Beaconsfield, Finsbury Park

A down-to-earth pub, which, although opened out, still retains a remarkable amount of Victorian work. Its changes over the years have been carefully documented and a history at the pub enables us to follow its evolution. The Beaconsfield was built in 1886-7 to the designs of the obscure architects Alexander and Gibbon who drew upon 17th-century details for inspiration. After the arrival of the third licensee in 1897 the internal arrangements were changed with the installation of the present island servery which was surrounded by a series of compartments.

The plan was drawn up by John E Pinder. One partition was removed in 1904 by F J Eedle & Meyers, minor alterations were made in 1934 and further partitions were removed in 1953. The single space we have today was the work of Courage (Eastern) Breweries’ chief architect, Mr Longstaff, in 1981 when the last remaining divisions were removed. The Victorian work remaining consists of the spacious servery (with its stillion in the middle), the richly decorated ceiling, six cast-iron columns, curved lobby entrance on the corner, a considerable amount of etched mirrorwork towards the rear and some stained glass.