Marquis Cornwallis, Bloomsbury, WC1

It's been over 13 years since I was last in this pub. I'm fairly certain it was called the Goose last time I was here. It sold fairly cheap bar with a similar model to the Wetherspoon's chain. These days, it is much more upmarket and designed for a more monied clientele. The large, single room feels a bit cluttered with tables seemingly taking every inch of space. Even though there were spare tables, it seemed a real challenge to access them. Real ale is limited to Doom Bar. Although one of the other handpulls was clipped with Weston's Family Reserve, which suited me fine.

One of those pubs which takes on a new identity every few years. Currently trying to be a slightly trendy place, with a dark grey colour scheme, some areas of distressed wood and a bit of brickwork for luck. Two high ceilinged rooms show some original pub features underneath, but with the main bar room mainly equipped with high tables and lower tables in the next door room aimed more at diners. A couple of Meantime lager tanks stand between and an upstairs 'Drawing Room' bar was not visited. Draught ales were Landlord, Doom Bar, Dark Star Partridge and a special from Brew York, with a 5th pump reversed. Fair enough but wouldn't go out of my way.

A bit understated but decent enough place with several real ales to be had. Toilets upstairs - must be looking at Wetherspoons!

As described below a mixed style interior. 6 real ales, meantime served from a tank and food served.

I'd not been here before so it was a surprise just how big this place is, especially when climb the rather grand stair to the large upstairs separate bar. It's a mix of traditional and modern with some industrial lighting, a tiled bar apron, some high tables and chairs and a granite bar top. Ales: Britannia's Navigation, Sharp's Doom Bar, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Thwaites' Wainwright at £4.55 a pint and decent enough. I'd come here again, but it's a bit corporate and soulless. I'd make the 5-minute walk to The Lamb and Perseverance.