6.00pm - 7.00pm

Lord Clyde
27 Clennam Street, SE1 1ER

- The first of the "five pinters". It's somewhat out on its own but very much worth finding. Here's what Fancy A Pint has to say:

"The Lord Clyde is a gem of a pub tucked away on what must be one of the tiniest streets in London. It's a welcoming place with friendly staff, a good atmosphere and a fine selection of real ales. An inn has stood on this site for almost 300 years and the current building is wonderfully preserved as rebuilt in 1913, featuring glazed tiles, wood panelling, brass fittings and long leather seats. The pub has been run by the Fitzpatrick family since 1956, and the landlady offers a menu of home-cooked English fare. If you need a literary incentive to come here, you might want to know that the Lord Clyde is located close to the original site of the Tabard Inn, where Chaucer's pilgrims started out towards Canterbury. The young Dickens also lodged nearby so that he could visit his father in the debtors prison at Marshalsea."

The curtains at the door are a nice touch too!

7.10pm - 8.10pm

The Royal Oak
44 Tabard Street, SE1 4JU

- Head back to Marshalsea Road and proceed in a south-easterly direction to the big road junction. Cross over Great Dover Street and the next road parallel to that is Tabard Street, whereupon we will find our second "five pinter". FAP calls it a "five pinter in every department". Having walked off your first couple of pints, you'll be ready for a pint of one of the various ales from Harveys of Lewes or, in my case, one of the several artisan ciders. The wine list looks good, as does the food menu. We could always stay here all evening!

8.15pm - 8.55pm

The Kings Arms
65 Newcomen Street, SE1 1YT

- I'm afraid that this pub is only worthy of a four pint rating. Someone must have taken against the slightly ornate decor. However, it's a good old-fashioned boozer with a decent range of beverages down a quiet side street. Probably the quickest way to get there from the Royal Oak is to go back up Tabard Street, turn right into Long Lane and then left into Tennis Street.

9.00pm - 9.40pm

George Inn
Borough High Street, SE1 1NH

- Head back out to Borough High Street, turn right and head towards London Bridge station; the George is in a yard off to the right. I'm sure you've all been before but for those who haven't: it's an old coaching inn which is a maze of higgledy-piggledy rooms. It has fine beers, including its own George Ale. I fail to see why FAP only gives a two pint rating.

9.40pm - 10.20pm

Old Kings Head
King's Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High Street, SE1 9AL

- Hidden down a little alleyway just a little further up Borough High Street (there is a sign at the end of the alleyway), FAP sums this one up thus:

"Borough High Street abounds in famous watering holes, but this is one of the area's lesser known pubs. It may not have as wide a range of beers nor as historic a setting as some of its neighbours, but it makes up for it with its genial staff and a decent atmosphere. If what you're looking for in a pub near London Bridge is a traditional boozer with a cosy feel, then this one is certainly worth a look." (3 pints)

10.20pm - closing

The Market Porter
9 Stoney Street, SE1 9AA

- I'm hoping that the usual post-work rush will have died down here by this time. Another old favourite just inside Borough Market (just cross over the junction of Borough High St and Southwark St). It offers a wide range of beers (including Harveys again) and ciders and is worthy of its four pint rating. If it is still far too busy, we could try the Wheatsheaf just down the street.

So, that's an average of 3.83 (recurring) pints - average rating, that is, not average number of pints consumed per pub!