The Punch Tavern

Journos from Punch magazine allegedly congregated in this tavern during the mid-19th century, & they’d probably be pleased to see this British bulldog of a pub still bears the publication’s name. Fairy lights & a slightly incongruous fish tank don’t add much to the stately Victorian interior with its smoky wood panelling & ornate marble bar, but luckily the menu rings like a refrain from ‘Rule Britannia’. Honey-roast ham & eggs or Biggles sausages with mash & onion gravy are typically patriotic mains, but if you’re feeling nostalgic go for the ‘British Empire’ sharing platter, with samosas, spring rolls & Welsh rarebit. Doom Bar, Summer Lightning & Hobgoblin are among the real ales on tap.