Ivy House

This pub has seen better, more prosperous days and this is reflected in the fact that the right-hand part has now been hived off for residential accommodation. It must have been truly enormous when originally built in the 1930s by Truman’s brewery. They have provided an unusual piece of architecture here – quite blocky with the central three bays rising to an extra floor above the side ones. The pub is still large with two epic rooms at the back. These have interestingly contrasted characters: that on the right has a Tudor look with an inglenook fireplace, panelled walls, Wood Look beams and cartouches on the walls with such would-be antique emblems as a visored knight, a portcullis, a swan and red roses.

The other room has decidedly simple Art Deco details. The front room – small in comparison – was originally no doubt intended to be a smart one as is suggested by the elegant canopy over the bar counter. The counters throughout are original but the back fittings are largely modern. Other features to look out for are the brown and white spittoon trough tiling (a feature of many 1930s Truman’s pubs) and original tiling in the gents’.