The Shipwrights Arms, London Bridge, SE1

Rather better than I had expected from previous write-ups, the interior is well described by others. It was certainly busy when we visited, a pleasant and convivial buzz about the place. This meant it took a long time to get served, but the beer was OK and it was an enjoyable session, if a little pricey. Several pints of London Pale and Ghost Ship were consumed and these were in decent condition. Happy to pop in here again, and it’s a good place to meet up prior to an evening’s libation.

Dating from 1792 but rebuilt in 1894, this is much as described below. I agree with John in that the interior is rather bland, despite being on CAMRA’s heritage list of having an interior of Some Regional Importance, the item here being the fantastic polychromatic tiled mural of shipwrights at work on the Thames to a former lobby. Quite traditional, the interior is carpeted, which is unusual for the area. There’s an old-school landlady, with little communication possible due to the insistence on Perspex plague screens, with drinking not permitted at the bar; all a bit impersonal. Ales: Doom, Bermondsey’s London Pale ale and Best at a very reasonable £2.25 a half and nice. This place is ok, but the Perpetual Perspex over vaccination choice is a bit of a deterrent to returning.