The Waterman's Arms, E14

A imposing building, located close to river as its previous name of the Watermans Arms suggests. Inside, you find a 'L'-shaped bar and the separate Brunel Lounge. Refurbished with semi-modern furniture, but retaining more-traditional decor including local history prints and photographs. Unfortunately, just two of the four handpumps were on when I visited, with Bombardier and Old Rosie cider available (with Black Sheep shown as coming soon). Overall, despite the disappointment on the beer front, this is a pleasant spot to stop for a pint.

The girl who served me my pint was efficient and friendly; I sat down to read my book over a quiet pint while a few other punters at the bar carried on their conversation. I finished my beer then left – seems fair enough to me. Real ales on were Pride, Broadside and Young’s Bitter. I had the Pride, which was not brilliant, but OK. This is a large pub near the river, with a separate dining room on the right as you go in. Actually this is a comfortable, what I might call old style, pub. There were a few locals in, using what some might regard to be overly colourful language, standing drinking at the bar, but otherwise it was fairly quiet on a Wednesday lunchtime. The music was the usual banal pop music, but it was not being played too loudly. I wouldn’t mind dropping in for another pint if I were in the area.