Named after Colonel Fawcett, a man who became part of history for dying nearby during the last fatal duel in Britain back in 1843, this pub has been brought well and truly up-to-date after a recent refurbishment. Now offering delicious British food alongside an impressive list of drinks, the Colonel Fawcett is a great place for a night out.

The Venue
A recent overhaul and extensive refurbishment has turned what once was the tired and rundown Camden Arms into the new and improved Colonel Fawcett. Some of the previous features remain, such as the ornate spiral staircase in one corner – but, thankfully, this precarious-looking route upstairs is now only for aesthetic purposes, and a new staircase has been added. The pub has a rustic feel, with light blue painted walls and slightly distressed wood, furnished with wooden tables and chairs as well as large sofas and armchairs. The large bar area takes up a corner of the room and there is generous outside space to the front and the rear. Upstairs is available for private hire and is a huge space with its own bar and a projector screen for showing the sports.

The Atmosphere
Plenty of people in the surrounding area have returned to this long-standing pub, happy to hear of its renovation, and new customers continue to join them. Set away from Camden’s main roads, people tend to have heard about the Colonel Fawcett and specifically searched it out, so good spirits run high here. At the weekend a DJ starts later on in the night and the vibe becomes much more lively – great for those who want to dance, although it does see some of the earlier crowd moving on as a result. Staff are extremely attentive while managing to keep a laid-back feel to their service.

The Food
A menu with a strong focus on British pub food is the perfect fit for this venue. All the ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, with a real focus on quality, and the bread, pickles and most condiments are all homemade – the bread is particularly good. Mains include the incredibly well priced Colonel Fawcett pork and sage burger (£6.50) with roasted apple, caramelised onions, hand-cut chips and aioli, and the lighter but just as tasty River Farm smoked salmon with horseradish cream and roast beetroot (£6). A great option for sharing is the charcuterie board (£11.50) – a rustic chunk of wood packed with Parma ham, duck rillettes, ham hock terrine and a giant pork and sage scotch egg, with cornichons and rye bread – it’s truly mouth-watering. A tempting list of puddings includes an upside down pear and stem ginger cake with clotted cream (£4.50) and a prune and cider tart with homemade English custard (£4.50) – certainly worth leaving room for.

The Drink
Continuing the British theme, the drinks menu promotes a good list of gins, from the ever-popular Bombay Sapphire to local varieties such as Sipsmith (Hammersmith) and Sacred (Highgate). A select list of cocktails, all priced at £7.50, includes some gin specials – the Dutch Courage blends Dutch Genever gin, passion fruit, lime juice and sugar – and some classics, like the mojito and the pina colada. There is also a good selection of white, rose and red wine, starting from £3.50 for a 175ml glass, £4.70 for a 250ml glass and £13.50 for a bottle, and a great range of traditional ales.

The Last Word
Sticking with its roots as a traditional British pub but with an emphasis on quality, from the décor to the food and drinks, the Colonel Fawcett is a great find off the beaten track in Camden.

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