The Cat's Back, Wandsworth, SW18

This is a mid-19th century pub which I suspect was rebuilt in the 1930s, originally the Ye Olde House at Home later the Foresters, then Brush, the current name arriving in the ‘90s after a prodigal cat, the Harvey’s acquisition dating from 2012. The interior is moodily lit, with herringbone parquet floor and at least one leaded stained-glass partition, along with a decent bar back and front. Furniture is conventional, décor amounting to knickknacks with odd anthropomorphic prints of animals dressed as royalty. There was a mixed local crowd, a good overall ambience and much more traditionally pubby than Harvey’s Royal Oak. Disappointingly there were just two out of four pumps in use, one illegible in the gloom then something called Forward’s Choice at £2.60 a half and ok but nothing special. This is a very decent pub, easily the best in the immediate vicinity, but I’m not a disciple of Harvey’s beers and my drink was as unadventurous as their mainstream lineup; the one unisex cubicle could prove problematic too.

Traditional backstreet Harvey's pub. A fat L shaped interior; the main bar as you enter with a narrow spur off right leading to an impressive semi curricular bottle green banquette. Red walls, wallpaper and white ceiling as well as a nice dark wood bar area with wood flyover and gold trim. A fire was on the go but the embers were dying, which was a shame. Beware of the toilets, a long slog upstairs through the curtains with no signage. Four pumps with three Harveys ales, the Old being off. Unfortunately the Armada died fairly quickly in the glass (NBSS 2). It's a decent little pub; maybe I got unlucky with my beer but you wouldn’t get a duff one in the Royal Oak… 6.5

My first return here since it became a Harvey's pub, It no longer has the quirkiness it once had but remains a pleasant pub with three beers on when I turned up,Old Ale, Kiss and IPA, there was a turned Sussex Best clip, this came on during my stay, I went for the IPA, a mistake as it was rather bland and a little tired. I still like this pub and although for me doesn't have the attraction it once did I would be happy to call by again.

The Cats Back was a Watney's pub called the Brush (presumably with a landlord called Basil) but according to the more recent (mid nineties) copy of the SW London beer guide it was originally called the Forester's Arms but by that time had become a free house bearing the current name. The outside of it has some well preserved old green tiling but not surprisingly the main windows have been replaced with new Harvey etched ones. Inside it's a fairly basic single room with a wooden floor. An upstairs function room is advertised. The toilets are downstairs which is unlikely to be an original feature in what looks like a Victorian pub. The bar has four hand pumps which had Harvey's Best, Old, IPA & Christmas Ale. I went for the Best which was in good nick but at four quid like most London pubs is daylight robbery. I'm unlikely to revisit this pub not because there's anything wrong with it but because I see no reason to return to Wandsworth.

Tiny little traditional pub with seating at the rear but it looks onto flats and offices so not ideal.Friendly young bar staff.No Sussex best on but Ipa,Olympia,and my Armada which was okay but I had wanted to try Sussex best so was disappointed.I have wondered about the pub name but the sign above the door explains it.

Nice little pub well worth seeking out, well described by others, the more so thanks to Harvey's beers in tip-top condition: IPA (aka Pale, Hadlow), Best; Olympia and another I forget when we called. It was very empty early evening making me wonder if it's in the right spot but judging by the number of estate agent's signs for both residential and commercial property in the new blocks all around they're hoping trade will build. Because it is a Harvey's pub I expect it will become a destination in it's own right amongst London's ale drinking classes. It also makes an excellent stop if you're doing the Thames Walk but watch out for weekday opening times. Highly recommended.

Harveys second London pub is rather hidden away, located on the Thames Path but set back a short distance from the river bank between Bell Lane Creek and Wandsworth Park. The rectangular bar is supplemented by a small rear seating area up two steps, an upstairs dining room (not visited) and several chairs out on the pavement. Traditional furniture, and lots of historical photographs on all the walls. Sussex, Armada, Tom Paine and Olympia (£3.30) available from the four handpumps. Overall, what should be a very pleasant watering hole has to be marked down a bit (on this occasion, at least) by having a particularly clueless barman on duty - let's hope next's better...

Offical site of The Cat's Back - www.thecatsback.com