The Castle Inn, W5

A fine, probably early 19th century exterior but internally a bit of a mish mash with odd original bits and a fair bit of imported stuff like the flag floor. A couple of screens and I had the misfortune to visit when some important European game was on, the pub wasn’t busy just a few old lads and the barman were watching, a local family were eating and uninterested in the sport; I was the only other customer for a while. It filled up a bit later. Five pumps of cask but asking for Proper Job it wasn’t on - turn the clip round! The remaining choice was Pride, Hophead and a Gales badged beer with zero connection to Gales of Horndean; I had a lacklustre Hophead. Ten solos provide a standard sort of keg choice. I think they’ve lost or finished the can of Brasso that Tris mentioned. The Lav’s are located by the rear beer garden and there’s an outdoor drinking space to the left of the pub.

This pub dates back to the mid-18th century, but was probably rebuilt in the 19th, superficially resembling the neighbouring Red Lion, also a Fuller’s house. The pub goes back a fair bit and is mainly traditional, with a dark colour scheme, some exposed brick painted white, white matchboard ceiling with some exposed dark wood rafters, then much exposed wood, which is probably original but looks good nonetheless; the floor is bare boarded, pale and probably quite new. Furniture is traditional, décor comprising some mixed framed prints and knickknacks, along with bored games. What is of note is the huge phalanx of copper pump handles and keg taps, all gleaming and exuding a strong smell of Brasso. Customers were by far the most studenty of the area’s four pubs, a young woman participating in the open mic night, belting out ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’, to much enthusiasm. A predictable Fuller’s ale line-up, me going for the Hophead option (£2.65 a half and good), served by a friendly barman. This is a pretty decent place, the open mic night making for something different, but probably because of this – and the lowest prices in this enclave – it’s the most studenty of the four around WLU.

Another attractive looking Fullers pub a few hundred yards down from The Red Lion, this one is a little more modernised inside but comfortable all the same, the floor is a mixture of flagstone and laminate wood, a fair number of normal height table and chairs spread throughout the pub. on the bar there was a cask choice of Pride, Hophead and a Fullers seasonal Swing Low. Nice enough pub.

This is a Fuller's pub with London Pride (obviously), Double Summer ("yeastie bits"?) and Oliver's Island (£4 a pint) on. Being a Fuller's pub food's available of course; ciabatta sandwiches are £6 and main courses around £9 - £12. A special of the day advertised on a board outside offered a chorizo burger and chips plus a pint of Frontier for £12.50. I do dislike these sort of offers that offer a drink that you don't want - I'd never heard of Frontier, but according to the keg font it's a "craft lager", which I would guess is just a lager. Anyway, like Fuller's pubs generally this one is very comfortable and well looked after. The flooring's an interesting mix of bare boards and flagstones at the front where the bar counter's located, and with a larger carpeted area at the rear. The leaded windows are an interesting feature, including a fanlight above the front door. But it looks like everything else inside are modern replacements, including the bar back, bar counter, and ceiling panelling. I guess if it's all still there in a 100 years they will be regarded as heritage features. Furnishings are mainly normal tables and chairs, but with an armchair or two, and thankfully no tall tables and tall stools. There's apparently an award winning garden (according to a sign in the pub) at the back but I didn't bother to explore it. This is a clean and comfortable pub but with nothing very special about it. It did have a few flashy additions, such as sprigs of flowers and candles on the tables, as well as a demi-john style water (and cucumber) container with glasses on a shelf at one end of the bar labelled as a "rehydration station". I find beer is ideal for rehydration, but everyone to their own I guess. This one is well worth stopping off for a swift one, as long as you're OK with Fuller's ales.

Official site of The Castle Inn - www.castleealing.co.uk

Official site of The Castle Inn - www.castleealing.co.uk