The Crown, E3

Little can be added to that below, though a selection of Twickenham Ales constitutes the real ale contingent along with premium lagers and cider. This is a very 'designed' pub for the stripey shirt and Ray Bans brigade and is rather incongruous in this traditionally down at heel area. I must admit that I quite liked it and would certainly pop in again if passing.

Standing diagonally opposite the “Crown Gate” to Victoria Park, this edifice of a Victorian pub rightly dominates the crossroads. Its glory is somewhat diminished these days, having been painted the battleship grey you see everywhere now. Inside it’s more shades of grey, plus sofas all over the place, as well as some hideous tall benches upholstered with fake animal skin patterned fabric coupled with tall butcher’s block style tables. Drinking areas were divided by shelving bearing an assortment of what some interior pub designer thinks looks good, such as books (fair enough), bowls containing some sort of pot pourri, and glass jars containing what looks like dry lemon slices, pine cones and other assorted debris. The original mosaic tiling for the Crown Hotel is still in the entranceway though. There are some tables outside at the front on a small patio area, where I also saw an advertisement for hen parties and baby showers. I’m not sure why anyone would want to take their baby to a pub for a shower, but it takes all kinds I suppose. Or possibly it’s an attempt to foist another gimmicky American activity onto unwary Londoners. Anyway, they did have Doom Bar and Redemption Pale Ale. I had a half of the Redemption, at the very predictable £1.75. It tasted good though. I guess a lot of people must like these gutted Victorian pubs as there were a good number of customers in there on Saturday afternoon, but it’s not really my cup of tea.

Randomness Guide to London - Crown entry

Randomness Guide to London - Crown entry