The Blue Anchor, Hammersmith, W6

A prominent spot on the Thames just a few yards away from Hammersmith Bridge, this may be familiar to viewers of BBC’s “New Tricks” as the sleuthing detectives would often retire here after successfully solving the case. Although quite traditional looking from the outside, it is perhaps a little more contemporary internally than I had imagined with sanded wooden boards on the floor, cream paintwork on the walls and a deep salmon shade on the ceiling. Elsewhere was khaki green paint on the timberwork and some dark wood panelling to the left. A small snug at the rear was a cosy spot with lemon yellow walls and an old tiled fireplace with a wood burning stove. Several stools were along the front of the pub to sit at the window and make the most of the outlook. As befits it’s location, various nautical artefacts were dotted around including a couple of whole canoes on the ceiling, a few old drawings of the river, various oars in all shapes and sizes and even a couple of anchors. For a change, there did not appear to be a glass display case with a selection of knots. A further room was upstairs, although we did not investigate this. Beers on tap were Nelson’s Blue Anchor Ale, Truman’s Blindside, Five Points’ Railway Porter and Wimbledon’s Copper Leaf Ale. The solitary cider meanwhile was Aspall’s Suffolk.

A well located riverside pub,an L shaped room with a fair amount of dark wood in evidence and the previously described rowing paraphernalia, three beers were on from the four handpumps, on a Monday lunchtime visit, Exile Urban Fox, Portobello APA and Cronx Nektar. I decided to try a pint of the latter which turned out to be rather unremarkable, what was remarkable was the £4.80 I was charged for the pleasure. The Anchor may have potentially a more interesting beer choice than The Dove just along the river, but doesn't share its charm and at these prices for a frankly ordinary 4.5% beer I don't intend to be back too soon.

Originally licenced as The Blew Anchor in 1722, this former Courage house is the oldest pub on the Hammersmith river walk, The Dove's licence dating from only the 1790s! This is quite a traditional pub with some lovely dark wood panelling and fine Courage regalia stating that wine is delivered direct from the docks. Furniture is mixed and not surprisingly for the area, the walls and ceilings are covered with rowing paraphernalia, such as sculls, blades, propellers, rudders and the like. There wasn't any music playing but noise levels were high due to the acoustics and the pub being rather full; the crowd here seemed much older and I don't know if they are perhaps from local rowing clubs. Ales: Mad Squirrel's American Pale Ale, Nelson Brewing Co's Blue Anchor Ale, Binghams Brewery's Twyford Tipple and Wimbledon Brewery's Tower SPA at a steep £2.30 a half. This beer is described as 'Fruit, floral spice and orange on the aroma lead on to a full, rounded middle palate. It is completed with a satisfying bittersweet finish.' Perhaps my half was off, but to me it tasted of stilton, a similar taste I experienced in a pint of Hopback's Winter Lightning a few months ago. Beer query aside, in many ways we preferred this to The Dove and it's certainly streets ahead of The Rutland next door. I'd certainly head here if in W6 and would have given a higher rating if a dog hadn't been wandering around underfoot and my half hadn't tasted cheesy.

As it was empty of customers you can see its a bit tired décor wise but still an interesting pub.4 beers Nelson -blue anchor ale, Portobello -star,Sambrookes -junction and my Itchen Valley -belgarum which was good.Nautical but nice.