PubsandBeer
The Harp (Fuller Smith & Turner)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter |  | 6 |
| Titanic - Stout | | 1 |
| York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - Nordic Fury |  | 1 |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | | 1 |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale |  | 1 |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Cottage - Clifton Ale |  | 1 |
| Coach House - Cheshire Gold | | 1 |
| Wickwar - Rite Flanker |  | 1 |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | Not Tried | 0 |
| Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Moorhouse's - Premier Bitter (was 3.8%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Black Sheep - Special Ale (previously Ale) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wychwood (now brewed at Banks's) - Wychcraft | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole Hearted | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thwaites - Nutty Black | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
08 Jul 2009 (Ian)
Coming back from Ealing BF, I ran from the tube to here, had a pint in 2 minutes, whilst answering questions from a stranger regarding the death of Dr David Kelly and then ran for the train. Sat by the front open window. Love this pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | As good as anywhere that I've had it, and yes that includes Lewes and the Butcher's Arms in Herne. It's Harvey's but not the bland mismash you sometimes get in other pubs. |
14 Mar 2009 (Blair)
I'll always love this place, feels like home. Very busy so we grabbed a table upstairs and formulated a plan as to what to do next.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wickwar - Rite Flanker | 4.30 | | This was most certainly a poor beer. A bit malty but nothing else to it. Not much different to drinking a pint of water. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried |
10 Dec 2008 (Ian)
Stood with my pint in the alley way at the back. I love this place, only 3 minutes from here to my platform in Charing Cross.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Harvey's, but on speed. |
05 Dec 2008 (Blair)
My favourite pub in London, it's a fantastic place. Great atmosphere, didn't manage to find a seat this time round. There were seats free upstairs but you miss out on the atmosphere up there. Unfortunately I've always got plans for the evening so only stayed for one.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - Nordic Fury | 4.30 | | I really liked this. Quite dark, reddish coloured bitter. Very malty with a nice lingering aftertase. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole Hearted | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Thwaites - Nutty Black | 3.30 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried |
09 Aug 2008 (Blair)
Still my favourite pub in London. Sat in the window seats watching the hordes of people stroll by. As close as I can get to heaven.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage - Clifton Ale | 4.40 | | Dark chestnut coloured, malty bitter. Nice enough, but wouldn't rush back for another. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Wychwood (now brewed at Banks's) - Wychcraft | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried |
03 May 2008 (Ian)
On my way back from Reading BF and I had 10 minutes to kill before my train left from Charing Cross, so I had to have a pint of Harvey's didn't I?
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Outstanding and one of my beers of the day. |
26 Apr 2008 (Andrew)
I'd heard a lot about this pub and I was ready to be disapointed. However, I wasn't. This pub's great. The interior is stunning with lots of red sealing wax, dark stained wood and white walls. Tony and I met up with Martin here.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanic - Stout | 4.50 | | Black. Toasted, smoaky, nutty, milky and bitter sweet. Superb. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version) | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Moorhouse's - Premier Bitter (was 3.8%) | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried |
08 Apr 2008 (Ian)
The 2000th pub visit entered on the site since we started it back in October 2004. That's about 1 and a half visits per day. Not bad going. I love this pub. 2 minutes walk from Charing Cross, attractive frontage with all of the window boxes and a solid selection of mid size UK regional beers. I ordered my pint of Harvey's Best Bitter, and stood in the alley at the back and necked it in less than 5 minutes.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Just so drinkable and with so much character. |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version) | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried |
23 Feb 2008 (Blair)
This is a great pub, one of my favourites in London. Friendly bar staff, great atmosphere and the sausages are amazing. Had a good few pints before going to a gig at the Astoria 2.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Lovely English bitter. One of the best pints of this I've had. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | | Orange colour. Medium head. Refreshing, hoppy. A really reliable beer, a good reason to come to London. |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale | 4.00 | | Smooth, light ale, not much of a body, but it has a pleasant hoppy aftertaste. there is a hint of fruit - ripe apples - in there somewhere. |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | | Very easy drinking malty bitter. |
| Coach House - Cheshire Gold | 3.90 | | Inoffensive, but nothing particularly interesting. Aroma was minimal but what came through was caramel and grassy hops. Taste was similar decent bitter finish. |
| Black Sheep - Special Ale (previously Ale) | 4.40 | Not Tried | Wrong beer, it was the bitter I had. |
27 Nov 2007 (Ian)
Here with Martin and it was packed so we ended up in the alley at the back.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | The best I think I've ever had. Condition, hop, yeasty, malt, mouthfeel, all stunning. |
About The Harp
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 24 |
| 562 |
| 280 |
| 75 |
| 7 |
The pub is found in Charing Cross, Central London, WC2N 4HS.
Formerly the Welsh Harp, a small narrow long pub on Chandos Place, just a stone's throw from Charing Cross railway station, so very handy for commuters. Hanging baskets at the front are attractive. A steep flight of stairs leads to the toilets and an upstairs room. There is an alley at the rear for smokers. Won the ultimate accolade as CAMRA National Pub of the Year in 2010. In 2011 CAMRA London Cider Pub of the Year, in 2012 CAMRA West London branch Pub of the Year, and again in 2014 as joint branch Pub of the Year and in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021 as branch Pub of the Year once more. Previously privately owned it was sold to Fuller's in mid July 2014 for a reported £7 million so changes expected. Closed for some days in February 2015 for an upgrade to plumbing and electrics, in particular to swap over the Gents and Ladies toilets. Good range of regional and micro breweries beer available through 10 handpumps and a superb range of ciders and perries sold from boxes in the chilled cabinets behind the bar. 10% price discount for card carrying CAMRA members on cask ales.
We have visited this pub 530 times, seen 1074 different beers and tried 429 of them.
Postcode: WC2N 4HS