This former Wenlock Brewery pub dates from 1938 and still retains many original features. The outside is pure 1930s, with ground floor faience tiling, brick upper storeys and a ceramic “Wenlock” plaque above the corner entrance. Two bars; rooftop beer garden; "granny annex". The original building was first licensed in 1776, spending its first year as the Three Compasses. Food offering includes Sunday roasts.
Back in 1973, there were only around 115 premises recorded as selling real ale in London. Although that number has grown many fold, sadly only three quarters of the original number still exist and are selling cask. But the fact that there are still some and that thos pub is one of them is a cause for celebration.
Card payment only.
Historic Interest
Local Camden listing:- Public House on corner of Whitfield Street and Howland Street. Dating to post 1918, replacing a former pub on the same site. Demonstrates the detailing of this period including curved projecting lintels, steel windows, faience tiling to shopfront, and retains decorative elements including light fittings either side of entrance, fascia sign and brewery sign on the canted corner (Wenlock Brewery was based in Wenlock Road, Hackney). Attractively intact example of a public house of this era.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
This pub retains two completely separate rooms with their own external doors, but joined by interconnecting internal doorways via the central vestible.
This former Wenlock Brewery pub dates from 1938 and still retains some original internal features, and also original tiled brewery signage on the exterior. Both rooms have original bar counters with fielded panelling on the fronts as well as original wood framed fireplaces with modern tiles. Unfortunately the counter front in the corner bar has been painted light grey, whereas the attractively curved counter in the rear bar remains unsullied in that respect. The bar-backs in both rooms are modern, and the central vestibule entrance also appears to be modern. The front corner bar has a small amount of fielded panelling on the right hand wall, whereas the walls in the rear right room have fielded panelling to picture frame height.
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 1 regular beer.
Carpenters Arms, London
Source: Local