Williamson's Tavern still has the magic

The location is superb - tucked in a courtyard off an alley from Bow Lane through the magnificent wrought iron gates presented by William III after he'd enjoyed what must have been a particularly fine pint. It's basically two inter-linked bars.

The smaller, simply furnished front bar boasts probably the most uncomfortable benches ever designed, the fairly substantial back bar includes a range of hard and soft seating and a separate dining area with decent food from snacks to full meals.

Charming staff dispense great beers from a fine range including, on this visit, Deuchars IPA, Spitfire, and Adnam's Broadside. It can get busy - and nowhere round here is safe from the braying yahoo-in-a suit brigade - but seats and a quiet(ish) corner can usually be found if required. Oh and did we mention the ghosts? Hocus-pocus you sneer.

But at least one long serving barmaid flatly refuses to do evening shifts after one experience too many. And it's said that police dog patrols have the devil's own job to persuade their canine chums to venture anywhere near the place.

FOOD REVIEW: Decent lunch-time pub grub, good sarnies and giant toad-in-hole, just the thing for workaholic City-types.

FOOD RATING: 2 FOOD VALUE: 2

CLIENTELE: local workers, City types, tourists
NEAREST STATION: Mansion House station
PHONE NUMBER: 020 7248 5750
FEATURES: function room available, Sky TV

Williamson's Tavern
1 Groveland Court, EC4M 9EH