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Poll for Lancaster crawl June /July 2026 with Bucking Fastard
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by David Walton
Submitted on Monday, 20th October 2025
With picture contributions to 1957 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (19 more images)
Detail Pages
The Marlborough Head, WC2
WC2
WC2B 5RR
Served areas
Reviews of The Marlborough Head (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about The Marlborough Head
Visited 20/10/25. Visited previously as the Lowlander on 14/10/19.
Cask amounted to the Cowcatcher APA from the East London Brewing Co and the Legacy Bitter from the Big Smoke Brewing Co. Keg was Brixton Reliance Pale Ale, Jubel Peach, Stone Wood Pacific Ale, Hepcat, Siren Lumina, Two Tribes Campfire, Moretti, Cruz, Asahi, Neck Oil, Inch's and Guinness.
Pleasant location, the old Lowlander Grand Cafe! The venue is bare boarded apart from a carpeted area to the right of the entrance. Bar counter is along let hand wall and there is a drinking ledge in the front window ahead of the bar counter with some tall stools. Leather banquette around the front right-hand corner , extending down the right-hand side into the rear of the venue with regular tables and chairs and tall tables with tall stools in the floor space in front of the entrance. There is a mezzanine seating area at the rear of the venue, and which was the busiest part on my late evening visit. A single screen was switched off, and a quite loud music soundtrack competed with the chatter in the venue. Walls painted red and lots of low handing lights creating a very pleasant ambiance in the venue on my visit.
On 4th April 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1585 recommendations about 1560 pubs]
Tris C left this review about The Marlborough Head
This place dates back to at least the early 19th century but must have been rebuilt in said century. It was previously called Lowlander due to it being home to beers from the Lowland Countries, i.e. Belgium and the Netherlands; it reopened this month, the original historic name reinstated.
The interior is bare boarded, the colour scheme overwhelmingly burgundy (see photo) with some unattractive exposed ductwork to the surprisingly high ceiling, with studded oxblood peripheral banquettes, tall conventional furniture at centre with a rear snug and attractive mezzanine above, both of which can be hired. Lighting comes from Victorian-style spun brass chandeliers, décor comprises knickknacks and period prints and customers were young, loud and touristy at the time of my 9.35pm visit last Tuesday, though largely drowned out by a good jazz funk soundtrack.
Aside from Eurofizz and pseudo craft, there were two cask options, one with a reversed ELB clip then their Foundation, fine and served by a cheery barman but at an absolutely extortionate £3.45 a half.
This place was better than expected in an area that is hardly replete with quality pubs, but the price dents the score (not to mention the Christmas decorations) and then there’s always the Salisbury, the Nell Gwynne and especially the excellent Harp when in WC2.
On 12th October 2025
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2324 recommendations about 2267 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Lowlander
Continental-style table-service café / bar with no real ale but plenty of interesting Belgian and Dutch beers from an impressive line of 15 craft keg taps (with a good bottled selection available too). Plenty of Low Countries breweriana around the high-ceilinged bar. Cluttered with tables, but there is also a small mezzanine area and a limited amount of pavement seating too. Nine regular beers and six more changing guests, including Triple d'Anvers (£5.45, half) and Kasteel Rouge (£5.35, half) plus a Lervik from further afield on this visit. So, very expensive, but worth a visit if you are in the area and looking for something a bit different.
On 20th August 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 9119 recommendations about 9119 pubs]
View more reviews of The Marlborough Head (7)
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- Official site of The Marlborough Head - www.urbanpubsandbars.com
- Facebook page of The Marlborough Head - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Marlborough Head - whatpub.com
City Thameslink, 0.97 miles, 18 min walk (show)
Farringdon (London), 1.03 miles, 19 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Car Park : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 29 June 2014 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes - Mezzanine or open snug. - last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 June 2014 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Karaoke : No last updated 29 June 2014 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 29 June 2014 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Quiz Night : No last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 17 June 2014 by Pub SignMan
- WiFi : Yes last updated 08 October 2025 by Tris C
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