The Warwick Castle, W9

Randomness Guide to London - Warwick Castle entry

Randomness Guide to London - Warwick Castle entry

The pub has an attractive exterior with impressive floral displays in baskets and pots and the large pendant lamp hanging from the wall. The front step has what must be original tiling, and there are stained glass windows to the lobby with similar inserts to the front windows, which have some etched glass. The main room has the bar, bare boarded floors, and some wood panelling. A Bass mirror is displayed. The semi separated area beyond has less tradition, and a couple of those modern style sofas. There is a side room, after passing through another entrance lobby. A marble fire place remains in here, a quieter area, which also has a few board games, including chess. The front windows fold back here, and gave a fair chill through the pub on what was an unseasonally cool early evening. There is further outdoor seating in the form of a few benches to the front. I didn't eat but the basic food menu my drinking companions sampled looked ok. Three ales on, Doom Bar, Sambrook's Wandle and Bombardier. There is an extensive wine list. The plasma high on the bar wall has Sky News on muted. Not bad, but seems to sit between the traditional and semi-trendy camps, probably having to address the preferences of the newer residents of this gentrified area.

This is a very welcoming and homely pub in a small road near to Little Venice. I had a very nice pint of Twickenham Spring Ale in here the other day. Shame the food wasn’t as good – a pretty ordinary beefburger and chips for £6.95. A still like this pub very much, but will have to make a better choice from the menu next time. It was pretty busy on a Friday lunchtime, with a largish leaving party occupying the room on the left, and all the outside tables occupied as a result of the lovely weather. It still has some of its original Victorian character intact. The most impressive feature remaining from those days is probably the large lamp outside, which would have been there to advertise the pub’s presence at a time when the all-embracing street lighting that we enjoy today had yet to arrive in Maida Vale. A friendly, inviting pub that will get a return visit from me.

I liked it in here and the landlady was very friendly. The Doombar was very good and Cornish Coaster and Pride were also available alongside standard and premium lagers. The main bar is very comfortable and has a small plasma screen (turned off) and an open fire. There is also another quieter room to the side that also has a plasma screen which was also turned off. After venturing in here after a few disappointing pubs I was pleasantly surprised and would gladly drink in here again and recommend it to others.