The Whitesmiths Arms, Borough, SE1

This was the last pub I needed to knock off all the SE1's. I found it to be charming and so old fashioned and all the better for it. Popped in again a week later and the landlady asked how I was and that it was nice to see me again! Can't say you get that too often these days. Lovely place.

Called here for purposes of pure research and I was to be honest astonished. I didn't think pubs like this existed in central London any more. I can only agree with RR: it's an traditional boozer, full of traditional boozers, of the sort I cut my drinking teeth in 35 years ago. Almost every pub was like this then, and I'd forgotten how much I miss them. But like RR I don't miss the lack of real ale choice, it was Pride or Pride when we called.

This is an unpretentious backstreet boozer of the type that I really like. Furniture consists entirely of stools and banquette seating with normal, and clean, uncluttered tables. There were three handpumps on the bar – one with a clip turned round; one apparently not in use; and the other dispensing Courage Best. There really is nothing special about this pub, which in some perverse way is what makes it exceptional. With a couple of really decent ales this would be an absolute winner for anyone who appreciates the traditional boozer, but lack of beer choice is a great disincentive to visit in my book.