Lyttelton Arms, NW1

Originally the Southampton Arms (the name is visible atop the gable), this pub was renamed in honour of the late Humphrey Lyttelton in 2010; half its frontage runs along Mornington Crescent which will mean nothing to anyone who isn't a devotee of Radio 4 comedy. Previously this was the Crescent but has been comprehensively made over, so is in no way one song to the tune of another. No sign of the Lovely Samantha, though there are four real ales on pump as well as Aspall's which is a plus point. This is certainly a step up from the average Camden Strip pub but to be honest it's a little bit too swanee-kazoo for me, though the loos are top notch - one wonders what Humph would have made of this...

Official site of the Lyttelton Arms, contains menu, drinks list and event details - www.thelytteltonarmscamden.co.uk

Official site of the Lyttelton Arms, contains menu, drinks list and event details - www.thelytteltonarmscamden.co.uk

This pub is on a busy corner opposite Mornington Crescent tube station making the limited outside seating very uncomfortable. Granted it's not the manager's fault where the pub is located, but I wouldn't want to sit out there. Pride and plenty of standard lager are available if you can get served. I had to wait a while and then when I had asked for my pint the barman was distracted and forgot that he was serving me and went onto someone else. There were 2 barmen and only 6 or 7 people at the bar. The 2 plasma screens showing Sky Sports news all day, loud music, illustrated women and old soaks all added to the disappointing experience. Until last Friday I'd not been in here since it was an Edwards and I'm in no hurry to return.

Pubs like this are now all too commonplace. Take one traditional old pub that is down on its luck, call in the interior designers, rip it to shreds, stick in bright lights, a couple of plasma screens and a pool table and hey presto, one faceless, soulless modern pub aimed at people who really can't be bothered to walk an extra hundred yards in search of anything with a bit of charisma. Standard keg selection, in fact nothing of interest whatsoever unless you want a game of pool, watch footie or are just trying to get a cheap pint in before being ripped off in Koko opposite (that's the Camden Palace for you oldies like me). Functional but uninteresting and boring and not a place I can see myself returning to in a hurry.