ALL four pubs in Park Street are set on the same side of the old Roman road, Watling Street, within yards of each other, so I decided to try the Overdraught and leave the Swan, Falcon and Old Red Lion for another day (start checking out your beer lines and polishing the brasses, landlords).

Sadly for the Roman legionnaires, the Overdraught was not there to slake their thirst when they marched from Londinium to Verulamium, but it has been around a good while.

It dates back to the 18th Century, boasting beams and a noteworthy listed fireplace, a wide aperture of ancient brick under a weighty wooden lintel.

The tiny bar serves both the main, double room at the front and snug little bar behind. Small it may be, but there is still room for six handpumps with beers including Greene King IPA and the two London brewers, Fuller's London Pride and Young's Special, decently kept if not outstanding, at £1.10 for a half.

The specials board boasted only lamb shank with rosemary at £5.50, and chicken and chips, though there is also a plastic menu of pub staples from the all-day breakfast (double everything) to burgers, sausage, mash and onion gravy, ham, egg and chips, fresh sandwiches and snacks such as filled potato shells at £3.50.

With vases of fresh flowers, there is a distinctly Victorian feel to the wood-panelled front bar, which is clean and neat as a new pin. Old pictures line the walls, and several wooden table tops rest on wrought iron sewing machine bases. There is at least one actual sewing machine in its walnut case, too, and even a piano.

Outside, a plant border is filled with a rather interesting selection of shrubs, leading to a grassy area with tables and seating, a covered seating area where they probably have their barbecue, separate swings and a slide for children, and a fair-sized car park.

Almost empty when I visited, I daresay it's busier at evenings and weekends, when they do a Sunday roast.

SN