A short step from Camden Lock and the Roundhouse on the slow climb to Hampstead, the Steeles has long been one of London’s great eccentric pubs, and is now looking better than ever under new management.

The Venue
The Sir Richard Steele, a biggish corner roadside pub named after the Irish politician and journalist who lived nearby in the early 18th century, spent more than 25 years under the same ownership. In the theme pub heyday of the 1980s it was given a splendidly peculiar makeover, offsetting the original wood panelling, stained glass and impressive fireplaces with a motley collection of junk and art – old clocks, advertising signs, musical instruments, giant mirrors, vast portraits of Steele himself and a ceiling decorated with a Leonardo-style fresco that apparently contains depictions of the regulars of the day.

In early 2011 there was much local consternation when the Sir Richard Steele changed hands, the previous incumbents having decided they were more interested in running smaller, more beer-focused venues like nearby pubs the Pineapple and Tapping the Admiral. But the new team (Faucet Inn, who also own another thoroughly decent community pub in the area, the Dartmouth Arms) have wisely changed little except to give the existing collection a well deserved clean and to install some more handpumps.

The Richard Steele has long since been knocked through from its original multiroom layout, but traces remain in the sequence of different drinking areas that wraps itself around the long bar, and there’s a particularly lovely space at the back. Look out too for the expansive beer garden.

The Atmosphere
There’s plenty of it in evidence at the Richard Steele, a combination of the quirky decor and well-used interior space, the cheerful staff and a loyal following from both locals and connoisseurs of nice pubs. There’s a certain arty, boho element and you might spot the odd celeb popping over from Primrose Hill for a quiet drink. There’s a quiz on Tuesdays, live music on Sundays and other occasional events. Weekend nights can get raucous.

The Food
A mixed and relatively lengthy menu of fresh food has replaced the previous Thai offer. It includes sharing boards, salads, posh bangers and burgers (£8.75), pie and mash (£8.75) and some imaginative vegetarian options like caramelised red onion tarte tatin (£8.50).

The Drink
Faucet have deliberately appointed a beer-savvy manager who now has six handpumps to play with, rotating a range of beers from Adnams, Batemans, Thwaites and Westerham, with beer festivals planned too. Otherwise drink choices are fairly standard, with a few good wines by the glass.

The Last Word
It’s great to see this characterful place is being allowed to continue in its own offbeat way – a minor treasure.

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