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Greene King pub
This Greene King owned pub is sited in a quiet road within the suburb of Plaistow, just off Burnt Ash Lane. There is a strong community presence and pride in this historic venue, which serves the local area.
The present Victorian building was revamped in the 1930s to provide two bars at the front, but the partition between the bars has been removed and the front bar is now one open plan area. At one time there must have been an off-sales compartment between the two parts, as indicated by the double doorway at the front of the building. There is also a back bar, distinct in its 1930s design, with a glazed advertising pane.
Listed under the CAMRA London Pubs Group (on their London Local Inventory) as having an interior of local historic interest.
The Green Chain Walk passes by the premises, providing a convenient stopping point for walkers.
"Prince Frederick" is unique as a British pub name and commemorates the eldest son of King George II (and father of King George III). Born in 1707, he was the Prince of Wales from 1729 until his sudden death in 1751, allegedly from being hit by a cricket ball. As a patron of the arts, he popularised "Rule, Britannia!" by Thomas Arne in 1740.
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There is currently a spirited campaign to prevent this pub from being sold by Greene King:
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/24614277.prince-frederick-pub-sundridge-community-fights-closure/
Historic Interest
Originally called the Prince Frederick's Head, this former weatherboarded beer-house dates from 1723 and served the village of Plaistow and local farms when the area was open countryside (the first recorded owner dates from 1761). The pub was then rebuilt with a new frontage in 1890. A small brewery is believed to have stood opposite the pub. Nichol Lane was once a country track, formerly called Hollow Bottom and then allegedly renamed after a 16th C. publican. The area to the north of Plaistow remained in use for farming until housing development started in the 1920s. Further historic details about the pub and locality can be found in "Not a Mile from Milk Street" by Andrew J Martin (2nd edition 2012)
There was a pub here called the Prince Frederick’s Head in 1761, just ten years after the death of the eponymous prince. The present building is Victorian and, importantly, it was revamped in the 1930s giving it the appealing character it has today. The two front bars were divided by a wall with a narrow pair of doors allowing access from one side to the other but this was removed in 2015 so the pub is now a series of areas. At one time there must have been an off-sales compartment between the two parts, as suggested by the now disused doorway in the frontage. Both parts have three-quarter height wall panelling and distinctive white Vitrolite ceiling panels.
On the left-hand side is an attractive dark blue tiled fire surround. The bar counters are plain match-boarded affairs and, as such, difficult to date (they might be later than the 1930s but it’s hard to see why they should have been replaced). The mainly modern bar-back, while of a distinct 1930s design the glazed advertising panels at the top are clearly modern in an old style. The rear part is a flat-roofed extension, no doubt, of the 1930s and also has extensive panelling which has been painted a ‘gastro grey’ colour in recent times and the interwar fireplace blocked-up. The small bar counter front is painted a ‘gastro grey’ colour; there seems to have been some opening up in this area.
There was a pub here called the Prince Frederick’s Head in 1761, just ten years after the death of the eponymous prince. The present building is Victorian and, importantly, it was revamped in the 1930s giving it the appealing character it has today. The two front bars were divided by a wall with a narrow pair of doors allowing access from one side to the other but this was removed in 2015 so the pub is now a series of areas. At one time there must have been an off-sales compartment between the two parts, as suggested by the now disused doorway in the frontage. Both parts have three-quarter height wall panelling and distinctive white Vitrolite ceiling panels.
On the left-hand side is an attractive dark blue tiled fire surround. The bar counters are plain match-boarded affairs and, as such, difficult to date (they might be later than the 1930s but it’s hard to see why they should have been replaced). The mainly modern bar-back, while of a distinct 1930s design the glazed advertising panels at the top are clearly modern in an old style. The rear part is a flat-roofed extension, no doubt, of the 1930s and also has extensive panelling which has been painted a ‘gastro grey’ colour in recent times and the interwar fireplace blocked-up. The small bar counter front is painted a ‘gastro grey’ colour; there seems to have been some opening up in this area.
This Pub serves no changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Prince Frederick, Bromley
Sports TV
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Garden
Family Friendly
Parking
Dog Friendly
Smoking
Wi Fi
Real Ale
Cask Marque
Member Discount Scheme
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