Three Crowns, Staines Upon Thames

Situated a few hundred yards around the corner from Ashford (Middx) FC, a pre/post match pint is probably the only reason you would venture to the Three Crowns. There is nothing intrinsicly wrong with the place but it does typify the averageness of the pubs in the Stanwell / Ashford area. The carpeted interior has been knocked through with the large room bookended by Big Screens. The walls are paneled in light wood and a modern brick fireplace stands at one end but overall the place is more neat, tidy and functional than somewhere that oozes much in the way of character. A dart board is secretely tucked away behind part of an old interuior wall. To the right hand side of the bar is a conservatory area and at the rear, a garden with childrens playground. There were 3 hand pumps however just 2 operational, London Pride (£3.25) and Ruddles Best. The Pride wasn’t the best I’ve ever had to be polite about it. They were setting up the entire pub for a 50th birthday function on my post match visit which suggests that they were probably not expecting much else in the way of business that evening despite the Football club having a gate 4 times higher than normal on the day of my visit. The few who were present were not exactly a good advert for the pub or the area in general with their intrusive language which went unabated despite the kids present helping to put up the balloons and bunting. On the whole, not really somewhere I would hurry back to.

Nice and clean, with an OK pint of Bombadier (the only handpull). Has a couple of real fires on the go which should add a cosy atmosphere, but found the chairs and some aspects of the decor a little too clinical to be cosy, landlord should be looking to improve on this. The little conservatory out the back is a good addition. Keep an eye out for grumble on the road leading up to the pub, it seems to be a hotspot for discarded jazz mags. Comfier seating and a second handpull would make this place a worthwhile visit.