The Prince George, Thornton Heath

This pub doesn't seem to have improved much since the previous reviewer's visit. This is a basic locals' boozer, occupying a wedge-shaped corner site. The two rooms are joined (or separated, depending on your point of view), by an archway at the sharp end of the building. There is a clutch of cheap armchairs as you enter the main room on the left, but the rest of the furnishings along the side by the window are all normal tables and chairs. That's about it - there's no decor to speak of unless you count the chalkboard with some guff about the "beer prayer", or the rack on the wall containing lottery slips. There had obviously been some posters, or notices of some kind, on that wall as evidenced by the splotches of blue tac on it. I did see free wi-fi advertised though. There was just one handpump, with a Doom Bar clip reversed. There weren't any menus around, but there was a clear plastic container on the bar with buns or suchlike in it. There are TVs and one-armed bandits of course. This is a simple boozer. It's a shame that the interior doesn't match up to the classic old Truman's exterior.

This very basic high street boozer in the middle of Thornton Heath has surely seen better days. The two room interior has battered wooden flooring, red walls and a row of regulars propping up the bar, betting slips in hand as they nip between pub and bookies. The main front room has a row of standard tables and chairs under the windows, with a slightly raised area to the right set up for live music, which is advertised throughout the pub. A simple fireplace on the left hand wall has a very large mirror above it, with the pub’s name etched into it although this was sadly obscured by a TV screen and various posters that had been stuck on it. The second room to the rear is even more basic and has another TV screen and a dartboard. Loud pop music played throughout my Friday afternoon visit which seemed a bit out of place. No real ale available, despite the presence of one hand pump. They did have Greene King IPA Chilled on tap, but I opted for a half of Guinness which was average at best. Food is served, although I’m not sure I’d fancy trying any. Posters advertised a lunchtime deal of a toasted sandwich and a pint for £4.50. There is very little to recommend about this place. It has a drab and tired interior and no decent beer, but it did have more locals in than any of the nearby pubs I visited that afternoon, so perhaps it has a hidden appeal that I’m not seeing.