The Horniman at Hay's, SE1

This large Nicholson's pub is situated right on the river, bang in front of HMS Belfast and with good views of Tower Bridge. L-shaped and with an upper dining gallery, most of the seating is to the side but there is a raised area right in front of the bar which returns to one side where there are high tables and stools which although not my favoured form of seating allow a good all round view of the pub. The bar area has an attractive tiled floor and the bar itself is worth a look with plenty of carved dark wood, mirrors and a globe themed clock. Above the bar there is a frieze depicting various world scenes, ships and spouting whales, a caravan of camels, a thunderstorm and so on. This frieze is extended around the gallery plinth. Even by Nicholson's standards the beer range is good, there are numerous handpumps dotted about and my visit saw Great Heck Angel, St Austell Nicholson's Pale Ale, Pride, Wharfebank VPA, Thornbridge Jaipur, Brains SA, Moor Revival (£3.90), Caledonian Flying Scotsman, Sambrooks Junction and Downton Chocolate Orange. That's a decent line up in anyone's book. I note some others' concerns regarding service but my experience was positive with tasters offered, in fact as I wandered around having a look I was asked if I could be helped by two different barstaff. My pint was however at that do I ask for a top up or not level being a little short but not worth making a fuss over. Any pub in a location like this will see a transient customer base with a lot of tourist visitors but again I was pleased to see an American visitor being helped by the staff with the ales described and tasters given. TVs were muted showing a news channel while quiet jazz and piano music played. Based on today's visit I would certainly pop by again, I bet the outdoor seating is at a premium on a warmer day as well.