Angelic, London

Prominent corner-site former Watney Combe Reid pub with impressive surviving decorative features.

There are good things to discover here even though this corner-site former Watney Combe Reid rebuilt pub has been much modernised and opened out. It seems to date from the late Victorian years and this is certainly true of the surviving fittings. At that time there would have been at least five internal divisions, as suggested by the numerous external doors. The big delight is a prominent ceramic frieze which is displayed both in the front area of the pub and above part of the servery: it has a cream surround and stylised floral detail. There is a fine six-bay, columned bar-back fitting (with modern modifications) facing on two sides with some semi-circular pediments and alternating balustrade. The bar counter seems original but is now painted a lurid blue. If one looks closely it is evident there were seven opening sections (see the hinges and keyholes): such doors are explained by the intention of servicing the beer engines in days past but why they are so numerous here (and absent on the left-hand side) is a bit of mystery. Note the mosaic at the corner entrance. It is extended on the left to what would have been a corridor off which various drinking compartments would have been accessed. If you look closely at the counter on the left and right-hand sides, at the corners are slots which would have no doubt housed partitions in this front area of the pub.