The Plough is a pub for the winter in the princely location of Museum Street.

The Venue
From the outside, The Plough looks a lot like any other classic London boozer and invariably that's exactly what it is. It has classic dark red walls, even darker wood and the ubiquitous carpet of patterns found nowhere else but on the floors of pubs. It's a little different to the majority of pubs around the area because it holds character with tatty wooden beams, fraying furniture and a shabby Bridget Jones type of Britishness.

The upholstered seating that lines the main section of the pub is comfortable and worn and the tables are squashed together so if you're not keen on elbows spilling into personal space this might not be what you're looking for. The bar has two halves to it, the seating section and the bar area where regulars wander around, generally ending up against the bar. There are plasma TVs at either end of the pub so whether you're in with the crowd or looking for a comfortable seat, you can be satisfied with a screen.

The Atmosphere
The charm of The Plough doesn't seem to be a well-kept secret and the clientele is surprisingly mixed. Groups of young people gather at tables alongside tourists with inside info. The regulars mix well and the chat is constant. You'll notice that despite the fact the music is at a fairly high level it's almost drowned out by the sound of people. It feels good to be in The Plough - its warmth is attractive and it's a hard pub to leave once you settle in.

The Food
The food shares the menu with many London pubs. It's all very British and filling. There are dishes like gammon, egg and chips and Shepherds pie, and while it doesn't taste like your mum used to make it, it's not bad.

The Drink
The bar stock is fair rather than interesting, going for big brands with the odd guest ale thrown in to mix things up a bit. The spirits on offer are what you'd expect with Gordons, Jack Daniels, Bells and Bacardi and the wine comes in on the expensive side for this type of pub. The house white is a Trulli Pinot Grigo and the red is the Otravida Malbec.

There is a good selection of beer on tap, with Kronenbourg, Stella, Becks, Carlsberg and Staropramen and there's a small selection of bottled beers, too. Old Speckled Hen is a welcome sight for the ale drinker, along with London Pride and Abbot Ale.

The Last Word
Many of the pubs in London have the same Victorian roots so it's hard to tell which of them are worth a visit. The Plough is a good example of a decent traditional pub, serving a good pint in an enjoyable atmosphere.

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