Shepherds Crook, Portsmouth

This prominent corner house on a busy street still prominently displays the name of its original owners, Portsmouth United Breweries, and was constructed in an unusual terracota design - unique among pubs in Portsmouth. Dating from 1912 and designed by A E Cogswell, the pub caters for an almost exclusively local trade, with football fans visiting on match days. The pub has one large bar room, divided into distinctive areas. The front area is parquet floored, where a pool table can be found - which is free to use at all times. High tables and stools comprising the seating. A large papier-mache Portsmouth crest is suspended from the ceiling above the entrance porch. An ornate, green-tiled fireplace is a focus point and an original survivor from the pub's days as a United Breweries house. Across from the bar counter can be found a number of comfortable sofas. The walls of the pub are decorated with Portsmouth Football Club memorabilia - this being the closest pub to the team's Fratton Park ground. A dart board can be found towards the rear of the pub, where there is also access to an outside patio area.