User name:

Password:

Login


Sign in with Facebook


Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW


Chat about:
New pub visits 2024 with Brainypool on the Pub Forum

Ye Olde Watling, Mansion House, EC4

29 Watling Street
EC4
EC4M 9BR
Phone: 02072488935

Return to pub summary

Pub Type

Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)
Page: 1 2

Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Blackthorn _ left this review about Ye Olde Watling

A traditional Nicholson’s street corner pub just along the road from St Paul’s Cathedral, this seems very popular with the after-work crowd and is invariably very busy in the road outside, even to the extent that it can be quite difficult to get in to the actual pub. This was again the case on my recent Tuesday evening visit, although fortunately there was standing space inside the pub, even though all tables were occupied.

It's quite traditional internally with sanded wooden boards on the floor and plenty of black beams on both the ceiling and walls, with white painted plasterwork in between giving in something of a Tudor style. There were also some very chunky black supporting pillars as well as a black wooden partition with frosted glass inserts. Dark wood panelling was on the lower part of the walls, and a few old pictures and a history board were on the walls. Seating was rather limited, with a few small brass tables in the front bar, as well as some stools in the window. The rear bar was broadly similar in terms of décor, but did have plenty of tables and chairs squeezed in, and is presumably used more for eating.

Beers on tap were Nicholson’s Pale, Ale, Ghost Ship, Doom Bar and London Pride, whilst Tribute was apparently coming soon and a further three pumps appeared unused. The solitary cider meanwhile was Mortimer’s Orchard. Overall, a pretty decent pub, but time your visit to avoid early evenings if you want to get a seat.

On 12th May 2023 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1937 recommendations about 1850 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Real Ale Ray left this review about Ye Olde Watling

An historic pub positioned on what was once the main Roman road in and out of the city. The pub was rebuilt by Christopher Wren in 1668, after the Great Fire of London, also plans for St Paul's were drawn up in what is now the upstairs dining room. Eight handpumps, serving seven ales and one cider, we went for the Hook Norton X Ale, in collaboration with the Yeastie Boys, which was decent and the downside was that it cost £4.90 a pint. I found this pub to more of a local's pub, where the staff and fellow drinkers were all friendly and chatty.

On 18th June 2019 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3378 recommendations about 3378 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john gray left this review about Ye Olde Watling

Another decent Nicolson pub with formulaic interior.Good selection of beers and friendly barmaid.Peerless -ice breaker,Great Newsome -pigs ear and my Bru -stout was good if a bit thin.

On 13th April 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about Ye Olde Watling

I'm not sure how old this pub is - it looks Victorian to me and I can quite believe that it was restored after World War II. Perhaps the ceiling beams were taken from ships; I don't know. However, I do know that half timbered buildings, let alone internal timbers should NOT be painted black, because this is called vandalism; they should be natural wood. The floor certainly isn't made from old boat bits as it's modern pale boarded.
Indeed this pub is very crowded, even mid-week at around 10.00 pm.
Furniture consists of high stools and chairs with more conventional seats and tables to the rear room; the dining room is downstairs. Music was muted and TVs showed dross with the sound off, so naturally created horrible flashing lighting effects in what is a very dark pub. Some further lighting is provided by a flashing games machine which allowed one to see all the sauce bottles on the window shelves.
Ales: five I couldn't quite see, thereafter Fuller's London Pride, Oakham Ales JHB and Sharp's Doom Bar at a cheap £3.75 a pint which was about as good as it can be.
I'm not sure if this is one of Nicholson's best or worst offerings as there's a lot of crap not to like: TVs, black beams, games machines and sauce bottles but otherwise it's not too bad, and certainly better than the average City pub. On balance, I think I'll leave this one to the bankers.

On 21st October 2016 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Ye Olde Watling

Historic Nicholsons inn, with a compact interior featuring just the sort of traditional furniture and decor that one might expect. Sir Christopher Wren dining room upstairs (never visited). All eight handpumps in operation on my latest visit, with the 'house' (St Austell) Pale, Festive and Porter (£3.95) available plus Doom Bar, Truman's Runner, Purity Rivet, Brains Cafe Phoenix Porter and Hilden Stout. Tends to get very crowded, but justifiably so.

On 4th December 2014 - rating: 8
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


hondo . left this review about Ye Olde Watling

Interior as described below. 8 real ales and food served.

On 19th November 2013 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roy Collins left this review about Ye Olde Watling

A very good Nicholsons pub with a good range of ales which are well kept.Pleasant bar staff and historical interior.Expected it to be crowded when called at lunchtime but it was not very full.well worth a visit,

On 20th June 2013 - rating: 8
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roy Collins left this review about Ye Olde Watling

A fascinating past
Said to be built from old ships' timbers by Sir Christopher Wren, Ye Olde Watling has a remarkable heritage dating to 1668. It stands on Watling Street, a Roman road leading out of the City via Ludgate. One claim to fame is that upstairs rooms were used as a drawing office during the building of St Paul's Cathedral, also that pub catered for Wren's workmen after the Great Fire.

On 28th May 2013 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about Ye Olde Watling

Even for a Nicholson’s pub, which have a reasonable reputation for providing a good ale selection, this one’s choices were good indeed. The ales on were London Pride, Doom Bar, Acorn Sorachi Ace IPA, Tribute, Lancaster Blond, Thornbridge Jaipur, Oakleaf Brewery IPA, and Itchen Valley Godfather. I went for the Godfather (£3.50 a pint), a previously untried beer by yours truly, and which was in excellent nick. They do food at lunchtimes during the week of course, with some of the usual pub favourites on offer, such as the steak and ale pie ay £8.50.
The front bar area has only tall tables and stools, but with no stools at the bar counter when I was in, which makes life easier getting served when it’s busy. This pub has the look of an ancient City pub, with mainly latticed windows, dark beams and posts, with some bearing apparently ancient sayings in gold script. But the one proclaiming that the SPBW is probably more recent. I sign behind the servery gives us a bit history about the pub. A doorway at the back leads (as well as to the lavatories) to another room with some sofas and more comfortable furnishings than the bar area at the front. The ale choice here alone sets this pub a few notches above the majority in this area, but it also scores in the historic and pub atmosphere stakes, making it a must visit pub for anyone visiting this part of the City. I’ve visited this pub several times before, and will no doubt visit again.

On 23rd November 2011 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about Ye Olde Watling

Well reviewed by others below,so nothing much to add.It was pleasing to see seven of the eight handpumps in operation and my pint of BrewDog Alpha Dog was in good condition.The interior is small and I am sure that at peak times the experience may not be as enjoyable as my late afternoon visit.However well worth including on any tour of this part of the City.

On 27th January 2011 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]

Page: 1 2