Faltering Fullback, N4

There were a couple of ales on – London Pride, and Truman’s Swallow and Swift (£1.80 a half). There was no sign of food or menus when I was in on Saturday afternoon. Judging by the external signage, this was apparently originally a Courage pub called the Sir Walter Scott. The exterior is also now almost completely covered in ivy (plus a few flowers) that is encroaching on the windows thus making it a bit gloomier than it ought to be. The interior is unchanged since the previous reviewer’s visit. The front of the pub is a wedg e shaped bar, still with all manner of stuff hanging from the ceiling – such aspush bikes, model aeroplanes, a washboard, a birdcage, and what looked like didgeridoo! There are only tall tables and tall stool in this bar, but behind here is another room with some standard tables and chairs. This in turn leads to a large room at the back called the “sin bin” – presumably a sporting reference. This room is what I would guess is regarded as the sport room as it had the pool table, and maybe there was a dartboard lurking in the shadows (it was mightily gloomy in here – daylight could be a major distraction) but I didn’t see it. There was no sport on when I was in on Saturday afternoon, but I’m certain sport is still a major player here, judging by the scarves hanging from the ceiling as well as other sporting memorabilia around the place. It’s fairly shabby in a comfortable sort of way, and I wouldn’t mind dropping in here again if I was in the area.

Randomness Guide to London - Faltering Fullback entry

Randomness Guide to London - Faltering Fullback entry

As the name would suggest this pub is the place to go and watch the rugby in the area and fortunately for me my recent visit coincided with a Six Nations afternoon match. The pub was heaving with a boisterous yet harmless crowd and there was a great atmosphere, I just wished that I could have stayed longer to watch the England game. The main pub area is split into three sections with the main bar area at the front of the pub. There are all kinds of strange objects hanging from the ceiling including old bikes, bird cages, old telephones, a Victorian looking child’s toy pram and I also spotted a trumpet. This area was heaving with people watching the game on the TV up in the corner of the pub. To the left of this bar there is a small seating area and to the right there is a public bar which leads to a very big room at the rear which was packed with more people watching the game on another screen. The door at the rear of this room leads to a courtyard that seems nothing special at first glance, but I have to say that it is the most impressive terracing I have seen and I think that whoever designed it has utilised all of the space provided perfectly. There are three hand pumps in the public bar and I think that there is also another in the front bar, but only Pride was on one pump and the others didn’t look like they were ever used. Staropramen, Leffe and Hoegarden were also available alongside a selection of standard draught products from which I had a decent pint of Guinness from a friendly barmaid. The inclusion of only Pride will put some people off and I have to admit that I’m a little surprised as the rugby crowd are well known for their love of ale, but I would still return if in the area.