The Orange Tree, Winchmore Hill, N21

Visited 23/06/25 Cask was the GK offerings of Yardbird Pale Ale and bog-standard IPA from four hand pumps, the other two hand clips turned around. Keg offering was Guinness, Carlsberg, Fosters, Stella, original SB, Madri. I suspect this place is a mere glimmer of its former real ale glories, witness the stellar range of pump clips on the uprights of the bar counter. Saying that I tried both cask ales and both were about as good as they possibly could be. It is a U-shaped venue with the bar counter following the shape of the interior, with a boarded front and tall unbacked stools at the front of the bar counter. The venue is carpeted throughout; there are lace curtains in the windows and a total mish mash of tables and chairs including some ancient what looks like hotel conference facility chairs over in the front left-hand corner! The walls are wood panelled a la the front of the bar counter and there is a fire grate on the left-hand wall that is unclear if still in use in appropriate parts of the year. Lots of nicknacks around the walls and TV's were showing Tipping Point on my visit. How I wish I had made it here in its GBG heyday. Even outside that this was still my favourite venue in N21. By the time I got round to adding my review it had already closed a couple of months ago.

So the final day for the Orange Tree has arrived. We all knew it was coming but it just came sooner rather than later as long term landlord and lady John and Marie announced their retirement after 34 years at the helm. The final quiz night was a night to remember. Thanks Orange Tree for all the memories

This is a large traditional side street pub, with a broad U-shaped interior layout, opened up from what would once have been a multiple room set-up. Corner doors at either end of the now, main bar area, lead into a spacious carpeted room with a nice tongue and groove panelled counter with pleasing curved ends and a high mirrored bar back. Each end of the bar retains a section of the original gantry, now liberally decorated with pump clips, whilst the bar back is topped with a great Toby jug collection, horse brasses, an old Littlewoods FA Cup champagne bottle and various bits of Arsenal memorabilia. Long banquettes span the length of the front wall, under net curtained windows with dusty old ornaments and lamp's on their sills. Tables and low stools stand over to the right, under a huge pull-down screen showing live football with the sound on, whilst a smaller screen next to it showed coverage of the Ryder Cup. The room runs back a fair way on this side, into a compact seating area with comfy options in a partly wood panelled space decorated with brewery and distillery mirrors, traditional paintings and various porcelain items. Meanwhile, over to the left, high tables and stools encircle a brick fireplace with nice wood surround packed with a mix of vases and clocks. There is a dartboard to one side and also another TV screen showing the same football match. Through to the rear on this side is a separate games room, dominated by a centrally positioned pool table, with chairs stacked up in one corner. There is a lot more porcelain in this room, plus cigarette card collections and various mirrors. The door to the Gents doubles up as access to a pleasant, tree-lined beer garden. There was a choice of three ales here - St Austell Proper Job, Greene King IPA and an Orange Tree house beer of unknown provenance - with the fourth pump unused. The Proper Job set me back £4.20 and was very tasty, served to me by a friendly barmaid. Despite the attraction of one of the biggest fixtures of the season, the pub was almost empty, which was a real shame, as I can imagine a good, lively evening in here with a decent crowd. This is another excellent, relatively unspoiled local's boozer in this neighbourhood. I though the interior, with its somewhat unfashionable decor and traditional furnishings created an evocative, nostalgic environment which was easy to settle down into and enjoy some of the well kept beer. The ale range may put some off enjoying an extended visit, but the quality was high enough to warrant more than the quick pint I was able to afford it. A good bet in this part of town if you're after a proper old fashioned boozer.