The Flower Pot, Lower Sunbury, Sunbury-On-Thames

After dabbling as a gastropub this seems to have returned to being a reasonably pleasant local, although the interior remains in shades of gastro grey. One U-shaped room extends round the central bar area, with a cosy room with a sofa and armchairs to one side and a dining area to the other. A small roadside patio is outside. Noted for serving Brakspears beers for many years, the pub is now owned by the Brakspears pubco so unsurprisingly provided an excellent condition Braks Bitter, with Bombardier and Doom Bar also available. Somewhat improved over recent years.

Six handpumps all bearing beers from Brakspears, doubled up, Bitter, Oxford Gold and new to me Pride of the River, supposedly a golden ale but it was about as blonde as a mousy type who thinks she is. The pub has a U-shaped space with the bar central, part flagged but not looking original, part boarded. Mixed seating, one far right hand end seems to be more restaurant than pub, the other return has sofas and armchairs and looks more intimate except for there being a TV there. There is a fairly low beamed ceiling in the bar area but this rises to each side casting doubt on its originality. Grey painted bar front, ruched window blinds, tree themed wallpaper at the foody end, Christmas menus already displayed including a mini tree and tinsel, this is no traditional pub inside. They do accommodation, this may be what residents like but although nothing offends me about the place it doesn't attract me either. Some outdoor seating with marginal river views.

Flower Pot page at the Brakspear site - www.brakspear.co.uk

Flower Pot page at the Brakspear site - www.brakspear.co.uk