CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

GREATER LONDON (SOUTH-EAST) - London SE11, Kennington, Old Red Lion

National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part One

42 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4RS

Tel: 020 7735 4312

Opening Hours: 4 (12 Sat, Sun) to 11

Draught Beer & Cider: One real ale

Public Transport: Underground: Kennington

Listed Status: Grade II

View this pub on a local map

CURRENTLY BEING RE-ASSESSED. This local drinkers’ pub is as impressive and intact an example of ‘brewers’ Tudor’ as you will find anywhere. It was rebuilt about 1929 by London brewers, Charrington’s. The outside has a display of half-timbering which gives the viewer the feel of what to expect inside. Rather like the Wheatsheaf in Borough, the pub stretches back from the road and is split down the middle by a dividing wall with the servery sitting in the middle with access to both sides. There are masses of heavy timbering, most of it with adze marks to create a sense of antiquity. There are two low, narrow doorways at each end of the servery giving access from one side of the pub to the other; over one doorway a Toby jug (the emblem of Charrington’s); over the other a red lion. Other things to enjoy are (left) the built-in picture of Bonnie Prince Charlie landing in 1745 and (left and right) original light fittings, brick pillars and mock-heraldic cartouches of the red lion and Toby jug over the fireplaces. And finally don’t miss the original tiling in the loos. Attached to the left of the building is a feature sometimes found at inter-war pubs, a separate off-sales shop.