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Detail Pages
The Tavern on the Hill, E17
E17
E17 5RG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Tavern on the Hill
A late mid-Victorian pub this, originally the Higham Hill Tavern, which until recently, had been known as the Warrant Officer, explanation provided by Aqualung; an arched Taylor Walker sign frame persists, testament to its former ownership. This also features on a recent list of London’s Top 50 Pubs (which described the place as formerly being the hardest in Walthamstow), so obviously attracted the attention of Captain Intrepid here, as it requires a fair bit of effort to reach.
The bare floor seems original, thereafter it’s a staple-shaped interior, with a smoky blue or white colour scheme, traditional furniture, conventional lighting, modern bar back and an upright piano, deployed on Friday evenings. Décor amounts to potted palms, shelved books and a selection of trendy prints. Customers amounted to just three others in attendance, one discussing with the barman their favourite sushi restaurants, whilst two old local geezers watched the football, crestfallen every time West Ham conceded a goal.
Home to the Wildcard Brewery, there are two standard beers: their Pale Ale and Best at £2.55 a half, served by a right local treacle of a barmaid and very good it was too; three unused pumps are deployed for other ales, probably later in the week.
This is a perfectly decent place, better than the Lord Palmerston, but I don’t think it deserves to be on a list of London’s Top 50 and the few customers attest to this, unless you’re Robert Richier, for whom the place is so good, he reviewed it twice.
On 10th April 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Warrant Officer
A single real ale on in here, called Summer Fling (£3.80 a pint). The clip had on it only the name of the beer, plus the ABV of 4.2%. Nobody there knew who brewed it, but it tasted reasonable. I didn't see any sign of food on Tuesday afternoon.
It looks as if the exterior is a work in progress, as some of the gunk has been prised off the walls to reveal the original brewer's tiling underneath it. I do hope that they finish the job soon, as it looks a bit of a dog's breakfast at the moment.
Inside it's a single room, with a raised area/stage in the corner at the front, and with a bit of a garden at the side. There's a cheap carpet on the floor, a trio of tall tables/tall stools, a couple of sofas on the raised area, and a few normal tables and chairs completes the furnishings. A pool table and dartboard are on the right. But the most striking feature is the red and black striped bar counter front. Possibly there's an affiliation with AC Milan or Bournemouth, or maybe its someone's idea of a stylish decorative feature. They clearly have some live entertainment - I saw an advertisment for a Sunday jam, presumably on the raised area as the bank of lights were pointed at it.
This struck as a basic locals' pub. It doesn't really have anything that makes it worth going out of your way to visit, but OK for a swift one.
On 19th August 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Warrant Officer
Went to this pub as its home to the Solvay Society brewery in the basement(keg).Looks like its been done up but still a basic boozer.Well described by Aqualung and a decent outside space with plenty of seating.Few customers on my Friday night visit.Trumans -eyrie and a couple of GK beers on cask.The Solvay beer had no name on the font and the barman wasn't going to give any clues other than handing me. a list with 3 names on it.Had a pint anyway of the Columbian corn saison(I assume that's what it was).Toxic yellow and cloudy looking.Not to my taste.Bad service,and bad beer.Not a winning combo.
On 27th October 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Warrant Officer
This was formerly the Higham Hill Tavern an Ind Coope pub and later the Tavern On The Hill. It is said to be the only pub with this name and I certainly don't recall ever seeing another one. The name reflects the military background of the owner and a sign outside says that it is the home of the Walthamstow British Legion.
It's situated in the NE corner of Walthamstow with both W15 bus stops close by and the 158 bus is only a short walk away in Billet Road (Chingford Mount To Stratford via Blackhorse Road and Leyton tube stations).
It's also now the home of the Wild Card Brewery which started brewing earlier in the year. I couldn't tell where the brewery was but I assume it's somewhere in the building as a blackboard outside boasts that it is the home of the brewery. Currently they brew just one beer called the Jack Of Clubs, which is a red beer.
This is very much a back street boozer rather than one of the grand Victorian corner pubs like the Bell or the Rose and Crown which have become quite trendy. It's a clean tidy single room with mixed furnishings, a pool table and a proper darts throw. It has a garden which I didn't venture into.
There are two handpumps only one of which was in use and was selling the disappointing Greene King Leg Before Wicket at £3.10. This was well kept, but could have been just about any Greene King lower ABV beer. Given that the pub is presumably free of tie and the number of local breweries that now exist, I thought that this was a very poor choice to replace the usual Jack Of Clubs. At the price it was also only 14p cheaper than the pint of the stronger Seven Giraffes which I subsequently had (with 10% CAMRA discount) in the Bell.
There is also a room above that is used as a Conference Centre rather than a function room (I'm not sure exactly what the difference is).
It's a bit out on a limb (but not as awkward as the Coppermill to get to). I will come back some time to try the local brew when I can be sure it's on.
It opens at 15:00 weekdays, 14:00 Saturday and 13:00 Sunday.
I would have added another point to the score but for the poor choice of guest.
On 11th July 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Robert Richier left this review about The Warrant Officer
This pub has gone through a transformation, it is one of the best pubs in Waltham Forest. Nicely decorated inside and out. A nice friendly atmosphere alway someone there to have a chat with. The staff are nice polite and always up for a laugh. Limited opening hours 3-9 weekdays 1.00 -9.00 weekends however if you are in before 9 then you are always welcome to stay later. Sunday Lunch is home cooked not steamed or boil in a bag and pretty cheap prices too.
On 16th November 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Robert Richier left this review about The Warrant Officer
What a lovely Pub
On 16th November 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 1 pubs]