The Open Guide to London: the free London guide

If you are appalled by racism then don't go to this pub. It used to be such a nice place to spend an evening but having been there on New Year's eve 2005 and listening to awful white racist chanting and hitler salutes I will never set foot in the place again. I complained to the bar staff and got a blank look back. Then i realised that one of the racists was working behind the bar. I think he must be a manager there and the other recists were his friend. I am a local resident (and white by the way) and was amazed that other customers seemed to turn a blind eye. This kind of behavious should not be allowed anywhere never mind in my neighbourhood.

An old pub and hotel overlooking Leyton Flats, that despite being a way from Leytonstone, it is really worth making the effort to go to.

The interior seems original (circa 1900), with a central bar and lots of partitions dividing the remaining space up into small nooks. There are some very comfortable sofas by the front windows, which offer pleasant views of the flats. In winter the open (gas) fire is often lit and there are usually a few board games and newspapers kicking around, making this a perfect winter pub!

The only disappointing aspect of the pub is the beer garden which only a small concrete patio.

Half of the downstairs is given over to the restaurant [Spellbound, E11 1NP]?, which is vaguely South-African in flavour (reflecting the nationality of the present landlords).

The upper floors of the pub are run as a hotel, having about 20 rooms, with single rooms from 45UKP and double rooms from 55UKP (December 2003 prices).