The Angel Of Bow East End Experience Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Cath
When you think of a trip to London, all the major attractions spring to mind but by stepping away from the city centre and heading East we enjoyed a London experience far more interesting than any you’ll find in any “what to do in London” guidebook.
At the heart of this spirited corner of the city sits the Angel of Bow, an independently run family pub that was built in 1938 and is one of the few local buildings to survive the Blitz intact. When owners Odette and her son Dominic bought the pub it was in a very sorry state, not only was it derelict but it had a bad reputation too. They both saw beyond the damage and following 8 months of refurbishment, the pub was completely transformed. Looking around the bedrooms with upcycled and hand painted furniture lovingly restored by Odette, you can really tell that all the work on the pub has been a real labour of love.
Inside the pub the decor is quite quirky with shabby chic vibes and from the moment we stepped into the pub we were made to feel incredibly welcome with nothing too much trouble for bar manager Albion and his team. They have recently launched their East End Experience and having experienced a taster, anyone who books on it is guaranteed a fun filled week.
The Angel of Bow’s five boutique bedrooms do not have en-suite facilities and under normal circumstances, I would have hesitated before booking accommodation without private facilities. Having said that, it did feel more in keeping with the authentic East End spirit of the place and in reality, the arrangement worked perfectly well during our stay. The luxury bathroom has a beautiful roll-top bath and there’s a separate shower room along with two additional toilets. With only two other rooms occupied over the weekend, we never had to wait to get into a bathroom. There was a large washstand in the shower room which was a nice feature but we did feel that the space could perhaps have been better used for a toilet, making the setup slightly more convenient for guests.
Food, it must be said, is central to the experience and visitors would be wise to arrive with a good appetite and elasticated waistbands. Chef Michael, who single-handedly oversees the kitchen, makes the most amazing food and there’s lots of it!! Our first taste of his culinary delights came in the form of afternoon tea and despite us both having very good appetites this is the very first time we’ve ever failed to eat all the food on an afternoon tea cake stand, which was incredibly frustrating as the cakes were so delicious.
The vintage cake stand was laden with sandwiches, scones, cakes, jewel-bright macarons and the most amazing fully loaded cheesecake. (It was so good I did have to have another slice later in the weekend!) The Angel of Bow sources all the food from local suppliers and all their meat, fish, fruit and vegetables are supplied from within a three mile radius. We had two evening meals whilst we were staying and we really were spoilt for choice. We’d definitely recommend trying the BBQ Pork Belly Bites and the Lager Beer Battered Haddock and Chips which were absolutely delicious.
The East End Experience also includes a visit to their sister bar, The Bourbon, which is a whisky and cocktails lovers’ dream. Dominic runs this bar and what he doesn’t know about whisky and cocktails just isn’t worth knowing. Guests can choose from an extensive cocktail menu or if you tell Dominic your favourite flavours he will suggest and make a cocktail for you. There was a great atmosphere in the bar and I would have loved to stay longer but after a very early start to the day we were both ready for bed.
Following an excellent night’s sleep in the very comfortable sleigh bed we headed downstairs for some more of Michaels’ culinary delights. I decided to try the bacon Benedict whilst my husband chose the Mushrooms on Toast which were both cooked to perfection and the perfect sustenance for a busy day exploring the East End of London. This part of London is rich in history and has been shaped by its working class roots and immigrant communities. The area is well known for hardship, the area was bombed heavily in the Blitz and like many other areas has suffered from industrial decline.
The East End Experience has been created to show guests the history of the area and our first stop for the day was the Jack The Ripper Museum. The gruesome murders of 1888 along with the mystery surrounding the killer’s identity is still intriguing people today and it was an atmospheric, if chilling insight into Victorian London. The museum is close to St Catherine’s Dock so it was nice to enjoy a walk around the dock in the sunshine afterwards. More dark history followed in the afternoon as we made our way to the Blind Beggar Pub where we met actor Vas Blackwood, star of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels who leads the Krays Gangster London Tour. The walking tour took us around the streets once ruled by the notorious gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray during the 1950s and 1960s and whilst walking through the London streets we saw many of the places closely connected to their lives. Vas gave an excellent commentary, bringing the East End’s notorious criminal underworld to life which was both entertaining and informative.
Sunday was without doubt my favourite part of the whole weekend. After another delicious breakfast we made our way to Columbia Road Flower Market, one of London’s most famous street markets. The street was jam packed with market stalls, all with a dazzling display of beautiful flowers. With traders drumming up business with their cheeky banter it was a real taste of the East End. I would have loved to buy some flowers but I doubt they would have survived the long train journey home, so I just had to be content looking at them and taking a few photographs. We weren’t there for long but we could have made a morning of it as there were so many lovely independent cafés and quirky little shops to explore.
From there we drove to the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf, which couldn’t feel more different from the hustle and bustle of the flower market. The towering skyscrapers, waterside paths and modern architecture are so different from its original roots as a working dock but times have changed and the area is now a thriving financial district. We stopped for coffee in the sunshine before visiting a charming city farm, which was a hidden oasis in the middle of London.
We rounded off our visit back at the pub with Michael’s popular Sunday carvery and it certainly lived up to the hype. With beautifully cooked meats from the local butcher, generous portions and all the traditional trimmings, it was the perfect ending to a fantastic East End Experience.
Bar manager Albion really was the star of the show and is a real asset to the business, despite this being his first experience as a tour guide, he proved to be a complete natural and was very friendly and easy to talk to. On a small, intimate tour that personal touch makes all the difference and Albion’s enthusiasm and hospitality helped make the entire experience feel relaxed and memorable.
For those that love London history and good food, the Angel of Bow is the place to go. More than simply a comfortable place to rest your head, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the true spirit of the East End, where history, community and individuality are woven into every corner. The seven day tour begins on a Monday and as well as the tours the price includes bed, breakfast, and evening meals. The tour includes four planned days with the remaining three free for you to explore the local area or simply relax in the beer garden with a glass of their own locally brewed Angel of Bow lager. There’s plenty to see and do nearby with the London Olympic Park,) 02 Arena and the ABBA Voyage Arena on the doorstep or if you fancy something different then Albion and the team are very knowledgeable about the local area and will be pleased to suggest other places to visit.
We left feeling as though we had discovered a side of London many visitors never see and after such an enjoyable couple of days, one thing is certain: when we next return to London, the Angel of Bow will be firmly at the top of our list.
Rating: 5/5
Prices start from £1,650.00 per person sharing a double room.
The Angel of Bow, 171 Devons Road, London, England E3 3QX,
Website: https://www.theangelofbow.co.uk/
Telephone: 0207 537 3045