Wheatsheaf

A little way to the south of the centre of Romford, the Wheatsheaf is a rebuild of about 1930 to serve a rather drab housing estate. The exterior has a little imitation half-timbering on the upper floors to create the then-popular Tudor effect. There is a pretty timber verandah on the front which used to give access to a now-vanished enclosed outside seating area. There are still two totally separated rooms, a public bar on the left and a small saloon to the right. The public bar has not only taken in the Jug and Bottle but also involved the amalgamation of two other rooms and is now a large U-shaped space. The panelling is simple but original to the building, as are the bar counter, back fitting and exposed, applied wooden strips on the ceiling. Note the dumb waiter on the left-hand side of the servery. The woodwork in the saloon is similar in style to that next door and creates a most attractive, intimate room. The fire surround is original but the tiled insert is recent.