London Pubs Group

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

From the Crimea to Death's Door via Cats, Birds and Breweries: Evening Crawl of Wandsworth and Battersea

London Pubs Group's Evening pub crawl of Wandsworth and Battersea
Wednesday 17 April 2013

A text version of the crawl notes is here: Evening Crawl of Wandsworth and Battersea

1. Alma

Exterior of The Alma, Battersea Arrive: 7:00pm
Address: 499 Old York Rd, Wandsworth, SW18 1TF

The Alma features vivid green tiles on the exterior and outstanding back-painted mirrors with images of herons and flowers.

Read more on the Alma, Wandsworth

Real Ales: Charles Wells Bombardier; Sambrooks Wandle; and Youngs Bitter, London Gold and Special are usually available here.

Directions to next pub: Turn left out of the pub and walk up Old York Road to the traffic lights. Cross three sets of traffic lights to Fairfield Street then walk up Fairfield Street to...

2. Grapes

Arrive: 7:50pm
Address: 39 Fairfield St, Wandsworth, SW18 1DX

The Grapes has original glazing and mirrors as well as a very peculiar carved back-fitting of the servery.

Read more on the Grapes, Wandsworth

Real Ales: Youngs Bitter and Special are usually available here.

Directions to next pub: On leaving the pub, retrace your steps to the traffic lights then turn left into Armoury Way and walk to the next set of traffic lights. Cross over Armoury Way and continue down Armoury Way to the junction with Frogmore.

On the way, note Youngs former Ram Brewery which is a grade II* listed complex.

3. Cat's Back

Exterior of The Cat Arrive: 8:40pm
Address: 86-88 Point Pleasant, Wandsworth, SW18 1NN

This back-street free house is not a listed building nor one of London's Real Heritage Pubs but has notable features including a small stained glass window in the servery.

Read more on the Cat's Back, Wandsworth

Real Ales: Harveys Hadlow Bitter, Old Ale and Sussex Best are usually served here.

Directions to next pub: Retrace your steps to the junction with Putney Bridge Road, turn left and continue back down Putney Bridge Road to the bus stop called Frogmore (almost outside the Hop Pole pub). Catch a 220 or 270 bus to the stop called Wandsworth/Southside Shopping centre. Alight from the bus, turn left and walk down Garratt Lane to the junction with Wandsworth High Street. Turn right into Wandsworth High Street and walk to ...

4. Spread Eagle

Arrive: 9:30pm
Address: 71 Wandsworth High St, Wandsworth, SW18 2PT

A renaissance-style pub has multiple rooms and distinctive back fittings in the impressive servery.

Read more on the Spread Eagle, Wandsworth

Real Ales: Youngs Bitter and Special are usually available here.

Directions to next pub: On leaving the pub, turn right and walk up Wandsworth High Street to the junction with St Ann's Hill. Cross over St Ann's Hill, turn left and cross over Wandsworth High Street and East Hill to the junction with Fairfield Street. Walk down Fairfield Street to the bus stop called Wandsworth Town Hall. Catch a 37, 39, 87, 156, 170 or 337 bus to the stop called Clapham Junction Station. Alight from the bus, turn left and walk up St John's Hill to...

5. Windsor Castle

Exterior of The Windsor Castle, Battersea

Arrive: 10:15pm
Address: 36 St John's Hill, Battersea, SW11 1SA

Read more on the Windsor Castle, Battersea

This 'brewers' Tudor' pub features an attractive brick fire surround.

Real Ales: Allegedly they will be having a cider and cask ale festival here at the time of this crawl.

Directions to next pub: On leaving the pub, retrace your steps to St John's Hill and walk back down it to...

6. Falcon

Exterior of The Falcon, Battersea Arrive: 10:40pm
Address: 2 St John's Hill, Battersea, SW11 1RU

The Falcon gives a fabulous chance to step back in time and appreciate features such as one of the longest bar counters in Britain.

Read more on the Falcon, Battersea

Real Ales: At least 10 real ales from M&B's Nicholsons list are usually available here.