The Grange, Ealing Common, W5

Serving residents of the rather smart, large houses in this upmarket enclave, what was the Grange Hotel dates to at least the mid-19th century, built on the site of the former Cricketers’, this incarnation rebuilt in 1871 on the south-west edge of Ealing Common in a rather striking neo-Gothic style. The interior too is neo-Gothic, with some lancet-style windows with leaded stained glass at the top; the now very smart left-hand conservatory has fine touches, with very striking cast and wrought iron ceiling beams and ties, topped with a leaded glass lantern. The pub is on split levels, an ante room home to a very fine neo-Gothic carved stone fireplace. There’s a pale boarded floor with some kilims, paintwork a predictable smoky blue or burgundy and a white matchboard ceiling. Much of the furniture is low and lounge in style, with some slightly Islamic patterns; lighting comes from downlighters and hanging clear spherical lamps. Décor amounts to framed eclectic prints and large potted palms; overall there was a slightly ‘colonial clubroom’ feel to the place. Customers were fairly mixed in age and undoubtedly local, some perhaps having just visited the fairground on the common. A slightly less predictable ale line-up than usual for a Young’s pub, with Special then Dorking’s Red India alongside Proper Job at an extortionate £3.05 a half and very good, served by a professional barmaid. This is a perfectly pleasant place to while away some time when enjoying Ealing Common – it’s vastly superior to the Greystoke – but it loses a point for the higher-than-central-London pricing.

Randomness Guide to London - Grange entry

Randomness Guide to London - Grange entry

This is a large pub with a conservatory and beer garden. There is a nice mezzanine level away from the bar, but it overlooks the open kitchen so it was very hot during my visit. The governor seemed nice enough, but I felt that this place lacked any sort of atmosphere except for the inane chatter bouncing off the wooden floors and furniture. Bombardier, Youngs Ordinary and Winter Warmer were available along with Scrumpy Jack, Guinness and standard/premium lagers. My Bombardier was good, but I felt that this isn't the most comfortable of pubs to go to just for a drink.

Official site of the Grange, includes menus - www.grangeealing.co.uk

Official site of the Grange, includes menus - www.grangeealing.co.uk