The Brompton Cross, SW3

Traditional local owned by the South Kensington Estate. The vintage House of Toby plaque outside suggests it was a Charrington's pub rather than Truman's. it is as said below long and thin inside with a central bar opening with open areas at each end with real fire but with unfortunately nowhere much to sit apart from near the bar, half a dozen people in there and you've had it. They still persist with their diners only setup. Sambrook's Wandle and Pride on the pumps, and no question about the quality, but I wouldn't recommend this pub for more than a quick one due the seating policy.

This is a rather strangely shaped pub. It’s a sort of reverse TARDIS, with a long frontage giving the impression of a large pub, but actually with no depth to it. It’s wedge shaped actually. The frontage is nevertheless quite attractive, with some old Truman signage still in place. Anyway, inside there are a handful of tables with some banquette seating coupled with small stools, but during my visit all had “for diners only” signs on them. Stools at the bar or at high tables at the front of the pub were available to be used by drinkers. They had two ales on during my visit – London Pride and Black Sheep. I went for the latter, which at £3.40 a pint is at the top end of the price scale, even for this well-heeled area of the capital. There seemed to be a daily menu, with main courses around the £8 - £10 mark. Ciabbatta sarnies were around a fiver. I spotted a games machine, but no one armed bandit. There was some pop music playing – some 60s Motown classics, which is better than what one usually hears, and there was a fire adding some cheer to the place. There were some newspapers in one rack, and some tourist type leaflets in another – it’s that sort of area. While I was in there the friendly and helpful barman got asked by tourists about the availability of local parking, and the whereabouts of the Saatchi Gallery. It’s a nice enough little pub – but the minus points for me are the fact that tables are denied to those who only want a drink (at least at some times), and the ale prices are top of the range. I wouldn’t mind dropping in again, but can’t see any reason to make a special effort to do so.

This is a very small and narrow pub that has a plasma screen and real fire at either end of the bar. It is popular with diners and the food smelt good, but it is still a proper pub in an area that seems to have lost most of them. Black Sheep and Pride were the ale options along with a standard draught selection and my Guinness was well served by a very friendly barman. I wouldn’t go out of my way to drink here again, but if I lived or worked locally I would pop in for a mid week pint every now and again.