The Winchester Hotel, Highgate  

The first thing that hits you when you enter this pub (and it's not a pint glass, thankfully) is the verdant nature of the place. It's home to an array of soothing plants, comfy leather sofas, and unobtrusive blinds shielding you from both the hot sun and the traffic throttling past on the Archway road outside. But it's not that sort of place. Unlike many pubs of late, it's been done up, but not done over. No, the Winchester remains very much a Proper Pub. It's got plenty of tables for you to spread out and get comfy, a nicely sized bar where it should be (not stuck in the corner like other pubs), and a bit of a games area where the puggy and the dart board live. Even better, it's got a lovely little 'quiet corner' for those looking for a more intimate pub experience, and its got a beer garden too. What more could you ask for? Food. Of course. It does big white plates of food, but for a nice change, the plates are laden with some right good grub, very much of the lamb shank, fresh fish and huge pastas variety. It's not cheap, but you're not spending a tenner on some pine nuts and spaghetti. The clientele are a good mix of locals, reflecting the cosmopolitan mix of the area with fashionistas and fitters happily taking up the same floor space.

reviewed:
09/02/2008

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

Sky TV

beer garden

double, twin and family rooms available

darts

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