Fox & Hounds, Battersea, SW11

Tris C left this review about Fox & Hounds

This is quite a commanding and attractive Victorian backstreet pub, a fair way down Latchmere Road and displaying a very fine floral array with an ornate seemingly pargetted fascia above the picture windows; it’s clear that it has also expanded into the Victorian house to the rear and is dolled up with burgundy and cream livery, a colour scheme which is repeated to the inside, with some cast iron columns, dark wainscoting, burgundy windowsills and cream walls to a burgundy Anaglypta ceiling (see photo). Thereafter it’s rough bare boarded, furniture being traditional, décor in the form of Victorian/Edwardian and Art Nouveau prints for beverage manufacturers, some sprays of flowers, all illuminated by Victorian/Edwardian tulip sconces. Beyond, it’s multi-roomed and as mentioned, there is a food bent here with some specials costing £24.50 advertised on a blackboard, though I didn’t spot all the Michelin flummery, food served from an unobtrusive open kitchen, tables not laid for dining. Entertainment came in the form of an unnaturally small and therefore unobtrusive TV, sound off, decent soundtrack on the stereo. Customers initially seemed few, a number of older punters in the pub, but as I was to find out, far more and a younger group in the pretty rear garden.
A cask selection amounted to an unused pump, Landlord (clip reversed, the pub being a Taylor Championship member), Pride then Tribute in excellent shape though at an unjustifiably pricey £3.00 a half – I had two – served by a courteous barman.
This place is proof that there is a genuinely decent pub in SW11; the Landlord in action and the Pride ditched in favour of something more adventurous – e.g., Twickenham’s Naked Ladies – would have got the score up to an ‘8’.

On 13^th September 2023 - rating: 7
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