The Gun Docklands – Great Food and a Fantastic Riverside Setting: I have to say that we were really looking forward to lunch at the Gun; we have friends living in Docklands, this part of London, and we have been there several times for the annual Carolling event, which comes complete with Dickensian Carol Singers […]
Staycation – the Lamb at Hindon, Wiltshire
The Lamb at Hindon – a Country Hotel and Pub for the perfect staycation With the beautiful weather we are having this year it’s a great time to stay in England, make the most of home attractions and enjoy our beautiful countryside. What better than a staycation at a traditional hotel and pub like the Lamb […]
Summer Staycation, Twickenham at The Alexander Pope Hotel and Pub
The Alexander Pope Hotel, Twickenham A staycation seemed a wonderful idea on the hottest day of the year in London, especially to leafy Twickenham in the South West of London on the banks of the Thames. The journey was under an hour but since the aircon in my car wasn’t working, we arrived very hot […]
Imperial Arms Chelsea
Call to ‘Arms’: Victorian pub revived on Kings Road Long frequented by the Chelsea Set, The Imperial Arms is situated on the Fulham end of Kings Road, Chelsea in what is known as the Chelsea Design Quarter – there’s a wealth of top-end design, furniture and interiors shops. Once you’ve finished fitting out your luxury […]
The Princess Victoria returns to West London
The Princess Victoria: Imagine your favourite local pub shutting down unexpectedly. That’s what happened a few months ago in Shepherd’s Bush, but hoorah! The Princess Victoria, built in 1829 and one of the original ‘gin palaces’, has recently reopened having undergone an extensive refurbishment by new owners Three Cheers Pubs. The even better news is that it’s […]
The Duck and Rice – A Pre-Christmas Chinese Feast:
The Duck and Rice, Soho: When I first worked in London there was a small Chinese cafe on the way from Leicester Square Tube to Lisle Street where our offices were based. It had a Chinese typewriter in the window – a mysterious device that came with ‘gears’ to allow the character sets to be […]
Returning to my Manor – The Manor Arms in Streatham
To The Manor Born! Whilst born in Clapham, and living in Norbury throughout my childhood; I went to school in Streatham, and spent many evenings during my latter teens in a bar called the Grape Affair (long gone). I went away to university in Birmingham, and then lived in various places, but returned to Streatham […]
The Pickled Hen – Marylebone
The Pickled Hen Gastropub: Sitting in the Marriott Hotel behind Marble Arch The Pickled Hen is a largish Gastropub with an attractive white tile and wood interior and an intriguing all-day food offer. The menu has a modern European slant and ranges from a complete meal to sharing plates ideal for a visit with friends, family […]
The Bickley – a fine local in Chislehurst
Chislehurst Caves and The Bickley: I have to admit to not visiting Chislehurst since I was quite a small girl when we were taken on a school trip to see the Chislehurst Caves. I remember being disappointed at the time as I had anticipated seeing stalactites and stalagmites in the caves, and instead was faced […]
Royal Oak – Review
Twickenham’s New Community Pub – the Royal Oak: A couple of months ago I reviewed The Eagle pub in Ladbroke Grove, part of the burgeoning Hippo Inns group, who are creating community pubs with good nosh and freshly brewed Truman beer straight from glorious copper tanks above the bar. I enjoyed my night at The […]