The Bell & Crown, W4

Have utilised the Bell and Crown on several occasions over the years for a decent pint of Pride by the river, but was forced inside on Saturday due to the inclement weather and can concur that it is equally comfortable inside. Usual Fullers Pride and ESB were on but went for the Honeydew which was a decent pint and in line with previous experiences. Never eaten here as I tend to utilise the Bull further up the river for this.

Randomness Guide to London - Bell And Crown entry

Randomness Guide to London - Bell And Crown entry

A traditional Fullers pub, with entrances either from the street or off the river path. There are attractive and well tended floral displays to the frontage. Once inside it is clear this is a proper pub, wood panelled walls, comfortable upholstered banquette seats, the central brick fireplace has a cast iron grate and exposed flue. There are plenty of mirrors and a variety of pictures of local history and interest. One caught my eye showing a Fuller's Brewery worker being ritually tarred and feathered in order to celebrate the completion of his apprenticeship, I'm guessing this was prior to current Health and Safety legislation! The bar sits approximately central along one side of the main area, and has some carved detail and curved end sections. Around from here is a small food servery. Generally carpeted with a boarded area in front of the bar itself. Down a couple of steps at the rear is a lean-to conservatory area, popular it seems with diners, and affording good river views. You can go outside from here to the river path itself where there are a few benches on a small terrace. Three sets of four pumps all dispensing the same, Pride, ESB, Chiswick and Gale's Festival. Service was efficient, the pub was fairly busy and what I assume to be the pub dog was busy entertaining everyone popping balloons. There is a TV screen near the food servery but this was switched off at the time of my visit.

A quality pub indeed. I spent a few hours sitting outside by the river on a warm late September afternoon/early evening - until an unusually high tide came up over the footpath forcing us inside. Lovely place to sit and watch the river roll by. The food in here is pretty good, but it's not cheap. The service has invariably been very friendly when I've been in there.This being a Fuller's house you expect the beer to be good, and I was not disappointed. It's very comfortable to sit inside as well as out. However, when I was in there in November 2008 they were still using sparklers for some reason, but they removed them on request. There can't be many Fullers pubs in London that use them – this is the only one that I know that does. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this remains a decent riverside pub.

I’m a big fan of Fullers pubs and this is one of my favourites as I have been using it for the last six or so years as my work local. The governor is nice enough in a dry sort of way and his wife is always very friendly to all who walk in. In the past the staff have been a bit miserable, but the current team are very friendly and on the ball. The bar runs most of the length of the main pub area and there is a range of Fullers beers alongside some standard draught. There is a conservatory with large windows at the rear of the pub and it has great views of the Thames. There is also a kitchen service area and some more seating around the corner of the pub at the rear, but strangely I have never had the need to venture around here. There is some seating railed off from the tow path at the rear of the pub and there are also some picnic tables on the tow path for riverside drinking. This pub is well worth a visit and in my opinion is the best in the area.