The Rose & Crown, W5

Hidden behind the church it’s a Fullers pub and pretty much as described by Rex and Tris. It has two bars and the big extension at the back. The front bar on entering appears unused except perhaps at busy times, there are four pulls here and going left into the bigger main bar two sets of four; Oliver’s Ale, Pride and ESB on all sets, with Pride doubled up. There’s a Siren beer on among the prosaic kegs. I think I’d agree with Tris, the Red Lion has the best atmosphere but on the night the beer was better in the Rose & Crown.

Another of three Fuller’s pubs in the vicinity, this dating from the early 19th century, but undoubtedly rebuilt in the early ‘30s in the shadow of a great big grey church. Likely unchanged since Rex’s visit, there are leaded lights with charming stained-glass depictions of roses and crowns; multi-roomed, the interior is largely unspoilt with much dark lacquered wood, probably original. Paintwork is deep purple, bottle green or teal, with some floral Arts & Crafts-style wallpaper then a white coffered ceiling. Furniture is traditional, as is the overall feel, with décor in the form of shelves of books and eclectic framed prints, lighting coming from traditional Victorian/Edwardian-style blown glass sconces, then trendy lamps hanging above the bar. Customers were older than at the other pubs and less studenty, with one old dear sipping a pint of lager at a table opposite me. The Fuller’s ale choice was predictable, minus a Dark Star option, me going for a half of ESB at £2.85 and decent. This is pub is ok, one of three decent Fuller’s outlets here, but I’d still take the Red Lion over this one; the lack of a Dark Star option was a disappointment.

This pub is much larger than it looks from the outside. As you enter there's a small library-style room on the right; to the left is a much larger room where the bar counter's located. This room has a good mix of traditional tables and chairs and sofas, plus a piano. Continuing to the back up a step or two (or a short ramp for disabled customers) is another room with more normal tables and chairs, plus a couple of skylights. This room has the look of being added to the pub at some stage, and leads on to the largish garden at the rear. The flooring's a mix of varnished bare boards and parquet, with several large carpets to break up the space a bit. I think this looks very attractive indeed. Other notable features are the rose and crown motifs in the windows, and the old black and white photographs of local interest (e.g. of Ealing Studios, of comedy film fame). This is another pub deep in Fuller's heartland. This one had on ESB, Oliver's Island, and London Pride (£2 a half). I didn't eat here but noticed that a lunch menu had sandwiches at £7.50 a pop, which is a little more expensive than the Castle Inn down the road. This is an attractive and easy on the eye pub, starting with planters outside bursting with colourful flowers at this time of year to the clean and smart interior. This is the sort of pub to which you could take your mother for sunday lunch.

Official site of The Rose & Crown - www.roseandcrownealing.co.uk

Official site of The Rose & Crown - www.roseandcrownealing.co.uk