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Detail Pages
The Beaconsfield, W14
W14
W14 0HA
Pub Type
Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Beaconsfield
The first pub dates from 1881, named after Benjamin Disraeli, ennobled Lord Beaconsfield, then rebuilt just 19 years later. Olympia isn’t the best of areas and this isn’t the best part of Olympia, the immediate site dominated by the early Edwardian postal sorting office and redevelopment of the eponymous exhibition centre.
I don’t know how I missed this place when I toured the area in early 2022, but it’s unchanged since David’s review from 48 hours ago. Very spartan, the floor’s painted pale grey, walls are egg yolk yellow to the dado then white, with the word ‘Cheers’ written in large letters in a multitude of languages, including Hebrew. There’s little in the way of décor aside from a few books, then a games machine and two TVs, one showing the news in silence, another showing the POV of a motorcyclist riding through Japan. There are a couple of Australian flags, perhaps as a welcome to Australian backpackers (no doubt improved since Steve's 1990s' visit) as the Earl’s Court/Olympia area has been known as Kangaroo Valley since at least the ‘70s. A decent soundtrack played, furniture is modern with tubular steel and the few customers seemed either to be students or tourists at the time of my Friday 9.00pm visit.
The drinks’ selection is of course unchanged, a half of Neck Oil at just £3.05, served by a friendly non-Antipodean barman.
In an area devoid of good pubs, this place doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a sheep in sheep’s clothing.
On 1st June 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
David Walton left this review about The Beaconsfield
Pleasant and basic pub by Olympia. as noted below an L shaped single room venue with a mixture of low and higher tables with comfortable chairs with nice leather padding (felt good to me anyway). There was a large TV on one wall showing BBC news on my visit. The Aussie bar manager was very pleasant and I really enjoyed my quick stay here almost solely on having a good chat with him standing at the bar.
There is now no cask beer here. In truth I didn’t expect it so wasn’t disappointed! The keg options were Moretti, Madri, Blue Moon, Staropramen, Guinness, Coors, Pravha, Neck Oil and a couple of the Rekorling ciders. Not a stellar line up but my chat revealed it is a range that is popular here.
I actually liked this pub (beer range aside). It is authentic and knows what it is and doesn’t try to be something else. I mulled over a 6 based on the experience but for me the beer range sets a ceiling.
On 30th May 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 631 recommendations about 631 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Beaconsfield
Irregular, generally 'L'-shaped bar with the seating area beside the large windows raised by a single step. Mixture of furniture types and plain-ish decor, but subject to something of a refurbishment since my last visit about three years ago following its rebranding as a Taylor Walker house. Now has a small rear dining area at one end, and some of the other tables were optimistically laid for dining. Pride, Deuchar's IPA, Hook Norton Lion (£3.79) and a cider from the four handpumps. OK if you happen to be escaping from an exhibition or just waiting for a train from the nearby Kensington Olympia station.
On 12th April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
J B left this review about The Beaconsfield
This pub has changed massively in the past few months.
It has had a small refurb and looks all the better for it. They have introduced Cask Ales and Craft Beers. There is also now the option for more premium spirits and Sunday Roasts which makes a refreshing change for this area! Popped in a few weeks ago and they had some great live music on the Thursday evening and a Back to School Quiz on the Monday.
I would recommend this pub to anyone visiting the area. Would be a great venue if you are attending a show at Olympia and want to host a post show party or get together.
On 4th June 2014
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Beaconsfield
After my visit on Friday afternoon a couple of weeks ago I thought that the Beaconsfield was much improved from when I last visited back in the nineties. If memory serves me correctly this place used to be called the Frigate and Firkin and it was a bit of a dive. It also used to attract some young antipodeans with basic hygiene problems and some disgusting habits. Thankfully that is all in the past.
Daily from noon access can be gained to the open plan L shaped bar area that has a mixture of standard furniture and high tables. There is a plasma screen that was switched off and I saw no signs of Sky Sports. There was some low background music playing, but it was hardly audible over the conversation of the twenty or so other customers.
The bar is stocked with standard draught and the four hand pumps were drawing Pedigree and Sambrook’s Wandle alongside Adnams Ghost Ship and Fat Sprat. Food is available from midday until 15:00 and 17:00 until 21:00 during the week and from midday until 18:00 at the weekends. The mains are standard pub fare priced from £8 for sausage and mash to £15 for steak.
There is a 10% discount for CAMRA card holders.
I found the service to be spot on, but I didn’t think that the layout led to the most comfortable of environments. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit here again, but there are worse pubs in the area.
On 26th August 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Beaconsfield
Bombardier and Deuchars IPA were available here. The Deuchars was a little bit more than £3 a pint as I recall and even though the quality wasn’t good, it was drinkable. I didn’t see a menu, but food was clearly available on the Saturday afternoon I was in as one punter was getting stuck into a massive beefburger. A very large pull down screen had the racing projected onto it, and all the windows on that side of the pub had their blinds lowered, making it very gloomy indeed. As you would expect, the racing obviouslyy dominated this one room pub. Most of the seating was tall tables and tall stools, with a couple of sofas on the left, and a handful of normal tables and chairs at the back.
Perhaps I didn’t see this pub at its best, but I found it a fairly uncomfortable place. If you were interested in watching the racing on a giant screen in gloomy and dim surroundings, then this pub would suit you. Otherwise I didn’t think it had much going for it. I don’t expect to return.
On 17th October 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]