Leather Bottle, Belvedere

This is quite a historic old building with parts allegedly daing back to to the mid-17th century. It has been a pub since at least the early 18th century although in recent years its existence it has been pulled from the brink of permanent closure on a couple of occasions. . Set high up with elevated views across London, the pub is a little off the beaten track but if you don’t mind the uphill trek from the station you will find that this is generally one of the better options in the area and it does have a certain degree of character. The interior is divided into a carpted main bar with beamed ceilings, a brick fireplace and mtley collection of nautical nick nacks including propeller blades, ship wheels, lanterns and a model boat housed over the bar that for some reason always has an unceremonius poster or notice obscuring it. A collection of water jugs dangle from the rafters and there are collections of old coasters and cigarette cards on the walls. The main bar also houses a dart board whilst there is a separate adjoining room with a pool table. The 2 ales available on my recent visit were both from Wychwood, Hobgoblin and Dirty Tackle, a better selection than my previous visits when a more mainstream selection was the norm. Quality was surprisingly good and prices pretty reasonable. The customers are a mixed bag that can be a bit charmless on first impressions but I have never encountered any bother here. The pub has had mixed fortunes but it is always a decent enough option and always worth stopping off, even if it’s just to prepare yourself for the remaining hike up the hill to the next pub.