Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

The Abandon Ship is situated right next to the Bird and Bear

We were intending to investigate the allegedly open Fitzgerald but that clearly conked out some time ago. No matter, the allegedly conked out Royal Oak was showing signs of life. The local Camra branch clearly doesn't get out much. Anyway, it's under new management and has been smartened up nicely.

Pride and Wherry on the pumps, attractively, if ineptly served: I didn't have the heart to fuss about short measure. And the Wherry was in decent form. So yeah, not bad as a local, but a more ambitious beer choice would be nice.

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September 2020 notes

Looks like it's been allowed to go to seed since Gill visited. Piles of old tat around outside and untended garden - the overgrown shrubs in the borders suggest it was lovely once - didn't inspire confidence, nor did the partially erected tent - the frame was there but not the canvas. Then a filthy dirty smokers shed. Inside was OKish, and the cheerfully served Towcester Mill Mill Race was a nice drink.

Covid regs present and correct, but the overall scruffiness didn't make a return visit likely.

Update May 2022
This pub has been picking up some adverse comments on this site, so as the conclusion of a gentle saunter round The Borough on a sunny mid May Saturday we decided to revisit(in my case for the first time since 2019.) Perhaps owing to some football match, it wasn'nt too busy, the beer, an IPA and Stout from Navigation in good order,partnered by Red Top from Old Dairy. I have to mention that my compadre's red wine was poor, but heigh ho.Yes, I still rate this pub.

Original entry from December 2011:

A small, one roomed pub in the trendy Borough Market, its footprint doubled by the heated decked patio “outside” in the Market. Attracting a young clientele, I was about twenty years older than most on an early Saturday evening in late November.
Primarily a show case for a firm of beer wholesalers in the Market, the Rake is a sister pub to the new Tap East , over at Stratford’s Westfield shopping centre. Three handpumps dispense a constantly changing array of eclectic cask beers, together with “Craft Keg” and a large assortment of specialist bottled beers. Dark Star seems to be a favoured supplier, and a glass of Winter Meltdown proved a fine conclusion to a rigorous day’s beer tourism and reminiscence.

This pub seems a bit less frenetic than the Market Porter, and much less impersonal than Brew Wharf across the way, and is handily placed when I need to wait for a train at London Bridge.

An absolutely gorgeous old village inn, both inside and out, with masses of beams and ancient features. Having said that, as is fairly typical for the Upham Inn group it has been rather tarted up and it feels just a little too tasteful and clean. The rambling layout includes several odd corners and, although much is laid for dining, there are is still plenty of space for drinkers. There is a garden at the rear. Ales on were Hophead and Langham Session Ale.

Opposite Wetherspoons in a concrete block and appears to cater for those for whom ‘spoons is a bit too posh and pricey. Very popular and serving a wide range of the nation’s favourite kegs and some bottles of favourite beers. Snacks, rolls and spirits can also be had. Only small and roughly triangular it still has eight screens dotted about. Decor is largely St George’s or Union flags.