'I visited the iconic Goodnight Sweetheart pub and couldn't believe one thing'

Fans of the time travelling BBC sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart rejoiced recently with the news that the writers Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks are set to write a book detailing what happened to the characters. Having reached their kickstarter target to fund the project it is all systems go. As a huge fan of the show I was one of the many who were thrilled with the news and decided to take myself off to the iconic pub from the show to celebrate. The Rose and Crown - or The Royal Oak as it is known in real life - is an integral part of the show as it is here that Nicholas Lyndhurt's Gary Sparrow finds himself when he time travels back to war torn London from his cosy life in the 1990s.

When I told some people I was visiting here, I was surprised to learn they had never realised it was an actual pub having always assumed it was a purpose built BBC set. Located on Columbia Road in London's Bethnal Green the exterior will be instantly recognisable to fans of the show. The name may be different but there is no mistaking it as you approach. The real life Duckett's Passage, Ezra Street is also nearby allowing fans to literally walk in Gary's footsteps. Despite many modern business in the surrounding area it looks like it was transported back in time with it's very traditional facade.

However this is where the nostalgia ends as the moment you step inside you realise this bar is rather bougie. I visited on a Saturday and jugs of their special Bloody Mary mix were sitting on the bar and proving very popular with people looking for the "hair of the dog". The bar features a mix of craft beers and standard lagers, plus the obligatory Guinness. They also boast an impressive cocktail menu.

The food is also a far cry from the East End wartime fare Gary and his pub landlady wartime love Phoebe (played first by Dervla Kirwan and later Liz Carling) would have consumed. Although there is a sandwich menu from Monday to Friday at weekends they up the ante. The impressive menu boast small plates such as Smoked Haddock Fish Cake, Rocket, anchovies and Caper Mayonaisse for £9.

Meanwhile mains include a Cyder Batter Haddock and chips, curry Sauce, Tartare Sauce, Mushy Peas and burnt lemon for £19. There are also vegan and gluten free dishes available. For those with a sweet tooth puddings, which include a Spiced Rum Sticky Toffee Pudding, Whiskey Toffee Sauce and ice cream are a mere £7.

The whole vibe is very chilled and there is a garden space for when weather allows. Although I was there quite early as I was heading to a matinee show in the West End it was very busy with a good mix of tourists and locals. Pub quizzes and other events were advertised and it was clear this is a bustling and busy loacation.

The barman John told me that even though Goodnight Sweetheart has been off air for years they still get a lot of visitors because of it.

"I've been here for five years. We do get a lot over the last couple of years, because we there was a reunion a couple of years ago. They did something upstairs in the dining room here. I think there was a fan club meet as well. We still get people coming in asking about it. It's well known, and it's something that we mention on our socials and that we tell people about as well."

Aside from Goodnight Sweetheart the pub has also served as a location for several well known films. It featured in Guy Richie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and both The Krays, which starred Martin and Gary Kemp and Legend, starring Tom Hardy. "We actually get people coming in doing the Krays tour as well," he said.

However John revealed punters are unlikely to spot stars as despite it's popularity as a location filming tends to be done very early in the day.