Bars & Pubs

Waterside stroll Feature continues

Walk down Warrington Crescent with its fine terraces, turning right into Formosa Street. On the next corner is the Prince Alfred (2). Even though this is another unique pub with a refit dating back to the golden age of London pub architecture at the end of the nineteenth century, the Alfred has sadly been subject to an unforgiveable and inappropriate café/restaurant-style makeover. However, let’s appreciate the good that remains. The frontage with its splendid curved, etched windows has been restored to its former glory, and there’s a series of separate compartments divided by timber and glass screens. Having denigrated the architectural makeover of the eatery, it’s only fair to say that if you eat here you are unlikely to be disappointed. Beers come from the larger brewers.

Leave the pub and continue along Formosa Street until it reaches the Grand Union Canal. Walk along Blomfield Street with the canal on your right. This part of the Grand Junction canal, as it was then known, was completed in 1801 with the later extension of the Regent’s Canal. Take the second left into Warwick Place and you will come upon the attractive façade of the Warwick Castle (3) with its splendid iron bracket and large pendant outside, overseen by a lousy new pub sign. Despite some modernisation, there are still many Victorian features including stained and etched glass, the bar counter and a lovely black and white marble fire surround in the second room. Fuller’s London Pride is among the beers, and food is available. Walk back down to the canal and continue the few yards along to the bridge. An old lock-keeper’s cottage is visible below as you cross the brigde and, on the right hand side, the attractive Little Venice canal basin. Just immediately across the bridge is another little find, and your last pub of the day. Despite its gastronomic pretensions, the Bridge House (4) is a pleasant and laid-back place, housed in an attractive neoclassical building. The beers are interesting, with Yorkshire duo Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter served alongside a guest ale.

Walk along the canal on the Blomfield Road past the Little Venice basin until you reach Edgware Road. On your right, buses heading south will take you to Edgware Road underground station and towards Marble Arch and Victoria.

CAMRA’s book ‘London Pub Walks’ (£8.99) by Bob Steel is available from all major bookshops or www.camra.org.uk.