An old coaching inn with beams and wood panelling, as rebuilt in 1747. The smaller back bar is accessible by a separate door or through the end of the main bar. Next to the original cobbled courtyard, stables and outbuildings have been converted to a function room for hire. Up to six beers often feature Courage Best Bitter, Sharp's and Mighty Oak. The landlord has been here for over 35 years..
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
A number of Victorian and inter-war fixtures survive in this fiercely traditional pub which has changed little in over forty years – perhaps longer.
Some sources claim the pub – or a part of it - is 450 years old, others that it was rebuilt in 1742. Its frontage was installed in 1875. Inside there are two distinct rooms. Originally there was no access between them but now there is an unusual arrangement whereby customers may walk through the bar servery from one room to the other.
The smaller left-hand room has an old vestibule entrance. The bar counter frontage has fielded panelling that appears to be inter-war. The bar back looks to be Victorian with bevelled mirrors and columns with capitals topped by a decorative cornice.
The larger right-hand bar has a long, elegantly curving counter with fielded panelling below it that dates from inert-war times. Like the counter in the left-hand room, it sits on a stone plinth that does not look to be of any age, suggesting a more recent re-fitting. At the far right is a smaller room down three steps; it appears that this was once an entirely separate building into which the pub expanded many years ago. Or could it be that this part was in fact the original pub and it expanded to the west?
At the rear, the pub’s old coach yard is a potent reminder of olden times.
Claims to be a 450-year-old pub with a frontage rebuilt in 1875. The smaller left-hand bar has an old vestibule entrance. The bar counter front has fielded panelling that appears to be inter-war and the counter top is old but is strangely sitting on a stone plinth that does not look to be of any age. The bar back could be Victorian with bevelled mirrors and columns with capitals and a decorative frieze at the top. The dado panelling might be old and the bay window has 1930s stained and leaded windows.
The main bar on the right has a curving bar counter of fielded panelling on a plinth that does not look old and here the counter top is modern. The bar back fitting looks 1970s and the separate small area on the right on a lower level has no old fittings. What is rare here it that you are allowed to walk through the servery to get from one bar to another. If you can, take a look at the West Ham Boys Boxing Club gym at the rear of the building - Training Times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5-6pm; Contact Lianne Jameson on 020 8472 3614. Terry Spinks started his career here.
This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 1 regular beer.
Black Lion, Plaistow
Changing beers typically include: Adnams (varies) , Sharp's - Doom Bar , Timothy Taylor - Landlord
Source: National