Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Category: UK

London – Tower Hamlets (Borough of) – Limehouse – Craft Beer Co

I’ve been to a couple of other pubs in this small chain, notably the Brighton and Clerkenwell ones and I’m going to make an effort to tick all them off my list over the next few weeks. This one is located pretty much under Limehouse DLR and railway station, indeed the rail bridge is visible in the above photo.

I arrived shortly after it opened at 17:00, which is a little later than before the current crisis when it opened earlier on in the afternoon.

The pub was formerly known as the Railway Tavern and was operated by Charrington’s, a larger brewery who became part of Bass.

The beer menu, which is different to what is listed as the latest one on the web-site. On checking, this is because they haven’t updated their web-site since July, which isn’t perhaps ideal. Anyway, there’s a decent list of beer styles here, although a few of these beers aren’t particularly well reviewed, many are from smaller breweries and so it’s good to support them. The Mexican Cake which I had a couple of weeks is on there, but although it’s a quite brilliant beer (one of the best that I’ve had), I felt I’ve tried it enough in 2020 at that price.The Pentuple from Hoppin’ Frog sounds amazing, but it’s nearly £30 per pint and I wasn’t feeling that decadent.

I went for a third of the Strip and Drift from Polly’s, a small brewery in Wales, and the staff member apologised that she had over-poured it, although the pub didn’t charge for that. This wasn’t a problem for me. It’s not my normal beer style, but experimentation is the key as I’m sure someone once said, and this was delightful. I’m not used to the flavours in this kind of beer, but there was a sweetness, pineapple (which isn’t in there and no-one else noticed, so I’m likely just wrong on that), citrus and even some biscuit. OK, I think I’m going overboard here again, but there was a decadence and richness to this that was rather lovely.

The staff member was friendly and engaging throughout, although she got a bit behind as she was trying offer table service, which meant that two tables walked out without ordering. I felt that the atmosphere was relaxed though and I felt really welcome, this is definitely one of my favourite pubs in this area. It’s not a large pub and Monday is the day that they don’t serve food, so I imagine that it’s often quite hard to get a table. It was also clear that many of the customers were regulars, but the pub didn’t have a cliquey feel.

So, I liked this pub and I very much like this chain. It might not be the cheapest, but I like the innovative choice of beers that they have. Nice.

October 26, 2020
London – Kensington and Chelsea (Borough of) – National Army Museum (The King’s Man Film Set)

This post is mostly just photos and it’s of the set of the King’s Man film, which is the third film in the Kingsman series and also the prequel, just to make things more confusing. The film is meant to be released in February 2021, although I’m not sure that anyone knows what is happening with the world of cinema at the moment. The film was initially meant to be released in late 2019, so the production team are probably quite fed up with the whole thing at the moment.

Anyway, it was evident from the displays at the National Army Museum that a lot of attention and care has gone into the clothing and sets, they’re detailed even when standing close up. And now that I’ve seen these props in real life, I might actually watch the film. I have seen the first in the series, but not the second, with this prequel being from the time of the First World War and the run-up to that.

October 26, 2020
London – Tower Hamlets (Borough of) – Canary Wharf – Brewdog

Carrying on with my theme of working around the Brewdog pubs of the UK, this is their outlet at Canary Wharf. As may be visible from the photo, their rolling shutter was broken and so one of their staff had managed to get underneath to get in, but it was impossible for anyone else. This did mean that the inside of the pub was closed, but they could serve customers with the staff getting in and out via the fire escape.

So, this was the limit of the Brewdog seating, this covered external area which was actually rather comfortable. There were a couple of other customers during the time that I was here, but a surprisingly small number of customers who tried to get in. This can’t be a good time for Brewdog at Canary Wharf even if they could open up properly.

The Velvet Vengeance is Brewdog’s own beer and I’ve never had this one before. Poured badly and in a glass that was slightly chipped at the top, it wasn’t a tour de force from the staff. But, they were clearly in trying circumstances and they were unfailingly polite. There were tastes of chocolate and biscuits I thought, with it all being smooth, although not quite as rich as I had expected. Still decent though and at the appropriate slightly chilled temperature.

So, this was all perfectly OK, although it’s not quite the visit that I had expected and there are of course no photos of the interior. I’m sure that I’ll have chance to pop in again at some point in the future though.

October 26, 2020
London – Kensington and Chelsea (Borough of) – National Army Museum (Note Written in Blood)

Well, this is cheery, a note written in 1810 by Joseph Fenwick in his own blood. The note reads “I am shot thro the body and arms – for God’s sake send me a surgeon, English if possible. If I do not recover God bless you all”. Unfortunately, Joseph died shortly afterwards.

The note was written to Colonel Richard Blunt and this note was given to the National Army Museum by his grandson, Lieutenant-Colonel G E E Blunt. Fenwick had been wounded at Chamusca, in Portugal, whilst fighting for the 3rd Foot Regiment (the Buffs) in the Peninsular War.

October 26, 2020
London – Brent (Borough of) – Wembley – Ibis Wembley (again)

I was at this hotel a few days ago (well, two days ago) and all was well with the stay. This stay again cost just a few pounds thanks to the Accor offer that they’ve currently got going on, which is most lovely and represented really excellent value for money.

I commented on this lack of reception area in my last post, and it failed them on this visit. I had to traipse over to the bar to get help after standing here for too long (although I accept by traipse, I mean walk about three metres) and then the barman had to traipse back to the office. I don’t know how this set-up helps them, a traditional reception desk would make things easier. It didn’t take long to get checked-in and, anyway, I’m sounding grumpy and I’m not, I like this hotel.

The room, which didn’t have the fancy television I had the other day. The room was again on the top floor, just around the corner from my previous room. As a positive, this television didn’t keep turning itself on.

The view was a little less exciting than before, but still rather lovely.

This was the free welcome drink, I had the same Goose Island option as before (although I’ve got muddled up on Untappd as I seem to have listed one wrongly), it’s a perfectly good option. I wonder whether they also operate Ibis Heathrow, as they have the identical drinks choices as that hotel. The barman was friendly and engaging, it’s a comfortable bar area they have themselves on the ground floor, although it’s not that large.

Anyway, it was another comfortable stay, with everything being clean and organised. Keenly priced again at under £40, even without the Accor offers, it seemed quiet and I don’t think that they had that many guests in the hotel.

October 26, 2020
London – Kensington and Chelsea (Borough of) – National Army Museum (Wellington’s Despatch Case)

This is the despatch case that was used by the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War of 1808 until 1814 and at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The National Army Museum acquired it in 1973, but their web-site isn’t very good at providing the provenance of items or where they’ve been. The museum notes Wellington’s quote, when asked why he was so successful, of “I was always on the spot – I saw everything; and did everything for myself”.

October 26, 2020
London – Kensington and Chelsea (Borough of) – National Army Museum (Napoleon’s Horse Marengo)

This is Marengo (something like 1793 to 1831), or at least what is left of him, who was Napoleon’s horse which he used in campaigns between 1800 and 1815. When Napoleon was defeated by the Duke of Wellington, the horse was taken to London and he lived here until he died in 1831. It was decided to preserve his bones and he was given to the Royal United Services Institute, which was founded by the Duke of Wellington, also in 1831. The Institute later asked Wellington for the skeleton of his horse, Copenhagen, so they could be displayed together, but this permission was refused.

Now at the National Army Museum, I think the skeleton is clumsily displayed and I wasn’t sure why he wasn’t placed in an area of his own. It transpires that this was what the previous museum authorities thought was a good idea, it’s a recent innovation that he’s been shoved in this cluttered display. He’s missing a couple of hooves, which were taken for souvenirs and are now displayed elsewhere.

October 26, 2020
London – Kensington and Chelsea (Borough of) – Antelope

This pub was built in 1827 and was designed to be used by the servants who worked in the neighbouring large residential properties. Today, it’s operated by Fuller’s and is listed in the Good Beer Guide, so the latter reason meant that I felt the need for a quick visit.

It’s quite an atmospheric pub, my photo is limited in scope here because there were people standing on the right-hand side who might not have wanted to be included. The welcome was prompt and polite, with the pub taking orders via the app, although table service did seem to be offered. I ordered via the app whilst sitting about a metre from the bar and I nearly reached across and got the drink before the staff member came to deliver it, but I thought that might break their system. There are some separate rooms, all traditionally decorated, with a cosy feel though.

A sporting theme runs through the pub, although I’m not entirely sure why or for what reason in particular.

Fuller’s pubs rarely offer me my desired dark beers of decadence, but the beers that they have seem to nearly always be well kept. This isn’t my normal beer style of choice, but the Gale’s Seafarers Ale was fine, quite a light and fruity flavour. The pub has a good reputation for food looking at the reviews and there were a few customers dining when I was there, although I limited myself to Mini Cheddars. For anyone visiting here, it’s probably also worth popping into the nearby Star Tavern as well.

October 26, 2020
London – City of Westminster – Star Tavern

I suspect most people have to come looking for this pub, it’s not one you’d easily stumble on, tucked away on Belgrave Mews. It’s in the heart of the diplomatic area of London, with the German and Austrian embassies being located over the road.

The history is one of the selling points of the pub and although it has been serving customers since the Victorian period, it’s the 1950s and 1960s that perhaps are the most notorious. This period was when the pub was frequented with criminals and also many celebrities from the period, not least figures such as Princess Margaret, Diana Dors, Clement Freud, Elizabeth Taylor and Bing Crosby. It’s also where the Great Train Robbery was planned, in the room upstairs, and where corrupt police officers were known to hang out.

The pub themselves have some history about the building and its characters on their web-site, I like it when an effort is made like this. The pub also haven’t glorified the crimes that took place, which caused substantial suffering to many, so it remains an intriguing part of the history.

The main room downstairs, all rather comfortable and cosy. The welcome was friendly and the beer selection reasonable, mostly Fuller’s since it’s one of their pubs.

The half pint of ESB and bacon crisps, reasonably priced for the location, and the beer was everything it should be in terms of the taste and temperature.

I liked this pub, all laid-back and comfortable, with the clientele seemingly much more genteel than they perhaps once were. The pub is listed in the Good Beer Guide, but that might be an under-statement, it has been in every single issue which as of 2017 was an achievement just five pubs had managed. These are this pub, the Buckingham Arms in Westminster, the Square & Compass in Swanage, the Queen’s Head in Cambridge and the Roscoe Head in Liverpool. They received their 45th entry award in 2017 which was presented by the brilliant Roger Protz, so not long until they hit 50 years of entries in the guide. A remarkable achievement.

October 26, 2020
London – Kensington and Chelsea (Borough of) – National Army Museum (REME)

This is the display of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) corps at the National Army Museum. The REME also have their own museum at RAF Lyneham in God’s own county of Wiltshire, who the National Army Museum co-operates with. The smock in the top-right of the above photo is from the 1980s and the body armour in the bottom-right is from the 2003 Gulf War in Iraq.

A recruitment poster from the 1980s for REME.

Not on public display, but this similar poster to the above is on the museum’s web-site.

Cap and badge from the late 1950s.

A cap badge from the 1950s, from the museum’s study collection.

Uniform patches from the late 1950s.

October 25, 2020