The Hansom Cab, Kensington, W8

I reckon that this place must have improved a bit since previous reviewers' visits. The ale selection on when I visited recently was Gloucester Docks Brewery Gloucester Gold; Redemption Trinity; Purity Pure Gold; and Signature Brew Roadie (£4.50 a pint). A fifth pump was unclipped. I was given a taster of the Roadie, which is usually a sign of a well run pub. A full main course menu was available when I was in on Tuesday lunchtime, but a blackboard on the wall advertised a couple of "lunch beer snacks" of traditional Cornish pasty and chorizo sausage roll, both at £5 a go. Said to be made by their chefs daily, I went for the Cornish pasty, which was served hot and not microwaved. Good quality for a fiver I would say. The main bar area at the front has some sofas, tall tables/tall stools, and one or two normal tables and chairs. A fairly large room at the back has more normal tables and chairs, and although this pub doesn't have a garden, there are a few tables and chairs on the pavement. I quite liked the old carved wood bar back as well. I quite enjoyed my visit here. The landlord was friendly, and seemingly engaged in delivering good quality real ale. My pint of cool and hoppy Roadie was excellent and hardly touched the sides on a scorchingly hot London day. It was very quiet during my lunchtime visit, but probably a very different place in the evenings.

This is generally a nice pub, in an upmarket area. It has pleasant decor with the same atmosphere to match. Does it appeal more to younger people - perhaps that is debatable. I have never had a bad experience when drinking here. Well recommended. Thanks....

Again no ale to speak of. Pleasant enough place but no plans to return.

Contrary to that stated on the pub's website, this place is in fact not Victorian but rather plain Georgian, being built in 1827 (1837 to 1901 is Victorian) as The Pembroke Arms and acquired its current name in 1965. Situated on Earls Court Road, it's not in the most attractive of surroundings: the locality isn't that pretty and traffic noise is a problem. Once inside though, it's a pleasant enough place with a central bar, bare boarded, roller blinds to the windows, pale grey paint, one-third height t 'n' g panelling and conventional furniture. The front room is quite cosy and there's a larger room to the rear; both have a TV which doesn't bode well. To the walls there are reproduction Victorian paintings of hansom cabs, topped with a brass picture light. The overall feeling is a bit like drinking in a wine bar - not offensive but not really pubby and the trays of condiments on the tables is a bit downmarket. Ales: Sharp's Doom Bar, Young's Bitter and Fuller's London Pride at £4.25 a pint and fine. This is an undemanding place, but I can't see myself beating a path to its front door again anytime soon.

A traditional town pub on the end of a Georgian terrace just off Kensington’s main drag. Hanging baskets at the front make it appealing in the Summer months, and there is a lively local atmosphere in one half of the inside, the public bar. The other half, the saloon bar I suppose, was dead except for one person eating a sad-looking burger from a bit of manky driftwood, and the pub dog, a nonchalant spaniel who turned his nose up at said burger. The décor is pleasant, plenty of etched glass on display and a large fireplace, all late Victorian in character so anachronous to the pub’s origins but not too harshly. There was background music, inoffensive enough, and the TV screen was off, though we were told that it usually screens live sports. The staff, dog included, were friendly enough, while the locals were tolerant and tolerable. Three ales on – Doombar, Pride and Young’s Bitter. Worth spending a quiet few hours here.

Official site of The Hansom Cab - www.thehansomcab.co.uk