This pub is not only a grade II listed building, it is also a One Star pub on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) National Inventory with an interior of special national historic interest, and the description is as follows: "Three-storey building of c.1860 with late Victorian interior which was subject to a sympathetic renovation in 2016 by the Distinct Pub Co. and retains a good amount of Victorian fittings. There is an elaborately carved bar back fitting of two bays on the left return, four main bays on the front, then two narrow bays on the right return and another three main bays at the far right. The listed description states the bar back has much engraved glass which appears to have been lost many years ago - what now looks like gilded mirrors throughout has been created by the addition of transfers. All along the top of the bar back are narrow gilded panels advertising drinks that are clearly replacements for the Victorian originals. Most lower shelving has been replaced by fridges. Ceiling supported by cast-iron columns with Corinthian capitals.

The long bar counter is the original panelled one but painted a deep blue colour and it has a highly polished bar top which may also be the original recently refurbished. There are good vestibules on front left and right but the glazing looks all modern being plain, or has had transfers added. On the front wall are a number of small narrow gilded advertisements which appear genuinely old. The fixed seating of indeterminate age has been recovered recently. It was recently opened-up to the rear left where is some old fixed seating and the Victorian-style fireplace may be original to the pub."

The listing description is as follows: “Public House. c1860. Brick with render and painted stone dressings. Stone dressings. Slate roof with ridge and end stacks. Three storeys; three-window range. Tripartite sashes with elaborate surrounds and alternate triangular and segmental pediments. Arcaded ground floor with ironwork above recessed entrance. Second floor has tripartite sash flanked by 2/2 sashes under segmental heads. INTERIOR: open plan with cast-iron columns with Corinthian capitals. Elaborately carved bar fittings with much engraved glass. Room to rear with recessed niche and stage.”

It is a charming pub with etched windows and an interesting bar-back advertising various spirits. The advertisements continue opposite the bar-back in the woodwork of the windows. At the rear a modern but fantastic extension leads one up staircases to various dining areas. Note the extract from Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussycat on some of the stair treads.

The WhatPub link is here: WhatPub/Owl & Hitchhiker

The Pub Heritage Group link is here: PHG/Owl & Hitchhiker

The Edward Lear featured on the Romance, Fantasy and Nonsense: Evening Crawl of Finsbury Park and Holloway on 16 August 2017.

Exterior Servery Rear Room Bar-back Advertising Panels