The General Eliott, Uxbridge

A small brass plate under a print of the eponymous general helpfully informs us that this pub is named after Augustus Eliott, Baron Heathfield 1717-1790 - Defender of Gibraltar. Defending it against the Spanish I suppose. There's a peninsular bar on the left hand side of the room; some flagstone flooring near the bar; a bit of a carpetted area on the right; with some bare boards at the back. Furnishings seem to be exclusively banquettes and normal tables and chairs, and there's a large brick built fireplace on the right with an exposed brickwork breast (oo-er!). A door at the back leads out to some outside seating by the canal - it seems just about every pub near here has a waterside location. This pub had three ales on - London Pride, Bombardier Gold, and Adnam's Ghost Ship (£1.75 a half). The illustrated menu features mainly pub grub - as an example the General Burger, plus chips and coleslaw, is £6.95. A board outside advertised lunchtime deals, with the sandwiches at £2 a pop including chips looking a good bet. Live entertainment seems to be on every Friday and Saturday. This is probably the the best of the three canalside pubs along this stretch of the road; it certainly had the best ale selection on my Friday afternoon visit, even though three on, including a couple of the usual suspects, certainly isn't exceptional. It struck me as a pub the locals would use for a drink. I quite liked it.

One of three canalside pubs to the west of Uxbridge town centre, and the least unattractive of a rather sad-looking lot. However, the pub is more interesting inside but still in definite need of some refurbishment. The central 'U'-shaped bar separates the two seating areas, with the far end of the side facing the canal being used for live music (each Friday and Saturday). The exterior and interior signage indicates plenty of other regular events being held too. Substantial patio area, part-covered, between the building and the canal. A bank of four handpumps can be found on each side of the bar, with the operational ones offering Pride, Doom Bar and Spitfire (not in the freshest condition unfortunately). Reasonably busy on a Sunday lunchtime for the roast lunches, but we tried a couple of other menu items which were tasty and excellent value.