The Bulls Head, Chiswick, W4

Terrible experience. The bar staff were absolutely run ragged. There appeared to be one bloke trying to manage two bars who kept disappearing and various others who would come behind the bar, table service people and then disappear. After 15 frustrating minutes, I was served. I came in for a Timothy Taylor and was delighted they had Boltmaker - a rarity (outside Skipton). It was served almost frozen and was pretty poor. I had fond memories of this place from many years ago, but its either a victim of its own success or run by inadequate staff.

The Bulls Head page at the Chef & Brewer site - www.chefandbrewer.com

Attractive old pub in a prime position right on the Thames riverbank (with steps down to the water), adjacent to Kew Railway Bridge. Two small bars plus several seating areas, some on a lower level. Traditional interior with exposed timbers and low ceilings, but modern furniture and decor. Some wood benches tables out front. Two banks of three handpumps, offering Doom Bar and Pride (£3.60) with the Tribute off. All a bit corporate inside, but still a pleasant place to stop for a pint.

The Bulls Head page at the Chef & Brewer site - www.chefandbrewer.com

This is lovely quaint pub full of hidden tables in little corners. Located in a great location in the Strand on the Green area of Chiswick overlooking the River Thames (next to the Railway Bridge). There was a printed menu with special midweek lunchtime and evening meal deal which were excellent value. There was also a Special Chalkboard offering some tempting dishes. The food was well cooked and presented with table service.the staff were well trained and gave a very good customer service. The beer was well maintained. It was very difficult to fault.

This was my favourite of the three pubs on the Strand on the Green and it probably still is after revisiting on Saturday. As previously reported it is an old pub building of much character and internally a warren of little rooms, nooks and crannies which means you can usually sit and not feel you are overlooked by everyone. However it has had a bit of a make over since my last visit and some of the character and charm has been lost with removal of a lot of the old artefacts and wall prints. Some still remain but it definitely has undergone a bit of a Chef and Brewer blandness upgrade, and now definitely focuses on the food side rather than the wet side. Fortunately a decent beer choice remains and the two banks of three ale hand pumps were supporting four different real ales with the usual Youngs Bitter and CW Bombadier complemented by Hook Norton Bitter and Brains Reverend James and both of these were well kept pints.

A clearly old riverside pub, stated to be at least 350 years on a board inside. The inside is an absolute warren of little rooms, nooks and crannies and so forth, with the floor levels changing as you move around. The original pub was enlarged by the incorporation of an adjoining cottage. Very low beamed ceilings, half panelled walls, old pictures of the area, river and also livestock, a grandfather clock, plates mounted on walls and beams. A couple of larger beams near the bar have hops wound around them. This is a Chef and Brewer pub, so you get the big menus on tables and the proliferation of chalkboard menus, which for me takes a little gloss of the historical feel. Beers were Youngs London Gold, Youngs Ordinary, GK Suffolk Swift, Bombardier and Thwaites Nutty Black. I was pleased to see my initially slightly short pint was topped up by the barman without the need for a prompt. Being right on the river's edge flooding can be a problem here, and in one of the side rooms a board displays the dates and times of expected particularly high tides. There is an historical claim that Oliver Cromwell frequented The Bull's Head and had to flee from Royalist troops via a secret tunnel under the river to an island now known as Oliver's Island, however this is unsubstantiated especially as no such tunnel has ever been found. A good game to play here is "Hunt the Gent's Toilets", as I must have done two full circuits of the pub looking for them, before another drinker directed me. Unsigned, they are down a short flight of stairs opposite the bar at the river end.

In my view the best of the pubs along the Strand on the Green. Always some interesting guest ales on as well as the usual regulars. Great setting by the river of course, and an interior full of real character. Definitely worth seeking out.

I popped in here last Friday afternoon. It was totally empty except for a pleasant member of staff who poured me a pint of very nice lager and phoned me a cab so I could go somewhere else. It's not really worth me walking past the Bell and Crown to visit, so I doubt I'll go back.