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Detail Pages
The Windmill, Lambeth, SE1
SE1
SE1 7JS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Windmill
This pub dates from the late 18th century, though I suspect was rebuilt in the late 19th. It was once a Courage pub and there’s still one of their trademark illuminated red box signs, one of three I’ve seen this month, having not seen one for years.
You’d think that Lambeth High Street would be fairly typical, but there isn’t a single commercial outlet here; indeed, the place is much more of a backstreet location than bustling high street. Traditional and largely untouched in decades, the interior is atmospheric, with a carpeted or lacquered floor, some bare brick then brown paint, red swag curtains, mixed furniture and eclectic knickknacks with a pool table dominating the frontal area, all to a decent Madness soundtrack. There’s food here but not gastro, though including prawns, fish fingers and fish ‘n’ chips, coming as no surprise given that the pub is next door to the International Maritime Organization; customers were a fruity mix, some barely visible in the sparsely lit rear.
The ale front could do with some improvement, with Sharp’s Atlantic, Doom and Pride, salvation coming in the form of Landlord at a steep £5.85 though in great shape, served by a friendly barman.
Far from being run of the mill, this is a very decent pub and a far better bet than the Rose; worth checking out, especially if the depressing Sharp's/Pride options were ditched in favour of something more interesting, which would get the score up.
On 27th June 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Windmill
There were four ales on in here - the Sharps pair of Doom Bar and Atlantic, London Pride, and Timothy Taylor Landlord (£5.10(!) a pint, and only just in the drinkable category). They do food at weekday lunchtimes, but on Monday only the very basics as the barman hadn't turned up and the chef was having to cover the kitchen and bar. I had a little metal bucket full of chips at £4.50. So definitely not cheap.
Nevertheless, in other respects I liked this backstreet pub. There are some sofas, a few tall tables/tall stools, but also some normal tables and chairs on a raised area down at the back. It's carpeted, which I approve of, has bookcases down at the end at the back of the raised area, but the most attractive period pieces for me are the pair of large wood mounted (with gilt rams heads) porcelain jars acting as lamp stands either side of the fireplace. There's a pool table and a dartboard.
Even though I felt that this was the sort of unpretentious pub that I like, the prices are definitely not backstreet, and are rather offputting.
On 5th August 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Windmill
The Windmill is a proper back street local that comes complete with a dartboard and a pool table, the latter of which costs a steep £1.50 per game. The bar on the right hand wall offers a range of premium and standard keg products. I also counted three hand pumps that were drawing Sharp’s Doom Bar and Atlantic alongside Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. Pub grub is available at very reasonable prices.
There is a mix of furniture which includes sofas and more conventional tables and chairs. There are a couple of tables out the front and a beer shelf runs along the façade.
I found the service to be very friendly so will return when next in the area.
On 31st January 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Windmill
Well it's still there and now seems to be run by a young and friendly couple although on my lunchtime visit there were only 2 people in.This is an old fashioned one bar pub and there were 3 real ales on with the London Pride being in fair condition.This pub is at the back of the Albert Embankment and I wouldn't imagine that it gets much passing trade.I hope it continues to stay open.
On 11th February 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Windmill
Strange sort of place, run by an older couple who gave the impression of being temporary managers. The pint of Adnams was OK, but it is the sort of place that one fears might not be there next time you walk past. Location-wise, if there is anything less like a high street than Lambeth High Street then I have yet to see it (but it certainly ain't in Camberwell).
On 26th June 2009
- rating: 5
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]