Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

The pub was established around 1750 with this replacement constructed in about 1900, a commanding building in a none-too-inviting area, overlooking what in effect is a dual carriageway in part of a much-altered area, little for the better.
This was a bit of a scruffy place at the start of the decade with flyers in the windows. 'twas here that in 2014 that the One Mile End brewery, named after the pub's address, was established beneath the pub though has now moved to Tottenham; the pub was refurbished into what it is today. There are large plain glass picture windows with some vestigial etched glasswork to the entrances, hinting at what may once have been. The floor is modern pale wood with the overall colour scheme in pale grey, with a white ceiling sporting egg and dart cornicing with field panelling - it wouldn't look out of place in a grand house. Furniture is mainly large, scrubbed pine tables, some tables fashioned from old sewing machine treadles. Chairs are conventional and there's an orange suede banquette to the southern wall. The bar back is modern as is the pale pine bar. There are three cast iron structural columns with Corinthian capitals painted gold, though the shafts have been painted with weird fern fronds in varying blue hues. Lighting comes from chandeliers and sconce lights with five metal shaded lamps hanging over the bar - the interior looked more appealing a good three years ago, judging from the images on Google. There is though a fine Truman Hanbury Buxton mirror to the rear, advertising their imperial stout; this was probably once a Truman's house. There's little in the way of décor apart from some framed One Mile End posters and old cast iron street signs, with additional entertainment coming from a stereo which was a bit loud, certainly with the bass turned up to the point where with one speaker behind me, it was making my neck ache; there's further entertainment in the form of a quiz which takes place upstairs and oddly on a Thursday. Customers were a mixed bunch and there was a good ambience in here, a bit like being in a pub during normal times. It was noted that the lavs were modern with two cubicles.
Staff were friendly and helpful, dishing up just three ales with one strangely coming from the East London Brewery, Foundation bitter at a very reasonable £4.50 and very good it was too; a manly pint indeed. The two other ales were One Mile End's Juicy New England IPA and Boom Boom.
This is on balance a good pub. It's a shame that the interior has undergone so much alteration, but it makes for a very good stop if in the area.

The enthusiasm reflected in the reviews below remains well deserved. Only had a brief eyeball of the many pumps as we whistled through the bar to find some socially distanced seating in the modern lounge beyond, and settled on Hobson's Best, which was spot on and cheerfully served.

This pub is a GBG regular and has been in the same family for 50 years, and, judging be the turnout on a dreary midweek afternoon, is deservedly popular.

Worth a trip out especially if you can get someone else to drive.

The layout is well described below, though sadly it seems to have changed somewhat since the last review. It is feeling decidedly battered and shabby, and the outside is littered with pile of sodden fag-ends, all of which makes it feel a bit depressing. On the plus side, though there is now a pool table in the area with the dartboard. The landlady was welcoming and friendly, and it feels like the sort of place that would make a good local in better times. The only food available was hot sausage rolls or filled rolls made to order, but there was no real ale on draft. The best they had was a choice of bottled beers – Directors, Doombar and Old Speckled Hen were the choices. It’s a convenient place to stop if heading South out of Bristol, although parking might be an issue

New Micro bar on Wood Street and although the bar was closed on my visit i could see through the window 3 Cask pumps and 2 or 3 beer taps

This Wetherspoon branch has a dark interior, with a number of different sections. We were here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. Many others were doing the same. The real ale choice was very poor for this chain. They had their two regular beers - Greene King Abbot & Ruddles Best, in addition to a single guest beer - Maxim Lambtons. The real cider was Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon. As usual, table service was slow. You can only use CAMRA vouchers if you can get somebody to take your order. The only way we could do this without walking around and seeking somebody out was to order another drink from their app and wait for somebody to come to us. I'd certainly recommend doing this to save you some time if there are other drinks that can be ordered on the app.

Unfortunately, despite this being a well below par Wetherspoon, it's seemingly the best Houghton-le-Spring has to offer.