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Beer of the Week (w/e 14th September 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Bell & Crown, W4
W4
W4 3PF
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Bell & Crown
One of four pubs clustered along this stretch of The Thames, it has a traditional brick built appearance along with large windows to make the most of the views, as well as outside bench seating on the pathway.
Internally it’s split over a few levels and is a bit of mix of contemporary and traditional in style. The flooring was sanded wooden boards whilst the ceilings were for the most part fresh plasterwork, with any beams having been plastered and painted over as well. The colour scheme was either white or a very pale green and there were plenty of pictures scattered around the walls, many of them old black and white photographs of the locale, as well as a few pot plants, stuffed birds and so on. In contrast there was also some sections of dark wood panelling, and in place this formed a partition between different areas and included etched glass. Dark red Chesterfield style leather bench seating was around much of the permitter, and there was an old brick fireplace or two with a wood burning stove, although at this time of year it only contained a few candles. A lower bar offered good views of the river, and was perhaps a little more elegant in style with painted wood panelling on the walls, although this looked as though it may have been more geared up for dining.
Beers on tap were London Pride, Sambrook’s Lavender Hill and Dark Star Hophead. Overall, not a bad spot and I’d happily pop in again if in the area.
On 16th September 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1993 pubs]
Old Boots left this review about The Bell & Crown
Not quite as food oriented as the nearby Steam Packet but that’s obviously its main business, the layout and furniture reflects this in the front part of the pub at least. Further back gets more pubby with banquette seating and the long counter is rather neat. It’s also dog friendly. Then at rear there’s a conservatory set up for dining but the salt n vinegar smell permeates the place anyway. Two banks of four pulls along with the usual close grouped solos found in London pubs. London Pride appears to be the banker with HSB, Hophead (coming soon) and the stronger “Dark Star” beer noted in other Fullers pubs as the choice, I had yet another pint of Pride and it was adequate verging towards good so 2.5. Nice panelling, cut glass and plain plastered walls - no grey plague here apart from in the side room called the Cobblers bar - why?
On 20th October 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3729 recommendations about 3405 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Bell & Crown
This pub is a bit of a newbie compared to some of these riverside pubs, dating from only the early 18th century as the Bell, renamed the Bell & Crown in 1787, this incarnation arriving only in 1907.
It’s as described below: multi-level, a fairly traditional interior with a good patina to the older woodwork, dark wood field panelling, duck egg paintwork, traditional furniture with oxblood studded banquettes. The bar array is less traditional, with a tubular steel gantry and modern back. Décor arrived in the form of trendy framed prints, then some taxidermy; customers were mixed, local and unobtrusive.
A Fuller’s range, with a half of Hophead costing a stiff £2.90 and fine.
This isn’t a half bad pub, but it really can’t compete with the Bull’s Head a short walk to the south-east.
On 21st May 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2277 recommendations about 2227 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Bell & Crown
This is a decent sized Fullers pub on the Thames Path, close to Fullers’ offices a short distance up the road. The bar is in the front part of the pub, with a nice servery down the right-hand wall boasting some fine woodwork features around the L-shaped counter and bar back. High tables and stools under the front windows provide basic seating options for drinkers, whilst lounge-style furniture emerge further into the room, which opens out a lot past the end of the bar. There’s a basic brick fireplace to the left, where the walls have nice panelling and a dark paint scheme and have been decorated with contemporary art and various classic board and pub game boards. A pillar towards the rear has some nice etched glass panes on it, and left of this is a door out to the riverside garden, with a modern etched glass pane in the door depicting a river scene. The space to the right leads you through to a separate dining room which has plenty more seating and a smart colour scheme, with a few seats in the rear section having good river views. The garden has a small raised decked area and a number of picnic benches along the path, although this wasn’t enough for a large post-work crowd, who also perched on the riverbank wall, which is very high above the river, so make sure you’re still steady on your feet before sitting here. With this being the Thames Path, it’s busy with walkers, joggers and cyclists, and so collisions are a very real possibility if you’re not vigilant moving around out here.
Just the three cask ales available on this visit - Fullers London Pride, Gales Seafarers and Dark Star Hophead, with the latter coming in at £5.00 a pint. The Hophead was in pretty good condition and the barmaid was very friendly in spite of a packed crowd.
This seemed like a nice Fullers pub which benefits from its prime location, but was nice enough inside to merit an extended stay regardless. The beer was in good nick, service was friendly and prompt and whilst there was nothing beyond the location to elevate this above your average Fullers pub experience, it was pleasant enough to recommend the short detour from Kew Bridge.
On 6th November 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3387 recommendations about 3387 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Bell & Crown
A Fuller's tied house,with entrances both from the Thames Path and street level,beware at high spring tides the towpath becomes impassable and the tables here unusable.There is a raised lower Cobblers Bar(dining area) which will stay dry but you can't enter from the towpath,climb the metal stairway to the main body of the pub.
The decor is tidy and refurbished to look old,faux wood panelling much used.There is a small conservatory with seating giving great Thames views.Opposite the bar is a charming spot with a wood burner and two side fitted benches with brittania tables,a great spot in the dead of winter.Towards the street entrance there is a long high bench seat running below the window.An open kitchen churns out good looking food with a Friday fish special menu and a short regular menu from a named chef with a median main £15.
I was just in for a beer ,the 4 handpumps were offering Fullers London Pride,Olivers Island (NBSS 2.5) and Dark Star Hophead.
Slightly too food orientated to feel comfortable for a session and the ale selection is lighweight.
On 4th September 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3014 recommendations about 3014 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Bell & Crown
An attractively located riverside Fullers pub, very spacious inside, food is a big thing here and I did eat and it was very good though not cheap. There are two banks of four handpumps with just the choice of three ales on my visit, Pride, Seafarers and Dark Star Sunquake. Not a bad pub but not a place I'd hang out all day either.
On 13th August 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2215 recommendations about 2181 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Bell & Crown
A very plush and well run Fullers pub, facing out along the Thames footpath. We got here early evening, after the Sunday lunch crowd had moved on. I also preferred our timing as the pub looked very well with the subdued and ambient lighting. This is a large pub, so finding a seat was no problem and there was a lot of comfortable areas to choose from. I went for the Butcombe Rare Breed, which was good.
On 7th November 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3716 recommendations about 3716 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Bell & Crown
After the disappointment of the Bulls Head, this restored my faith in the London boozer. Fair more outside seating.
Much quieter with plenty of staff on. The ESB was as good as I have had anywhere.
On 21st June 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1679 recommendations about 1656 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Bell & Crown
Attractive Fullers pub overlooking the Thames. Various seating areas in the (upper) Terrace and (lower) Cobblers bars. Fairly traditional furniture and decor. Some wooden benches on the riverside path, and further tables on a small terrace at a slightly higher level. Plenty of staff. Chiswick, Pride, ESB and Seafarers (£3.60) available from a total of 11 handpumps scattered along the bar counter. Very busy on a sunny Friday afternoon, and its easy to see why.
On 15th September 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8868 recommendations about 8868 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Bell & Crown
Have utilised the Bell and Crown on several occasions over the years for a decent pint of Pride by the river, but was forced inside on Saturday due to the inclement weather and can concur that it is equally comfortable inside. Usual Fullers Pride and ESB were on but went for the Honeydew which was a decent pint and in line with previous experiences.
Never eaten here as I tend to utilise the Bull further up the river for this.
On 13th June 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2279 recommendations about 2135 pubs]