...anyone for skittles or pell mell?..
	FREEMASONS ARMS	London NW3 1NT	32 Downshire Hill, Hampstead
	Unfortunately, whilst trying to extend the original 19th century Freemason's Arms, the building was found to be unsafe and had to be demolished. Todays pub was built in the 1930's, in a grand Regency style, with small bow windows and neat columns. This is a smart looking pub, dressed up with flowers in tubs and window boxes. The interior is immaculate. One enormous bar runs the full length of the pub. It is broken up into smaller, cosier seating areas by wooden settles and partitions. The style is a curious mix of winebar and farmhouse.	Food is the big draw and lunchtimes are busy. The superb garden has plenty of seating and is well used on warm days. Hampstead Heath is just a stones-throw away, a good place to walk off lunch. A survivor from the original pub, although not used, is a 'pell mell' court. This ancient game involves rolling a large heavy wooden ball through iron hoops, a sort of croquet without the mallet. There's a London skittle alley here too. This game, the forerunner of tenpin bowling, involves hurling a 'cheese' of lignum vitae at hornbeam skittles down a 21ft. alley. Thirsty work! Skittle club meets Tuesday & Saturday nights.
			OPEN Mon-Sat 11.00-23.00 Sun 12.00-22.30 TEL 020 7435 4498 Credit Cards: All major TUBE Hampstead, Hampstead Heath(BR)
			FOOD Bar 12.00-22.00
			BEER Bass