where shall we meet? Jack Straw's Castle, NW3

Jack Straw was Wat Tyler's right-hand man. Like all the best democrats, he was put to death, and here was where it happened. As revenge, Hitler bombed it, so the current building dates back to the 1960s: but a very nice piece of building it is too, looking a bit like a Mississippi steam boat perched on Hampstead Heath. The ground-floor bar is lined with a much lighter, rosier wood than is common in pubs and seated bay windows let in plenty of light. Staff are polite and don't make you feel you should be drinking pints (cappuccino is pounds 1.25 and hot chocolate pounds 1) and there's an attractive courtyard outdoors. The pick of the pubs on the Heath.

Serena Mackesy

Jack Straw's Castle, North End Way, NW3 (0171-435 8885)