The Kings Arms, Hanwell, W7

Some impressive green glazed tiling outside,the interior is large with three sections .To the left more of a dining area with the elegant curved bar a feature,the central tap room contains the handpumps while a large rear billiards room is now just a seating area but noteworthy. Two handpumps but only one dispensing Fullers London Pride,so ubiquitous as to be boring.The same can be said of the interior after an unsympathetic refurb.Too dull to warrant a revisit.

Official site of The Kings Arms - kingsarmshanwell.co.uk

Official site of The Kings Arms - kingsarmshanwell.co.uk

A minor entry on the CAMRA Inventory list, having been vandalised 8-odd years ago. Some nice lower tiled exterior and interior bits and bobs (mainly the intricate wood and glass divider at the bar, plus parquet floored and stained glass windowed jumbo side room) remain but otherwise not a huge amount to write home about; the wood panelling has been painted over and interior is a bit barn like in a modern style, plus there was a smell of farts (cabbage being boiled in the kitchen??). No cask, so a swift half of keg it was. Not much to recommend it, really.

Wording to the exterior indicates that this pub dates from the mid-17th century, rebuilt in 1930 in the brewers’ Tudor style for Mann, Crossman & Paulin and listed on CAMRA’s inventory of pubs with historic interiors as being of Some Regional Importance, photos of which can be seen on their site; the pub is now part of the Frontier pubs chain. I didn’t really find the interior to be anything special, so suspect that it has been mucked about with, but the divisions between parts of the bar were of interest, the bare brick less so. Furniture was conventional as were the customers, many with dogs in tow. A friendly barman relieved me of £2.40 for a half of the only ale on offer: London Brewing’s Beer Street which tasted not unlike cold mulled wine. This isn’t a great pub, but it’s a showstopper compared to the Duke of York across the road, judging by its punters drinking outside. However, the incessantly barking dogs drove me out of this place, proving to me to be the final Frontier.

Despite some nice external tiling the pub looks a bit tired and tatty, the huge cavernous interior also isn't helped by the dull dark green colour scheme making it seem rather dingey. Plenty of TV screens had however brought a good few punters through the door to watch the football. There are a couple of handpumps but were unclipped and not in use on my visit, I'm not sure if this is a permanent move as there was plenty of craft Keg options available. I had a pint of Siren Suspended In Sabro, setting me back £6.00. It's a high street pub that serves a purpose but it didn't really do it for me.