The New Inn is simply a very good pub

The mental image conjured up by St. John's Wood might well consist of elegant Georgian houses, upmarket boutiques and ladies who lunch. But in a rare moment of light relief only minutes away from this potential Richard Curtis film location, lies the New Inn.

Sitting at the edge of a perfectly nice council estate, anywhere else this would be described as a stripped-out affair. Here, however, monikers aren't needed; it is simply a very good pub.

The predominantly older locals, all looking unusually dressed-up, clearly didn't mind us interlopers in their pub. So while we sat, eating our rather good food, we listened to the excellent live over 60s blues band 'George & Friends' and looked around us; there was laughing, joking and chatting - all friendly and genuine.

Did we find the New Inn on an unusually good day? Maybe, but we wish more pubs were like this.

NEAREST STATION: St. John's Wood station
FEATURES: accommodation, real ales - Greene King, live music, outdoor seating, children welcome, quiz night Tuesday, TV (small screens)

The New Inn
2 Allitsen Road, NW8 6LA