The Angel, Roehampton, SW15

This is – presumably – a Victorian building, recorded as a coaching inn as far back as 1617. This would seem to be unchanged since Rex’s last visit from 11 years ago and I agree that the sign is amusing, perhaps less so than before as it was replaced around 2021. It’s still a two-room format, the saloon bar at left used for pool, the corner public bar with some leaded lights being traditional though quite basic; what wasn’t so appealing was the knot of all black-clad somewhat intimidating youths hanging around outside it. Customers are a very local down-to-earth bunch, the pub and its patrons light years removed from the experience at the King’s Head next door. I didn’t check out the drinks’ option as the youths proved too great a deterrent to remaining.

Official site of The Angel - theangelpub.com

Official site of The Angel - theangelpub.com

I paid a return visit to this pub yesterday, and I'm glad to say that I found it unchanged from my previous visit. I entered via the Saloon Bar to see three unclipped pumps on the bar counter - always a worrying sight. But a pump in the Public Bar was dishing out Young's Bitter - in fact the only ale on - which turned out to be in excellent nick. It's now gone up to £3.10 a pint, but that's still a reasonable price for the London area. This remains a local drinkers' pub - it couldn't be more of a contrast to the sumptious King's Head next door. I'd be happy to visit again.

This is a very basic Young’s house, with only Bitter (at £2.80 a pint) on during my Saturday lunchtime visit. But it was a decent, and very welcome, pint on a warm day. There was no food on – not even any crisps or nuts, which is most unusual for any pub. Delivery problems, I suppose. But there is a caff a couple of doors away that does takeaway sandwiches, and in some other pubs that don’t do food they’ve suggested that you pop out and bring a sarny back. It might be worth their while doing something like that here – I might have stayed for a second pint had I been able to get a bite to eat. Anyway, the pub is still essentially a two-room affair, with the saloon and public bars connected by a short corridor, and with a small raised area off the saloon bar containing a couple of tables and chairs as well as a dartboard. The saloon bar’s carpeted; the public bar’s not. That’s very traditional. Furnishings are normal tables and chairs, but for some reason just inside the saloon bar entrance there’s a tall chunky table with a couple of tall upholstered benches. It looks a bit out of place to me, especially in a traditional pub like this, but I don’t much like the things in any case. Wall decor is old photos and miscellaneous prints; there was some radio station on mainly playing pop music; and the inevitable flatscreen TV was muted and tuned to Sky Sports. There was also a sign on display declaring that children aren’t permitted in the saloon bar; so, probably best to give the public bar a miss then. There are a handful of picnic benches in a small enclosed area just outside the public bar entrance. This is a pretty ordinary and unpretentious pub – I quite liked it and would be happy to have it as my local if I lived in Roehampton. Of course it is the only pub in the immediate vicinity. I have to say that I do rather like the pub sign – I wonder who modelled for it?

Randomness Guide to London - Angel entry

Randomness Guide to London - Angel entry

If you like your pubs rough and ready this is the pub for you.2 old fashioned bars selling Youngs beers.Down to earth staff & locals.Due for a re-furb next month.