area at the back, paved with picnic style seating options. Very heavily promoting upcoming live sport and a decent early evening crowd in on my visit but not too many options immediately around here.

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.