I happened to go here a few times during the European Football Championships and had a great time either sitting outside with a beer but also standing in the crowd and watching the games on a small TV above the heads of the crowd.

This is a nice Young’s pub a few minutes’ walk from Paddington station, with an attractive and noteworthy Grade-II listed Victorian interior. It’s not the most atmospheric venue – Paddington is too much of a crossroads for that – but is a good find in an area with relatively few interesting pubs from which to choose.

The interor is richly decorated with dark wood panelling, etched glass screens and attractive floor mosaics. The ground floor has a large bar area wrapped around the single bar, with a mixture of standing room, bar stools, tables and sofas. Upstairs are two dining rooms, decorated in the best Victorian parlour tradition, with yellow flock paper, mirrors and pictures. The upstairs rooms can be hired for meetings and dining.

They serve the full range of Young’s ales, plus a guest beer, which all seem well kept. The food menu is extensive, with starters around the £4.50-5.50 mark, and mains around £9 (steak is £14). We had fishcakes, which came with rocket salad and chips, and roasted vegetable and potato dauphinoise, with goats cheese and salad – both were substantial and enjoyable, although a friend’s steak was less successful (over-done). A pud of treacle tart with ice cream (£4.95) was very nice, but not really needed thanks to the generous mains.

Service was pretty good and very friendly throughout.

I will be very happy to go back to eat or drink. A plus is that serve food until 22h.