Walthamstow updates

[LPE]

Ventured into the Ferry Inn the other day after many years of absence. It's always been one of those pubs that should be so much better than what it is. And it appears nothing has changed

Very well put.

It’s a pub I want to love but every visit is disappointing.

[OyinbO]

Yeah I get it. I've been in twice, and never really felt an urge to return. Does it have potential? I dunno...

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

It has potential, but I suspect it’s a pub that is reliant on its regulars and doesn’t want to change too much as its location probably doesn’t lend itself well to trying to attract newcomers

[Dunners]

It must get loads of luvvies walking past as they take their Tarquins and Jacindas on a walk around the Wetlands, and that lot love a pub with decent food.

[RedDwarf 1881]

It must get loads of luvvies walking past as they take their Tarquins and Jacindas on a walk around the Wetlands, and that lot love a pub with decent food.

Absolutely . The Princess of Wales pub in Leabridge Rd is packed with them . Baby’s in prams and others strapped to their dad’s chest like they were a fashion accessory. Also little dogs sitting around looking bored. Incidentally they also charge middle class prices for a pint.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Feel personally attacked here

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

It must get loads of luvvies walking past as they take their Tarquins and Jacindas on a walk around the Wetlands, and that lot love a pub with decent food.

Absolutely . The Princess of Wales pub in Leabridge Rd is packed with them . Baby’s in prams and others strapped to their dad’s chest like they were a fashion accessory. Also little dogs sitting around looking bored. Incidentally they also charge middle class prices for a pint.

I popped in there a couple of years back on my cycle route expecting it to be the shithole I had to sit in the garden of with a lemonade and a packet of crisps as a six year old. Totally soulless now. Even in the 2000s it had a bit of a vibe to it, helped by being frequented by some of the fit indie girls who worked in Cavern Records at the time

[Give it to Jabo]

Has that Tim Martin got something against Waltham Forest/Redbridge - closing both The Drum and The George?

Cue: many divisive replies…

[Max B Gold]

It must get loads of luvvies walking past as they take their Tarquins and Jacindas on a walk around the Wetlands, and that lot love a pub with decent food.

Absolutely . The Princess of Wales pub in Leabridge Rd is packed with them . Baby’s in prams and others strapped to their dad’s chest like they were a fashion accessory. Also little dogs sitting around looking bored. Incidentally they also charge middle class prices for a pint.

How much for pint?

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

I was in the nags head in Walthamstow on Monday and got charged £7.50 for a neck oil. It’s enough to make me jump back on the wagon

[Proposition Joe]

Feel personally attacked here

Have to admit, didn't expect the "pub has sh!t food" angle to pivot to a GB News rant about men looking after their kids, but life's full of surprises.

[Proposition Joe]

Have run past the Princess of Wales so many times but, despite a nice location, never really felt the urge to check it out.

Further up Lea Bridge, what's the Hare and Hounds like? Seems to have been smartened up relatively recently. And The European (?) near the junction with Hoe St? Was a real dive before it closed, can't remember what it used to be called.

[WilliamTell]

European was the Drum https://camra.org.uk/pubs/european-leyton-155095 Lots of ex Wetherspoons in the East End. I'll name them if it's important.

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

Was the drum before I think? I always forget it exists. But there’s something inherently grotty about the bakers arms area.

Princess of wales’ issue isn’t so much kids or men doing their responsibilities, is more that it’s felt a bit like the ferryboat - nice enough in there, but little to no atmosphere and feels much less uninviting than a pleasant pub next to waterway should be.

Anyone complaining about small children in pubs should be made to sit in the nags head and talk to the mental landlady who puts up all the signs

[Dunners]

If we're doing a run down on Walthamstow pubs, then a special mention needs to go to the Lord Palmerston for resisting all temptation and remaining a Carling-infested refuge from the encroachment of gentrification. Lager, pool, darts and bar snacks. None of that fancy food muck.

[Proposition Joe]

Not been in a while, but do have a soft spot for the Palmerston for those exact reasons.

[Proposition Joe]

Was the drum before I think? I always forget it exists. But there’s something inherently grotty about the bakers arms area.

Princess of wales’ issue isn’t so much kids or men doing their responsibilities, is more that it’s felt a bit like the ferryboat - nice enough in there, but little to no atmosphere and feels much less uninviting than a pleasant pub next to waterway should be.

Anyone complaining about small children in pubs should be made to sit in the nags head and talk to the mental landlady who puts up all the signs

Is the Nags the one with the cats?

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

Yes

[Mistadobalina]

Nags head refurb has put me right off. Has leant so heavily into middle class shabby chic that it's self parody. Only pub in the village I actually enjoy is the castle (which is the epitome of what RD is skewering really but at least does a very good roast).

Lord Palmerston did gammon and chips for less than a tenner last time I went. One of my favourite pubs in the area.

The European is right near where I live but the combination of name and EU flag on the signage seems so smugly Awesomestow that I'm not sure I'll be able to give it a chance.

Hare and hounds is fine but nothing more.

[Pugwash]

Was the drum before I think? I always forget it exists. But there’s something inherently grotty about the bakers arms area.

Princess of wales’ issue isn’t so much kids or men doing their responsibilities, is more that it’s felt a bit like the ferryboat - nice enough in there, but little to no atmosphere and feels much less uninviting than a pleasant pub next to waterway should be.

Anyone complaining about small children in pubs should be made to sit in the nags head and talk to the mental landlady who puts up all the signs

Flossy, Glass collector at the Rising Sun during it's 80s-90s heyday, for a woman with severe learning/mental health issues in her youth, She has come a long way

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

She may well have come a long way. Doesn’t mean that a pub with literally dozens of signs up forbidding various things, and a tendency to lose her sh*t at random couples she perceives as having broke a rule, is much fun to spend time in

[LPE]

POW is a homogenous Young’s in 2025 offering: soulless bright interior which has no character and targeting a demographic of middle class Chardonnay quaffers who are happy paying close to £10 for a glass of house white or £15 Aperols.

The company and its houses are so far removed from their origins and punters of early 2000s and before. Most of their pubs feel they are marginalising working class people and those who aren’t dining on a weekend.

[LPE]

Nags head refurb has put me right off. Has leant so heavily into middle class shabby chic that it's self parody. Only pub in the village I actually enjoy is the castle (which is the epitome of what RD is skewering really but at least does a very good roast).

Lord Palmerston did gammon and chips for less than a tenner last time I went. One of my favourite pubs in the area.

The European is right near where I live but the combination of name and EU flag on the signage seems so smugly Awesomestow that I'm not sure I'll be able to give it a chance.

Hare and hounds is fine but nothing more.

Remarkable Pubs, who have bought it, have run boozers in East London since 1985. This is their 17th. Really experienced family business operators who enhance pubs. If you’re in that area it will be a huge upgrade on the William, POW, Bootlaces and the alco-crèche Castle.

[Max B Gold]

On the subject of terrible landlords. I was once warned about swearing whilst standing at the bar of the old Masonic Arms. Landlord said if there was anymore I would be the recipient of a life ban.

His aversion to bad swears apparently came from his prominent position within one of the local churches but the man of great virtue succomed to an extra marital affair.

From then on adultery and associated behaviours was always part of the bar side conversation when he was within earshot. Needless to say I had the last laugh.

[CharlieO]

I was in the nags head in Walthamstow on Monday and got charged £7.50 for a neck oil. It’s enough to make me jump back on the wagon

Yeah, bearing in mind Neckoil is now the Fosters of the craft ale world the pricing is risible, is 7.20 in the george and dragon wanstead which seems incredible when they have cheaper better options, but the NH has set a high bar.