The Royal Oak, Isleworth

Having been spurred into action by the previous reviewers remarks, I decided to attempt to remedy my lack of reviewing dedication and paid my first visit to this pub on Wednesday afternoon. It’s a Fullers’s pub so I was not surprised to see pumps with London Pride, Chiswick, ESB and Gale’s Butser clips on them. I was, however, surprised to be told once I had made my selection that only the Pride was on. This is not good by Fuller’s standards. To make matters worse the Pride was pretty much undrinkable. All in all a poor performance beer-wise. There was a limited menu on the table – sarnies were mainly £2.95 and main course mainly (no pun) £5.95. These are quite reasonable prices in fact. The pub itself I rather liked as it had a distinctly “pubby” feel to it. It has a low ceiling laced with beams; some original, probably inter-war wood panelling on the walls; some screening remaining which would probably at one time have divided the pub into separate rooms; and a bit of etched glasswork. There are a couple of attractive fireplaces, one with a gas fire alight, plus masses of miscellaneous bric-a-brac, prints, photographs and the like on the walls and all over the place. The ceiling even sported more prints and the like, as well as some certificates awarded to the pub and publican. This is a comfortable and interesting pub, with only normal tables and chairs, and a good quality clean carpet on the floor. The outside seating next to the small river is a nice touch. If it wasn’t for the woeful beer situation on the day I visited I would have recommended this pub highly. I reckon I was unlucky enough to have hit it on a very bad day – even the best of pubs have them now and then – and I’ll try to give it another chance sometime.

Randomness Guide to London - Royal Oak entry

Randomness Guide to London - Royal Oak entry

The Royal Oak page at the official Fullers brewery site - www.fullers.co.uk

The Royal Oak page at the official Fullers brewery site - www.fullers.co.uk