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Good Beer Guide

Shakespeare's Head, London

Africa House, 64-68 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6BG (Directions)
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The pub takes its name from a famous pub that was located nearby until the entire street (Wych Street) was demolished over 100 years ago, shortly before Africa House, was built. Converted from a bank/building society in 1998.

Now a cavernous Wetherspoon pub whose convenient location means that it is nearly always busy, even weekends when the absence of the work crowd is made up for by shoppers, out of towners and people starting their Saturday nights (on Sunday many other local establishments are closed, which helps boost its custom). The nearby location of the London School of Economics means that students swell the pub's population during term time. Even though this is a very busy pub, service is normally quick from an efficient staff team.

Following CAMRA's updated definition of "real cider", pubs such as this selling for example Old Rosie and Orchard Pig or other ciders such as Thistly Cross, Stans, Gwynt Y Draig, Broadoak etc. no longer qualify for the "Real cider" tag.

Historic Interest

Grade II listing (Africa House):- 1921-2. By Trehearne and Norman. Portland stone faced steel frame. 6 storeys and 2 storey set back attic. 9 windows. Double height fluted Doric screen, with inset shops and bank, flanks a round-arched triumphal arch style entrance inscribed "Africa House" and surmounted by lions couchant. Upper storeys set back with central distyle-in-antis screen rising from 3rd to 5th floor; metal-framed windows, 5th floor with Greek scroll aprons and enrichment to heads of bays suggesting pilasters. Entablature with deep mutule cornice surmounted by a pediment of carved figures and animals. Plain attic storeys with cornice and blocking course having a central antefixa. Return to Twyford Place continues the design with a long screen.

Information for this venue is provided by the North London Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Premises Comment
Operator
Wetherspoon
Local Authority
Camden
Last updated
19/02/2024
Last surveyed
19/02/2024
Pub ID
WLD/16022
Asset of Community Value
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Opening
Food
Monday
08:00-Midnight
08:00-22:00
Tuesday
08:00-Midnight
08:00-22:00
Wednesday
08:00-Midnight
08:00-22:00
Thursday
08:00-Midnight
08:00-22:00
Friday
08:00-01:00
08:00-22:00
Saturday
08:00-01:00
08:00-22:00
Sunday
08:00-Midnight
08:00-22:00
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Current beers

This Pub serves 6 changing beers and 3 regular beers. Up to 6 or more rotating to give a spread across beer types, usually with a couple of London beers

Regular and recently seen

Shakespeare's Head, London

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Changing beers typically include: East London (varies) , Twickenham (varies) , Windsor & Eton (varies)

Source: National

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Breakfast served from opening, and then the main menu
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Seating on road at front of pub
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Until 8pm
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Entrance on the right-hand side of the pub
Smoking Smoking
4 Tables outside entrance
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
LocAle LocAle
Twickenham
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Quiet Quiet
CAMRA Voucher Scheme CAMRA Voucher Scheme
Transport
Close to bus routes (5m)
1, 59, 6, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243, 521
Closest station (1050m)
London Charing Cross
Close to London Underground/Overground/DLR (100m)
Holborn
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The Good Beer Guide 2024

With an unmistakable cover design, we are excited to announce that the foreword for this year’s Good Beer Guide has been penned by Bruce Dickinson, frontman and lead singer of Iron Maiden. © Campaign for Real Ale – Bruce Dickinson...

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