Soldiers Return, Uxbridge

This is now a Greene King pub of course, which had on IPA and Abbot (£1.80 a half) when I visited recently. The room at the front seems to be for drinkers, whereas the room at the back on the left seemed to be where diners choose to sit, as these were the only tables that had the usual GK illustrated glossy menus on them. But it wasn't signed as a dining room, and there didn't seem to be any problem with me sitting there with my half - of course it was pretty empty during my mid-afternoon, midweek visit with only one other couple in there eating. There was mainly pub grub on the menu, but I did see a Sunday roast advertised at £6.69, and a seniors (60+) deal available Mon-Fri all day with two courses for £4.99, with a third course for an extra quid. I've had a seniors meal in a GK pub, and although they are smaller than the regular portions they are fine if you just want a snack for lunch. Whereas the "dining room" at the back is carpeted and comfortably furnished with normal tables and chairs, the abar area at the front has mainly tall tables/tall stools. The pub also has a small car park, and a fairly unkempt "beer garden" at the back. Although this pub looks very attractive from the outside with its floral displays, on the inside it's a typical Greene King pub.

A John Barras pub in a 1930s building with a car park at one side and a covered seating terrace at the front. The single large bar has a parquet floor and gas fire, while a bow window adds a little character. There are gaming machines and TVs in the bar, but no-one was paying these any attention, the banter was quite blokey and the atmosphere was convivial. Three ales on draft were GK IPA and Tribute, plus GK's Oompah, which, unusually, was too warm but otherwise reasonably well kept. A decent retreat, worth including in a crawl.