The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton, N1

At the time of writing the Wenlock is on the seriously endangered species list and may be extinct within weeks. The potential closure of what has become one of London’s landmark Real Ale pibs is subject to much debate elsewhere suffice to say its loss, if it happens, would be a major dent to the London pub scene. Tucked away down side streets midway between Angel and Old Street tube stations, it isn’t the most accessible pub that you would want to find. The interior is a quite smallish u-shape with some built in seating around the front with wooden divides. The traditional interior was recently hijacked for a week by some extremely inappropriate plastic furnishings to celebrate National Design week but fortunately things are now back to normal, or as normal as the Wenlock gets. The pub does have a distinctly unkempt approach with assorted junk, dust encrusted bottles on shelves, random assorted posters and photos of locals in various states of partying. There are plenty of CAMRA and London Drinkers magazines as reading material and a basic TV in one corner. Occasionally there will be live informal music (no mics or speakers, just a selection of musicians having a bit of fun in the corner). It must be said that whilst the place does ooze with character, it probably won’t be popular with everyone, especially if they are not interested in ales. It does also get uncomfortably overcrowded. The 10 hand pumps are usually fully stocked with a wonderful range of rotating ales from micro breweries across the country. A list can be found on a regularly updated blackboard in the corner and prices range between £2.90 and £3.10 which is pretty reasonable for the area. I have yet to have anything approaching a dodgy paint on my admittedly sporadic visits. It remains, for the time being, a must visit pub for discerning ale drinkers albeit you need to make a bit of an effort to get there. The relatively near Old Fountain makes for a good double header if you need a bigger excuse. I have rather neglected the Wenlock over the years and given its current precarious postion it is best to get there while you still can because if it goes, it will be gone for good.

Like previous posters before me, I too felt a revisit was called for. It’s not changed in any real sense since my first visit several years ago. It remains the same shabby treasure it’s always been, wearing its tattiness like a badge of honour. The pub sign looks a bit more faded now, and I hope that’s not some sort symbolic precursor to its demise. They had the usual array of ales on. I saw something from Allgate Brewery called Shimla IPA, commemorating the Kalka to Shimla Railway, presumably in Northern India. Feeling unable to pass up on such an unusually described ale I went for a pint of it and found it a tasty and robust 5.5% nicely hopped IPA. I hope that I can visit again before too long.

Thought we better make a visit with all the rumours of demise. This Victorian pub is as good as ever with Nethergate Priory Mild and Dark Star Porter amounts others. Good range of clientele swell.