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From St John's Wood to Chalk Farm
by John Cryne
A four corner pub crawl
Although this looks a long way on the tube map, the distance in reality is about a 30 minutes brisk walk. This crawl should be done in daylight to get the best out of it so take advantage of the last of the early evening light or, as enjoyable, make it a leisurely weekend stroll. There are some good places for lunch! Alternatively, if time is short, this crawl can be done in two parts; via St John's Wood tube and Chalk Farm tube. The former pubs are ideally situated for Lord's Cricket Ground.
Start with the Star, on St John's Wood Terrace. This corner pub serves Worthington Best Bitter and Bass. The central bar sparkles with rows of gleaming glasses and the drinking areas are broken up sympathetically with wooden screens. There is lots of dark wood and the pub exudes an air of comfortable conviviality, which is aided by the light coming through yellow coloured panes of glass. Don't miss the Toby Jug windows. A small outside drinking area is at the front of the pub.
Come out of the pub and turn directly left into Charlbert Street. Then turn left into Allitsen Road and walk along to the corner of Townsend Road for the second corner pub, the New Inn. Built in 1810, this Greene King pub is unusual in that it offers B&B. There is a separate raised eating area, where a variety of food is available from steaks to mussels plus traditional lunches on Sunday. Live, easy listening music on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon provides an interesting diversion. The street is quite quiet and the outside drinking area when the weather is warm, makes a pleasant place to sit. The beers are IPA and Abbot. Web site: www.newinnlondon.co.uk.
Now head off along Allitsen Road and into St Edmunds Terrace until you reach Primrose Hill park. Head across the park towards the corner of Primrose Hill Road and Regent's Park Road for the third corner pub, the Queens. If you have time (and the energy) take a detour half way across the park and head left up the hill for some of the best views of London. Or pay a visit to Regent's Park down to your right.
The Queens is operated by Geronimo Inns but the beer on sale is Young's Bitter and Special. The bar is long and thin and the floors are bare wood with the exception of a raised area with a raffetta carpet and plush seats. There are some original features, including stained glass windows, which give interesting light plays when the sun is shining but the overall effect is quite modern. Upstairs is a separate restaurant with white linen tablecloths. Booking is recommended but no bookings are taken after 1 pm on Sunday. There is some outside seating on the street which provides an interesting place to watch the world go by.
If none of the pubs to date have taken your fancy for eating then left along Regent's park Road provides a selection of restaurants and tea shops as well as an odd mix of independently run outlets. Carry on down this road until the road hits Gloucester Road. Opposite, on the corner is the Pembroke Castle and the final stop.
This pub is owned by Barracuda Pub Company selling Greene King IPA and Abbot. It's a spacious one bar pub with a walled outside seating area. There are stained glass windows at the back of the pub but the windows at the front and side are large and clear, making the pub light and airy. The ladies' toilet door has original etched glass. The big pillars and raised drinking area with a wooden and metal balustrade give interest. Upstairs there is a pool and television room, which is available for hire. Food is value for money, with burgers and the usual fare but with oriental overtones. There were some good vegetarian choices when visited.
Turn right out of the pub along Regent's Park Road and onto Chalk Farm Road and then to the tube.
John Cryne
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 17.
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