The Old Wheatsheaf, Enfield

Official site of The Old Wheatsheaf - www.oldwheatsheaf.co.uk

Official site of The Old Wheatsheaf - www.oldwheatsheaf.co.uk

A classic glazed tiled exterior with two fine curved bay windows,the main public bar here has a traditional feel with lots of interest.The glass is all etched,with a traditional front door while there are fitted bench seats in dark wood,a Victorian fireplace with a mirror inlayed into a wooden frame.Sadly only a coal affect gas fire operates here.On the walls are a few old football photos,while the two flatscreens will show Sky Sports,thankfully mute on my trip.The guv'nor is a bit of a character,and there was a lot of good humoured banter with the locals.The three handpumps were offering CW Courage Best,Wadworth 6X and St Austell Tribute (in very good condition,£4).There is another seperate side bar at a higher level,but in a less interesting oblong room.This also had the feel of another public bar.There is a covered courtyard with substantial benches for those who like fresh air drinking. Despite an unadventurous ale selection,I really enjoyed the boozer atmosphere .It's proper old school and well worth a visit for the historic interior,listed by CAMRA.

This pub is on CAMRA's London Inventory of pubs with historic interiors, because it still retains its two separate rooms. The room on the right is the more upmarket of the two, and has subsumed the old jug and bottle bar, although the door shows where it used to be. Unfortunately the right hand room was not in use when we visited on Thursday lunchtime - apparently it opens later in the dat when there is sufficient trade to warrant it. The left hand room is single storey and looks to be an addition to the pub. Nonetheless, it is a nice room with matchboard panelling on the walls and bar counter, is carpeted and traditionally furnished with banquettes, small round stools and normal tables. There are a few odds and ends on the window ledges, such as books and plants. There's a small outside seating area to the side of the pub. There were three ales on - Hobgoblin, Courage Best and Adnam's Southwold Bitter (£3.40 a pint). There was no sign of any food - not surprising as it seems to be very quiet at lunchtime, with only four customers in there. This struck me as an honest to goodness unpretentious local, of the type that's becoming increasingly rare. It's a real pub - I liked it.