A king among pubs

One of the best examples of the 'gastro pub' genre. The owners came across a huge old Victorian pub in much need of repair, stripped all of the d?cor while retaining all the original features and established the best watering hole in this part of London. A cavernous bar area features plenty of tables and chairs as well as - for those clever enough to get there early - a couple of enormous leather sofas. Stacks of newspapers and magazines make it an ideal venue for whiling away a winter's afternoon while the two dining rooms are elegant examples of classic simplicity.

A good, varied menu, reasonably priced, offers the added dimension of making an evening of it by having a meal. An extensive wine list ensures you should find something to suit both budget and palate. It's usually worth booking.

And a very pleasant patio garden manages to stay in use for most of the year by the use of those enormous gas heaters. A great example of how a pub should work.

William IV
786 Harrow Road, NW10 5JX