Elderfield, Clapton

This three-storey Victorian corner-site pub dates back to the 1860s when the area was being developed. It was given a major makeover in about 1935 which is what forms the real interest today. The ground floor received a grey granite facing and the whole interior was refitted. Entering from the Blurton Road side, the bar there is notable with characteristic two-thirds-height panelling and a large circular feature for concealed lighting. The counter steps forward in three stages. The bar-back and fire surround are from the same scheme but the overmantel has been altered. There are beautifully veneered doors to the loos and the lettering over is probably original. The ladies’ has been refitted but the gents’ has its original tiling although some TLC is perhaps needed to recapture the true spirit of the 1930s.

The other, larger bar, now accessed through a walkway, has much less of interest and is partly old – such as the bar counter and herring-bone woodblock floor – and partly new. Markings on the floor clearly show that there was once a small, separate compartment: perhaps this was an off-sales area but quite how it linked to the servery is unclear.