Prince of Wales

Hidden in the corner of an archetypal, residential Georgian square, this traditional Shepherd Neame pub wouldn’t be out of place on the edge of a village green somewhere in semi-rural Kent.

Well kept inside and out, albeit with few nods to modernity, the pub has flower boxes along the front window, while the walls of the snug and cushioned interior are lined with a Victorian advert for St Jacob’s Oil and framed portraits of 19th-century cricketers – it’s not far from the Oval, and gets particularly busy after close of play during Test matches and one-dayers.

The beers are Shepherd Neame standards, Spitfire and the like; the clientele on non-cricket days are largely made up of members of the hobnobbing local media gentry. A very agreeable little pub.