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Riviera Centre, Torquay
11-13 April 2025
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Flanked by K2 red telephone kiosks, this is one of the most opulent of London pubs. This spacious, stucco-fronted hotel was put up in the middle of the 19th century. It was given a major update later in the century, probably in the 1890s, and the glorious tiled columns to the entrance porch and a huge mosaic floor bearing the name of the pub give some idea of the richness that lies on the other side of the doors. It is also beautifully carpeted throughout.
The main room is on the right and has a grey marble-topped counter with unusual, bulgy pilasters and lozenge decoration. Grey marble also appears in the columns of a three-bay arcade which marches across the right-hand side of the room, embracing the generously scaled staircase to what is now the upstairs restaurant. Some of the windows have lively stained glass, while over the servery is a semi-circular canopy, decorated with Art Nouveau-style paintings of naked ladies. More such paintings, with the signature Colin Beswick 1965, appear on the back wall and are meant to evoke the unlikely story that has grown up that this was once a brothel.
The left-hand room was once clearly divided into three as the patterning in the ceiling shows. The lowest status part has matchboard wall panelling and an ornate, much decayed mirror advertising Bass pale ale. Other things to note are the attractive and unusual high-level chequerwork glazed screens, the skylight over the first-floor landing and the deep, decorative cornices on the first floor.
Artist and illustrator Edward Ardizzone drew "The Lounge at the Warrington" and his illustration is in Maurice Gorham's famous book "Back to the Local". There are suggestions in his drawing of illicit assignations upstairs!
The extensive food menu includes Sunday roasts, kid-size portions, and veggie and vegan dishes.
Note that sale of alcohol is forbidden unbder the licence terms before 10am Mondays to Saturdays or noon on Sundays.
As at late May 2022 it is understood that the freehold of this pub is on the market via Davis Coffer Lyons and with vacant possession. There have been reports since then of non-availability of cask ale at certain times. Further updates welcome.
Historic Interest
Grade II listed, Historic England ref 1066160. A large amount of historic information about this site is available in the heritage statement dated 10 April 2019 submitted in connection with various planning applications made in early 2019, and available via the Westminster Council planning portal. The story that this was once a brothel apparently gave rise to the word "randy" because of its proximity to Randolph Avenue. The pub featured in the 1965 film thriller “Bunny Lake is Missing” starring Laurence Olivier and directed by Otto Preminger. Further trivia about the film scenes in the pub can be found in the Boak & Bailey blog dated 27 December 2021.
Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance
Listed status: II
This is one of London’s most opulent pubs, built 1857 but magnificently refitted later, probably in the 1890s. The glorious faience-covered columns to the entrance porch and the huge mosaic floor bearing the name of the pub give a foretaste of the riches within. The tiles are from Craven Dunhill's Jackfield Works at Ironbridge. The main room (right) is spectacular. It has a grey marble-topped counter with prominent pilasters and lozenge decoration. Grey marble also appears in the arcade columns marching across the room, the fireplace behind and two small, bulgy supports to the bar back.
There is a generously scaled staircase to the first-floor restaurant. Some of the windows have lively stained glass, that at the rear with Art Nouveau touches which surely cannot be before the mid-1890s. Over the servery is a semi-circular canopy, decorated with Art Nouveau-style paintings of semi-naked ladies. More such paintings appear on the back wall (signed ‘Colin Beswick 65’) and side wall. They derive the salacious, widely-purveyed tale that this place was a brothel. No doubt illicit close encounters took place here, but any pub openly acting as a brothel would very quickly have had its licence withdrawn by the licensing magistrates.
The left-hand room was once clearly divided with the lowest status part having simple matchboard wall panelling and an ornate, much decayed, mirror advertising Bass Pale Ale. The main entrance has an odd arrangement as it leads directly into a small space which always seems to have had direct communication through a screen to the grand lounge. Did it have a real function or was it just a kind of ante-room to the great main room and where hotel guests might have checked in?
One of the most opulent London pubs, this spacious, stucco-fronted hotel was built in 1858. It was given a major update later in the century, probably in the 1890s, and the glorious tiled columns to the entrance porch and a huge mosaic floor bearing the name of the pub give some idea of the richness that lies on the other side of the doors. The tiles are from Craven Dunhill's Jackfield Works at Ironbridge.
The main room is on the right and has a grey marble-topped counter with unusual, bulgy pilasters and lozenge decoration. Grey marble also appears in the columns of a three-bay arcade which marches across the right-hand side of the room, embracing the generously scaled staircase to what is now the upstairs restaurant. Some of the windows have lively stained glass, while over the servery is a semi-circular canopy, decorated with Art Nouveau-style paintings of naked ladies. More such paintings, with the signature Colin Beswick 1965, appear on the back wall and are meant to evoke the unlikely story that has grown up that this was once a brothel.
The left-hand room was once clearly divided into three as the patterning in the ceiling shows. The lowest status part has matchboard wall panelling and an ornate, much decayed mirror advertising Bass pale ale. Other things to note are the attractive and unusual high-level chequerwork glazed screens, the skylight over the first-floor landing and the deep, decorative cornices on the first floor. Don't miss the Prince Alfred nearby.
This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 0 regular beers.
Warrington Hotel, Maida Vale
Changing beers typically include: East London - Pale Ale , Morland - Old Speckled Hen
Source: National
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Real Heritage Pub
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