The Bull, Wanstead, E11

This large pub is set in an impressive former bank premises, although the interior has sadly been stripped of its most interesting features. You enter via a large front patio garden, which was packed on a warm summer's evening, into the main bar area, with the servery directly opposite the front door. The bar has a tongue and groove panelled counter with a large 'Bull' mirror on the bar back and a beer board to one side along with snacks and dog treats, which I would hope are easy for the staff to distinguish between! The room is bare boarded and painted in a bland, two-tone colour scheme, with tables and chairs to the front, the left and at the rear right, where the pub runs a long way towards the rear. Meanwhile, the front right corner has high tables and stools and some Chesterfield sofas either side of a small fireplace with a portrait of Frida Kahlo above. A couple of big TV screens have been dotted about, one showing a Portugal Euro 2024 fixture which the Portuguese barmaid was enjoying. Decor is a mix of promotional blackboards and random paintings, but ultimately, most of the wall space has been left bare. A sign indicated that there is a function room upstairs, but this remained explored on this visit. Just the one cask ale was available on arrival - Redemption Revolver which was very clearly on the turn. A Sandford Orchard cider occupied another handpull and craft keg options included beers from Jubel, Lucky Saint, Hammerton and Goodness among others. I expected this place to be an impressive bank conversion, but there's very little to admire here aside from the exterior, which can be viewed from the admittedly pleasant front garden. Inside, the place has been given a thoughtless, bland makeover that has stripped out any character the place may once have had. The poor beer only compounds the problem and whilst it might be nice to enjoy a cold keg beer from the garden in summer, I didn't see enough to convince me a return was merited. Date of visit - 18th June 2024

Impressive building. Sorted of looked pubby, yet not pubby enough. Last review gives the detail of its past. Inside, its a typical looking London Gastropub. Low score for some terrible beer - both Cask and Keg. I started with a Redemption Urban Dusk which had a look that would have sent Fergal Sharkey into a fit. Bog water of the first degree. This was sent back and I hope that if Redemption are watching their untappd checkins, they consider carefully who they let sell their beer. Its enough to put you off a brewery for ever. This was changed for a Keg Helles. A Swiss 1936 Bierre. Maybe the swiss brew differently but I have never had a cloudy helles before.

Official site of Manor House - www.thebullwanstead.com

Official site of Manor House - www.thebullwanstead.com