The Harold, Harold Wood, Romford

I think I can safely say that I have not seen a pub this busy at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon before - especially when no sport is on. Packed. I had completed 15 miles on the London Loop in terrible weather and will be for ever grateful for the roaring fire, that was a little unexpected in a town pub. Pub was far more pleasant inside than the outside would indicate and I dig chuckle at the missing H on the name sign. Two real ales on - both in average condition. Tried the doom bar first and then the Speckled Hen. Prices were very reasonable.

This pub, ideally located by Harold Wood Station, had a bright and airy feel due to the lovely summer sun shining through the open blinds in the windows onto the light wood floor and furnishings. During my recent Thursday afternoon visit there were a few locals sitting at the bar talking to the barmaid who I found to be pleasant enough. Whilst she was pouring me a decent pint of Guinness I had a look along the bar and spotted a good range of standard draught products and two hand pumps which were drawing Greene King IPA and Bombardier. The bar area is to the right of the pub by the entrance where a couple of sofas can be found. The rest of the pub is a good size with nicely laid out seating and there are a couple of plasma screens for showing the sports on Sky. Some picnic tables can be found outside the front of the pub behind some small wooden fencing, but the main outside seating is at the rear of the pub on a large decked area and on some grass at the back of the beer garden. The rear entrance is covered and adorned with London road signs and old movie posters among other things and there is a very large autumn woodland scene depicted on the wall of a small building out the back. This over 21s pub is far from traditional and maybe a little quirky, but I would have no problem returning here for a few beers if in the area again.