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Pub Of The Month - April 2026 with Bucking Fastard on the Pub Forum

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Submitted on Thursday, 3^rd July 2014
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The King William IV, Marshalswick, St. Albans

Pub added by Dave McNally

185 Sandridge Road
St. Albans
AL1 4AH

Correct details

Pub Type

Ember Inns (Mitchells & Butlers)

Served areas

Marshalswick

Reviews of The King William IV (Average Rating: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Komakino . left this review about The King William IV

Imposing is the right term for this roadside pub, located at the brow of a hill between Marshalwick and St Albans. If approaching from Valley Road, it looms over you at the traffic lights. Boldly proclaiming Free House on its painted exterior, it remains under the clutches of Ember Inns, and due to its corner plot, has a semi-hexagonal bar counter of three sections roughly slanted 120° from each other. This meant 3 x banks of 4 x handpumps, offering Adnams Broadside (x2), Bass (x2), Dark Star Hophead, Fullers ESB, Fullers London Pride (x2), Timothy Taylor Landlord (x2) and Wainwright (x2). Plumping for the bière du jour, Bass, I got a decent pint (NBSS 3) for £4.65 and a chance to update the keeper of the Bass list, as this pub hadn't been recorded. Settling down to tuck into my pint I then noticed a sign stating that Camra members were entitled to a 20% discount of the price of a pint of real ale (d'oh!) A small throng of people in attendance on a weekday afternoon means there are some boxes being ticked here, and although no destination pub by any stretch, the ale line-up is impressive, if a little predictable, but it least it's in good nick.

On 29^th March 2026 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1098 recommendations about 1098 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Bucking Fastard left this review about The King William IV

A very imposing building,now part of the Ember Inns chain.The open plan interior has had a makeover which has left a very corporate feel.To the left is predominantly a dining area,while to the right the seating is less formal and there is also a side area with a high table,a flat screen airing Sky Sports News and gaming machines.You order food from a standard pub grub menu at the bar and it is brought to your numbered table.The muzak was respectably muted,while the outside seating area with wicker furniture is smart but only offers views of a very busy road junction.
More real ale than you might expect with six handpumps offering GK IPA (£2.49),London Pride and Brakspears Bitter as regulars with three guests drawn from 12 seasonal selections from an Ember Inns list namely Hop Back Summer Lightening,Butcombe Rare Breeds and Sambrooks Lavender Hill (£3.49) on my visit.Tasters are offered on all real ale,and on Mondays all pints at £2.49.My Lavender Hill was light on heather but did have a distinct woody tang.There is also a discounted offer on wine after 5pm on Sundays with most bottles reduced to £10.
Ember Inns have made an effort here (free newspapers appreciated),but it's still a very formulaic pub.A more interesting ale range would have resulted in a higher rating,although always good to see Summer Lightening on offer.

On 3^rd July 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3153 recommendations about 3153 pubs]

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