Star Rating

* * * * * * * * * *

The Plough Inn 

173 Wood Street

Walthamstow    

London, E17 3NU   map

Tel 020 8503 7419

www.theploughinne17.co.uk/

Formerly thought of only as ‘the pub next to Wood Street station’ the Plough has become one of E17’s essential music venues. It boasts regular jazz, blues and folk  events and is host to Walthamstow Folk every Sunday. It’s probably best to visit the pub's website for an extensive gig list – tickets can be bought online too.
The Plough has been standing since 1875 when Wood Street was literally a path through the woods. The pub must have gone through quite a few changes during the last 134 years and its current efforts to promote itself as a live music venue can only be applauded.
Over the past year or so the interior seemed to be in a constant state of refurbishment - but they seem to be finished now. The Plough is a Fullers house and sells a very clean pint of London Pride along with some other interesting beers on draught – namely Leffe, Hoegaarden and Sagres (a Portuguese premium lager). The wine, when I sampled it, was above average (for a pub wine). 
There is a small TV in the bar area and a large screen in the function room that broadcasts Sky - The big screen is reserved for the big sporting events and can draw quite a crowd. There is a large garden at the rear which, like the bar area, is undergoing some repair work.
On Friday and Saturday nights the pub gets busy and the use of candles on tables gives the Plough a warm friendly feel. On quieter evenings the Plough seems to suffer the hangover of being a typical station pub, and the atmosphere then can feel a little grim.

February 2009