The Windsor, Peckham, SE15

Official site of The Windsor - www.thewindsoroldkentroad.co.uk

Official site of The Windsor - www.thewindsoroldkentroad.co.uk

One of the few 'proper pubs' left on the Old Kent Road, the large (partly split-level) bar probably once looked much grander than it now does. The impressive façade is also now half hidden by a basic industrial awning, but at least this allows quite a number of external tables. Still just one real ale from the three handpumps, but that's better than none, and my pint of Doom Bar (£3.50) was fine.

Despite the "real ales" sign outside, of the three handpumps on the counter only one was in use dispensing Adnam's Southwold Bitter (£1.60 a half). But at least there was one ale available, and perhaps I was just unlucky that there was no choice when I visited. There was no sign of any food on Wednesday afternoon. The exterior is quite magnificent, being typical of the imposing buildings the late Victorians seemed to delight in erecting. At the front there's a patio area set back from the pavement with a good number of picnic benches. Inside it's nothing special however. Most of the single room is bare boarded and furnished with loads of tall tables/tall stools, but on the right there's a carpeted area where there are a handful of normal tables and chairs, a couple of which are on a small raised balustraded area. A pool table graces the back of the room, where there also a handful of framed old black and white photographs. Other decor comprises a Republic of Ireland flag, some Millwall FC themed posters, and an advert for live music on Saturday night. There are a couple of large screen TVs on opposing walls (both muted so that we could enjoy the pop music), one showing Sky Sports and the other some horse racing. I didn't find this pub to be anything special, but it was doing a reasonable trade, and did have one real ale on, with the possibility of up to three if you're lucky.