Princess Of Wales, Primrose Hill, London

An attractive pub in a quiet area of Primrose. Good atmosphere and small beer garden, with a Banksy on one of its walls.
However, avoid the food. I sent my roast dinner back twice and then changed it from the beef to the lamb, which was only marginally better. Staff were rude in dealing with this complaint, acting as though nothing was matter with the dish, which was visibily overcooked. The manager was the only one to deal with the complaint professionally.

The most traditional pub in a slightly disappointing area where posh/gastro pubs are the main predator/ top dog.

Externally, a typical old fashioned pub. The inside has a more modern feel to it.

Had a decent pint of Brains Bread of Heaven.

I love this pub on the nicer end of the old school scale.

Cons (I'll start with these as there aren't many): The food is palatable only. It's cheap and you get what you pay for. But I do appreciate that the pub offers reasonable options, especially in light of its location and that it could certainly charge much more.

Some of the older bar staff are gruff. But I like that faux authenticity of the washed-out doppelgängers from the cast of East Enders.

Pros: Lovely, cosy atmosphere. Great nooks and crannies in the uneven seating. Charming courtyard (with a remnant from a potential Banksy visit?). Live jazz. This place feels like a pub in the best way.

aljwoods is right when he says this is a great pub. It’s one of the least pretentious in the area. It feels more like a locals pub than The Lansdowne or The Engineer, which are just metres away. Great beers on too, and the live music is certainly a draw. The only problem with it is that it’s just so BRIGHT!

I love the Princess of Wales. It’s in a most beautiful location, a little bit off the beaten track but surrounded by the “glamour” of Primrose Hill and but a stones through away from Regents Canal and the hustle and bustle of Camden Town.

There is very little hustle and bustle about the Princess of Wales though. It gets pretty busy in the evenings and at weekends but you never lose a sense of tranquility and peacefulness. It feels as though Time has just kicked back a little bit, but his feet on a stool and decided that it’s time to just….relax.

The pub itself is beautiful. It is glass fronted with a generous provision of tables outside, though quite often The Dorris and I take to sitting on the kerb to bask in the sunshine.

Inside the pub is slightly reminiscent of Uncle Monty’s living room in “Withnail and I”, just without the cat - the walls are festooned with pictures, commemorative plates, horse brasses, all manner of delightful tat. Pot plants and flowers are everywhere and there is a snug with the most impressive collection of cookery and travelling books.

It was only recently that I discovered that there is a Downstairs. A more cosy, intimate little spot I can hardly imagine, it’s just charming. It leads out to a sunken beer garden which I’ve yet to spend much time in though I suspect it gets little sun.

They boast a really good selection of beer - London Pride and Adnam’s Best appear to be the norm, and a regularly changing guest - most recently I’ve been enjoying an excellent Brain’s beer, Milkwood.

They also boast a cask cider (not for the light hearted) and a decent selection of lagers. The wine always seems decent as well, though I’ve never seen a list as such.

The food is pretty standard pub fare, but done very well. I can highly recommend their burgers! I haven’t eaten there on a Sunday before though I am assured that they do a very fine roast.
One of the best things about this pub is the music. On Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons they have a swing band, fronted by a trumpeter who I’m pretty sure is Humph’s grandfather, who are thoroughly entertaining and very good. I’ve paid good money to see worse jazz bands in my time, they really are great and it’s a wonderful, wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The clientele is pretty eclectic. Being where it is there is a smattering of the well-heeled, a fair number of youngsters and studenty types, a good local crowd but all are very friendly and welcoming.

It’s such a comfortable, pleasant pub I fully intend to go far more often. In fact, seeing as I’m on holiday and it’s nearly opening time I might just wander over for a pint now.

This pub used to be alright but it’s under new management now and granted the place looks better and is allot more lively i just find a bit ponsey. Since the Hawley arms has closed all the celebs and posh nob’s choose to drink here.