The Bulls Head, Chiswick, W4

A clearly old riverside pub, stated to be at least 350 years on a board inside. The inside is an absolute warren of little rooms, nooks and crannies and so forth, with the floor levels changing as you move around. The original pub was enlarged by the incorporation of an adjoining cottage. Very low beamed ceilings, half panelled walls, old pictures of the area, river and also livestock, a grandfather clock, plates mounted on walls and beams. A couple of larger beams near the bar have hops wound around them. This is a Chef and Brewer pub, so you get the big menus on tables and the proliferation of chalkboard menus, which for me takes a little gloss of the historical feel. Beers were Youngs London Gold, Youngs Ordinary, GK Suffolk Swift, Bombardier and Thwaites Nutty Black. I was pleased to see my initially slightly short pint was topped up by the barman without the need for a prompt. Being right on the river's edge flooding can be a problem here, and in one of the side rooms a board displays the dates and times of expected particularly high tides. There is an historical claim that Oliver Cromwell frequented The Bull's Head and had to flee from Royalist troops via a secret tunnel under the river to an island now known as Oliver's Island, however this is unsubstantiated especially as no such tunnel has ever been found. A good game to play here is "Hunt the Gent's Toilets", as I must have done two full circuits of the pub looking for them, before another drinker directed me. Unsigned, they are down a short flight of stairs opposite the bar at the river end.

In my view the best of the pubs along the Strand on the Green. Always some interesting guest ales on as well as the usual regulars. Great setting by the river of course, and an interior full of real character. Definitely worth seeking out.

I popped in here last Friday afternoon. It was totally empty except for a pleasant member of staff who poured me a pint of very nice lager and phoned me a cab so I could go somewhere else. It's not really worth me walking past the Bell and Crown to visit, so I doubt I'll go back.