Bars & Pubs

Wandsworth wander
Distance five miles
Pub count six

Start at Clapham Junction railway station. Take the main exit where, to the left, you’ll see the imposing Falcon (1) on the corner at the crossroads. This late Victorian pub boasts what some say is the longest continuous bar counter in the country. It can get very busy and noisy in here but is nonetheless worth a visit. Beers are usually Adnams and Fuller’s, and food is available. Feature continues

Upon leaving, walk back past the station entrance and up St John’s Hill, over the rail bridge and five minutes beyond the traffic lights. The Beehive (2), on the left, is a good, no-frills pub where a mix of customers share a small, convivial space. Acquired by Fuller’s in 1980, this pub is clean and neat, and knows precisely what a local should be like. It’s primarily a drinkers’ pub, although bar food is available.

Coming out of the Beehive, retrace your steps and turn right on to Spencer Road. A left turn at the end of this short street brings you to the Freemasons (3). Retaining some of its former corner-site grandeur, this pub has nonetheless been thoroughly smartened up to an extent that would normally put off this traditionalist old bore, but I like it and so do lots of others. High and airy, with large windows, the pub has an array of comfy, modern seating around the bay frontage. It’s really a well-regarded gastropub with some foreign beers on draught as well as real ales like Taylor Landlord and usually an Everards beer.

On leaving, cross the main road and follow Spencer Park, with the railway on one side and Wandsworth Common on the other. Eventually you reach a Victorian Gothic pile, the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, which, despite its size, is surprisingly well hidden – and in here is your next pitstop. Originally built as an asylum, it later became a school, hospital and, during WWII, was used by MI5 and MI6. Nazi supremo Rudolf Hess was apparently detained in the cellar dungeon. Now the building houses a dance and drama school, flats and studios, workshops and Le Gothique (4) restaurant and bar, one of London’s finest gastropubs. It is closed on Sundays and usually used for private parties on Saturdays, so it’s advisable to phone ahead to check. Beers are from Ballards, Young’s and Shepherd Neame.

Leaving Le Gothique, exit under the archway and follow the quiet Fitzhugh Grove before emerging on to the busy dual carriageway of Trinity Road. Turn left again to keep the Common on your left, and the next pub can be seen on the other side of the road. This is the County Arms (5), a refurbished Young’s tied house. Bits of the old pub remain, such as a mosaic, vestiges of screenwork with some nice etched glass, splendid fireplaces and decent woodwork. Beyond this is a large and secluded garden area. The pub probably sells more Pimm’s and wine than bitter, there is nothing wrong with the beer quality.

Time to explore Wandsworth Common. Cross the road again and head off down Dorlcote Road to join the common. Turn right on to a cinder track and follow this to an attractive pond, then on to the busy road close to the railway bridge. The imposing bulk of the Hope (6) is on the corner. The real pull here is the beer, which is a changing range of unusual ales, many coming from microbreweries, plus several interesting foreign beers. It’s a popular place and can get rather full.