Maida Vale to Camden.
The Prince Alfred
Street: 5A Formosa Street
Operator: Youngs
Open:
11:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
11:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Maida Valt to Camden crawl
Hompage
Underground: Warwick Avenue (3min)
Bakerloo
About the pub:
A spectacular Victorian pub built in 1856 and refitted around 1896 with an extraordinary set of fittings, now very rare survivors from the days when so many London pubs had small drinkers' compartments surrounding the servery (those at the Princess Louise, Holborn, marvellous as they are, are a twenty-first century reinstatement).
The central peninsular servery, complete with snob screens at one end, is surrounded by its five original compartments, each with its own entrance from the street, divided by wood and glass partitions, these punctured by low service doors for "pot boys" to slip through to collect drinking pots and glasses. The ornate back bar draws the eye up to the highly decorated ceiling and these, together with the intricate carving on the partitions, impart a rococo feel to the place. Light is provided by the magnificent full-height engraved bow windows.
The passageway and bar area to the side sport some delightful wall tiling and floor mosaics as well as a fireplace in which, in colder weather, a real fire burns. Beyond is the open kitchen and separate restaurant, the Formosa Dining Room. The full menu offered here is served in all areas of the pub itself, where sandwiches are also available between noon and 4pm on weekdays only.
The food offering includes Sunday roasts but the pub is often packed with locals at Sunday lunchtime so be warned!
Unobtrusive screens offer sports TV which, this being Maida Vale, is often rugby
or tennis.
The very special nature of this venue was recognised in 2022 when its listing was raised to Grade II*.
Artist and illustrator Edward Ardizzone drew "The Saloon Bar at the Prince Alfred" and his illustration is in Maurice Gorham's famous book "Back to the Local".
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques -Westminster
Little Venice (8min)
Little Venice
The Warrington Hotel
Street: 93 Warrington Crecent
Operator: Ewe Hospitality Ltd
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Maida Valt to Camden crawl
Hompage
Underground: Maida Vale (5min)
Bakerloo
About the pub:
Flanked by K2 red telephone kiosks, this is one of the most opulent of London pubs. This spacious, stucco-fronted hotel was put up in the middle of the 19th century. It was given a major update later in the century, probably in the 1890s, and the glorious tiled columns to the entrance porch and a huge mosaic floor bearing the name of the pub give some idea of the richness that lies on the other side of the doors. It is also beautifully carpeted throughout.
The main room is on the right and has a grey marble-topped counter with unusual, bulgy pilasters and lozenge decoration. Grey marble also appears in the columns of a three-bay arcade which marches across the right-hand side of the room, embracing the generously scaled staircase to what is now the upstairs restaurant. Some of the windows have lively stained glass, while over the servery is a semi-circular canopy, decorated with Art Nouveau-style paintings of naked ladies. More such paintings, with the signature Colin Beswick 1965, appear on the back wall and are meant to evoke the unlikely story that has grown up that this was once a brothel.
The left-hand room was once clearly divided into three as the patterning in the ceiling shows. The lowest status part has matchboard wall panelling and an ornate, much decayed mirror advertising Bass pale ale. Other things to note are the attractive and unusual high-level chequerwork glazed screens, the skylight over the first-floor landing and the deep, decorative cornices on the first floor.
Artist and illustrator Edward Ardizzone drew "The Lounge at the Warrington" and his illustration is in Maurice Gorham's famous book "Back to the Local". There are suggestions in his drawing of illicit assignations upstairs!
The extensive food menu includes Sunday roasts, kid-size portions, and veggie and vegan dishes.
Note that sale of alcohol is forbidden unbder the licence terms before 10am Mondays to Saturdays or noon on Sundays.
As at late May 2022 it is understood that the freehold of this pub is on the market via Davis Coffer Lyons and with vacant possession. There have been reports since then of non-availability of cask ale at certain times. Further updates welcome.
Grade II listed,
A large amount of historic information about this site is available in the heritage statement dated 10 April 2019 submitted in connection with various planning applications made in early 2019, and available via the Westminster Council planning portal. The story that this was once a brothel apparently gave rise to the word "randy" because of its proximity to Randolph Avenue. The pub featured in the 1965 film thriller “Bunny Lake is Missing” starring Laurence Olivier and directed by Otto Preminger. Further trivia about the film scenes in the pub can be found in the Boak & Bailey blog dated 27 December 2021.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques -Westminster
Abbey Road Crosswalk (12min)
Abbey Road crosswalk
Abbey Road Studio (12min)
Abbey Road Studios
Lord's Cricket Ground (18min)
Lords cricket ground
Primrose Hill (30min)
Primrose Hill
The Engineer
Street: 65 Gloucester Avenue
Operator: Castle (Mitchells & Butlers)
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Maida Valt to Camden crawl
Hompage
Underground: Chalk Farm (9min)
Northern
About the pub:
In 2011 Mitchells and Butlers controversially ended the lease held for 17 years by Abigail Osborne and Tamsin Olivier, who had run it as an early gastropub. Now a managed outlet, it has not changed much since but if anything is more pubby. The right-hand side is the bar. There are dining rooms on the left and upstairs, called the Brunel Bar and the Engine Room because of a historic connection with the great engineer. The bar has stripped wood and big clear windows. There is a nice, large for the area, garden at the back with heaters and separate eating and drinking areas.
Back in 1973, there were only around 115 premises recorded as selling real ale in London. Although that number has grown many fold, sadly only three quarters of the original number still exist and are selling cask. But the fact that there are still some and that this pub is one of them is a cause for celebration. In mid Sept 2023 the guest was Salcombe Devon Amber.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
Primrose Hill (6min)
Primrose Hill
London Zoo (13min)
London Zoo
The Hawley Arms
Street: 2 Castelhaven Road
Operator: Independent
Open:
12:00 - 00 :00 Sunday-Thursday
12:00 - 01:00 Friday-Saturday
Map: Maida Valt to Camden crawl
Hompage
Underground: Camden Town (5min)
Northern
About the pub:
Large singe bar pub with eccentric, attractive interior which can get very busy. The high ceiling with ceiling fans, tall gilt mirrors and long windows to the street give a feel as if going back in time. Bare floorboards, sofas and newspapers add to the atmosphere. Food is available.
Background music can make it quite loud of an evening. If the music is not too loud, trains can be heard rumbling overhead.
This pub is convenient for Camden Market.
2019 saw the culmination of a year long battle to purchase the pub after their landlords announced they were selling up and they could not take the risk of it being sold to developers. It had previously closed due to a massive fire in Camden in 2008.
The Elephants Head
Street: 224 Camden High Street
Operator: Independent
Open:
10:00 - 02:00 Monday-Sunday
Map: Maida Valt to Camden crawl
Hompage
Underground: Camden Town (2min)
Northern
About the pub:
Tile-fronted pub at the heart of Camden market territory, given an unusual shape by its corner location. Some say the name derives from the Elephant Pale Ale brewed by the Camden Brewery which stood nearby and operated until 1925. However, it is more likely that it comes from the coat of arms of the Marquess of Camden, which is now on top of the London Borough of Camden coat of arms, an elephant's head.
Incidentally the Marquess actually lived in Chislehurst near Bromley, and used to commute to Camden. Many road names in Chislehurst and Camden are similar! Being handy for Camden Lock, the Roundhouse etc, can get crowded weekends.
Local Camden listing:- Mid 19th century public house on the corner of Camden High Street and Hawley Crescent which provides a visual termination to the contemporary terrace to its south and emphasises the corner. Tiled shopfront (which extends full length of side property on Hawley Crescent) with curved window to corner, dentil cornice to windows and parapet.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
The Golden Lion
Street: 88 Royal College Street
Operator: Independent
Open:
15:00 - 23:00 Monday-Friday
12:00 - 23:00 Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Maida Valt to Camden crawl
Hompage
Underground: Camden Town (8min)
Northern
About the pub:
A lovely and popular community pub. Saved from closure in 2013, the licensee and the local community, supported by Camden Council, waged a long campaign to prevent its conversion into flats. This came to its final and excellent conclusion with the sitting tenant buying the pub which he now leases out. Has lovely, tasteful decor complimenting its historical features, mainly its mirrored back bar. A real "back street community boozer".
Darts board and five mins walk from the tube and overground station. Toilets (including disabled access and stair lift) are downstairs. Now operating a fully functional kitchen with an award winning chef, with a changing menu making great use of seasonal produce. Listed as an asset of community value (ACV) by Camden Council.
Happy "hour" Monday - Saturday from 3pm-6pm, a selection of beers, wines and spirits for £3.95.
Local Camden listing:- Public House on corner of Royal College Street and Pratt Street. Existing building, in red brick with stone dressings, substantially dates to the 1890s. A striking and characterful exterior, with an eclectic mix of architectural styles. It forms a strong focal point in the townscape on its corner site and relates in townscape terms to the residential terraces on Pratt and Royal College Streets.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
