The Flying Horse, Fitzrovia, W1

Another of London’s Nicholsons houses, this one located in close proximity to Tottenham Court Road tube. This one had five handpulls on the go (Pride, Adnams Ghost, Doom Bar, Hobgoblin and a turned Cropton clip on my visit; my Doom was fairly good and came in a pint pot). Like many-a-Nicholsons there’s a nice interior, though the layout is basically a small narrow room lacking seating. Look upwards and there’s an interesting ceiling and lower down the wall décor (wood and tiled) with some old paintings behind glass panels is very pretty. Noticed a working dumb waiter for food orders, which I always think is a nice touch. Clientele were quite touristy (unsurprising, as this is now the only pub on Oxford Street). The woman behind the bar (who I took to be the manageress) was quite switched-on which is a good sign, she wasn’t taking any gyp but in a good-natured way. Maybe things have moved on here since Roger’s review in 2008. I’d say it’s worth calling in for a pint to take in the visuals on a quiet afternoon based on this visit.

Randomness Guide to London - Tottenham entry

Randomness Guide to London - Tottenham entry

Definitely worth popping in here before disappearing down the tube to head home. Splendid interior as covered very well in the reviews below, and a Nicholsons house with up to six ales on the go. And I can’t better Rex’s description of these being the usual suspects (Pride, Doombar and Landlord) and then a couple of guests. Unfortunately there was only one guest left on by the time I got there late evening, but it was Jaipur IPA, so all was well..

This is a well kept Victorian boozer on Oxford Street that is run by Nicholson’s. I counted six ales alongside a decent selection of premium lagers and standard draught from which I enjoyed a nice pint of Guinness. I didn’t find the staff to be that accommodating, but that may have just been the language barrier. There is a plasma screen which was turned off and I spotted no advertisements for any sport, which was no surprise. There is a bar and restaurant upstairs which I didn't visit, maybe I'll have a look next time I'm passing.

This pub has been closed for a while it seems [Admin edit: Marked as closed 8/2/2010]

It’s worth dropping into this pub for a butcher’s at the superb original Victorian features, if you like that sort of thing. They really are something special. In particular, there is artwork by Felix de Jong; tiling by Millington, Windsor & Co; and back-painted mirrors by Jones & Finch, a process that was new back in 1892. There had been a pub on this site in the 19th Century called the Flying Horse, but it was bought by the Baker brothers, then rebuilt (incorporating a tobacconists) in 1892 and renamed The Tottenham. There were about five ales on, but for some reason I failed to make a note of them. As I recall three were the usual suspects and a couple were less frequently seen what I would regard as “guest” ales. It was surprisingly quiet in there at around 1400 on a Wednesday afternoon. Only a dozen or so punters presumably seeking refuge from the hell of Oxford St. It is now the only pub in Oxford St, and is definitely worth dropping in to, if you can get to the Tottenham Ct Rd end unscathed.

Underrated street corner pub,probably better known as the only pub on Oxford Street. It is part of the Nicholson's chain. Splendid original interior, large stained glass oriel rooflight at the rear, Rubenesque ceiling murals, ornate tiled ceiling frieze/cornice, and large carved wood framed mirrors along the side wall. Wood flooring, the lengthy bar is along the side wall of this deep narrow room. Six handpumps, five on when I visited in January. Thwaites Nutty Black, Caledonian Auld Acquaintance, Sharps Doom Bar, TT Landlord and Pride. Yes, due to its location, it gets a bit rammed with tourists, and the clientele are mostly transient but the service was still good, and it was pleasing to see the barman taking the time to describe the beer types to a group of tourists who had ducked in out of the snow.

Official pages of The Tottenham, contains menus, wine and real ale lists - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk