The Albert, Victoria  

This huge Victorian pub is well placed for what it does - it's what all the tourists are expecting from an English pub, so it's popular with them (and Chelsea Pensioners, apparently). But that doesn't mean it's not for the avid pub-goer. There's a good range of bitters on the hand pumps, with regulars such as Bombardier, Deuchars and IPA plus a guest beer - Theakston's Black Bull on our last visit - and it's decently kept. There's also plenty of other drink on tap (including Leffe) and in bottles along with wines, spirits etc. It's a handsome building, too and whilst the interior might be a shadow of its former self (albeit it's well looked-after), the exterior amply demonstrates the palatial aspirations of the original builders. There's a strong emphasis on pub grub, which looks decent enough although we haven't tried it, to fuel the tourist throngs. Surprisingly, considering where the pub is, the prices aren't sky-high and the service seems to cope admirably with the waves of visitors appearing at the usual times. As tourist pubs go, not a bad one at all.

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