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A further crawl from Clerkenwell to Bloomsbury
by Edgar Belka
There were a few complaints that Edgar's article in the last TFP omitted various establishments. Sorry, we just couldn't fit them all into one edition, so we've tried to redress the balance here. Edgar carries on where he left off, completing his marathon crawl. Ed
The area I deliver the Full Pint to has a lot of pubs worth visiting, so here is a second selection of some of them. Keep in mind that a number of pubs on this route are closed Sat & Sun.The first pub is just around the corner from Farringdon station in Britton Street.
Jerusalem Tavern, 55 Britton Street, EC1M 5UQ.
St. Peter's Best Bitter, Wheat Beer, Organic Beer, Golden Ale, Winter Ale, Fruit Beer.
This is a small pub with an unusual layout, consisting of little nooks, and a small raised seating area. There is also a pavement area where seating is available. This pub can get crowded, especially in the early evening. Boasts a large range of St Peter's beers, and is London's only St. Peter's tied house. The entire pub can be booked for private functions. (Closed Sat & Sun).
From Britton Street cross Clerkenwell Road into Farringdon Lane to reach the next stop.
City Pride, 28 Farringdon Lane, EC1R 3AN.
Fullers London Pride, ESB, Honey Dew.
This is a pleasant single-bar pub with plenty of seating in a separate area from the main bar. Both areas have sliding doors so the entire pub can be open to the pavement, which is great on hot summer days.
Continue along to Farringdon Road and cross into Ray Street at the corner of the Guardian building. Turn right into Warner Street. The next pub is on the left just after the bridge.
Apple Tree, 45 Mount Pleasant, WC1X 0AE.
Greene King IPA, Abbot.
This is a large single bar pub, popular with staff from the nearby Mount Pleasant Sorting Office. There is a pool table in the upstairs function room. Greene King Triumph has been available in the past, but at the time of my visit this was being replaced with Brakspear Bitter.
Head along Mount Pleasant into Elm Street, then turn left and cross Grays Inn Road to the next pub.
Old Monk, 39-41 Grays Inn Road, WC1 8XP.
Adnams Bitter; Charles Wells Bombardier; Fullers London Pride; Shepard Neame Spitfire; Brakspear Bitter.
Converted from a wine bar, this is a lively pub that can get very busy in the early evenings. The pub boasts a varying range of beers. (Closed Sat & Sun).
The Yorkshire Grey (much publicised a few issues back) is just along Grays Inn Road. Sadly the owners, S&N, have put it up for sale, and the pub has discontinued brewing on the premises. Needless to say this has left it a shadow of its previous lively state. At the time of my visit it was still unclear what the ultimate fate of the pub would be. The pub is still worth a quick visit. Let's hope there's good news soon, and that brewing on the premises does re-commence.
Head back along Grays Inn Road to Northington Street. Here you pass two pubs visited in the last walk. The Kings Arms on Northington Street and the Rugby Tavern on the corner of Great James Street and Rugby Street. If you didn't try these on the last route now's your chance. From Rugby Street turn right into Lambs Conduit Street, then left into Great Ormond Street. Walk past the children's hospital, and cross Queen Square into Cosmo Place for a well-earned drink in the final pub on this route.
Swan, 7 Cosmo Place, WC1N 3AP.
Greene King IPA, Abbot; Theakston Best, Old Peculier; Courage Directors; Charles Wells Bombardier.
This is a lively and pleasant one-bar wood-panelled pub in a busy restaurant and hotel area. There are normally one or two guest beers. On this visit the guest beers were Greene King IPA and Charles Wells Bombardier.
From here you can head along Southampton Road, or go across Queen Square to get into Guildford Street, and then to Russell Square station.
Being that it was May, it was sad to note the lack of Mild on offer from any of the pubs on this route. Although May will have passed by the time you read this, if you fancy a pint of Mild I can always recommend the Wenlock Arms and the Head of Steam, both in the Good Beer Guide, and both serving a Mild as a regular beer.
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 10.
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