The Sanctuary House Hotel, SW1

Fullers Ale & Pie house a stones throw from St James tube. Knocked-through J-shaped interior, traditionally decorated inside with plenty of wood (oak style – real or fake?), ceiling cornices, cut glass and mirrors. Of particular note are the nice wooden bar and back fittings, as well as the monk mural on the far wall. Eight pumps with seven clipped, all Fullers bar an oddly soapy-tasting Adnams Ghost Ship (I wondered whether it was the actual advertised liquid…). The two I really wanted, Red Fox and Firecracker were both unavailable, fairly poor form for late Tuesday afternoon in central London. Also had to hand around at the bar waiting for service (pubs do expect customers?). High-end London prices, £2.20 a half. I left thinking that I’d much rather be fleeced by Fullers in one of their opulent bank conversions instead, at least you’re paying for the high grandeur in those.

A decent interior as you would expect from Fullers, with large brass ceiling lamps and oak panelling. A busy pub on our Thursday Eve jaunt, all the usual Fullers range, with inflated prices.

This decent sized pub, just a short walk from St James’s Park tube station, is one of Fuller’s Pie and Ale houses, but unlike many other pubs branded this way, it doesn’t appear to be a former bank, having previously been a railway gazette and book publishers among other things. The bar area has a nice tile floor whilst the rest of what is essentially a single, opened out room, has bare floorboards. There are some padded banquettes under some relatively modern etched Fullers windows and a mix of standard and high stool seating elsewhere. The room is broken up with a few short partitioning screens and square pillars which all have patterned glass panels inserted. There are some large chandeliers and quite an imposing, if seemingly modern, bar back, but the place doesn’t quite capture the grandeur of this chain’s more high profile pubs. At the rear of the room there is a raised carpeted space which had a few diners in it during my stay. Old photos cover many of the walls and there is some sort of mural on the rear wall, whilst a TV screen was on near the bar showing Spanish football to the Spanish bar staff. The pub has 34 en suite rooms available upstairs and advertises the fact throughout the pub. The choice at the bar was a little disappointing, with Fuller’s London Pride, ESB, Chiswick and Discovery the four ales available – a fairly mainstream selection for what I assumed would be one of their flagship pubs. The Pride was okay and priced in accordance with the pubs location at £3.80. A typical Fullers Ale and Pie House menu was available with prices no more expensive than usual. I didn’t really warm to this place, maybe because it was very quiet when I visited, maybe because the beer selection was underwhelming or maybe because I expected a grander interior. Having said that, it’s still a decent place to relax over a pint and I wouldn’t rule out a return visit when circumstance allows it.

This is a Fullers Ale and Pie house that also has rooms available. A single room with the bar along one side, wooden flooring but with some chequered tiling arond the bar and a carpeted section up a couple of steps at the back. Attractive cornices and ceiling roses, lots of prints and mirrors and there is a monk themed mural on the rear wall. Seems to tie in with the pub name and The Old Monken Halt isn't too far, perhaps there is local historical significance. Large clear glass windows let in light from the street corner position. Naturally Fullers beers, Chiswick, Pride, Discovery, Red Fox and ESB were on, £4.00 for the ESB, I'm slowly getting used to it. Opens at 7am for breakfast, not sure if you can get a beer then should one need a "sharpener"! An ok spot for the West End I thought.

Plenty of tables and standing space here, although smokers are going to struggle a bit as there's no obvious outside area (short of crowding the doorway - which, inevitably, does tend to happen). Service is efficient and friendly but, oh, the prices! I thought I ought to give the new seasonal Wild River a go - at £4.05, I won't be doing that again here. The remaining 7 pumps were devoted to other Fuller's products, although no less than 3 were badged for Pride. So, while handy for work, roomy inside, and an all round good place to go for a drink, my wallet and I will be hesitating slightly before returning.

JAQPTIO hits the nail on the head when he says this pub offers sanctuary from other nearby establishments which are better known but much less enjoyable. The building itself has an interesting history, with tales of espionage and intrigue in abundance. The smart, light decor makes it a pleasant and quie calm place to enjoy the beers - 8 of them on offer, all Fullers. I had pints each of Seafarers and Discovery, both superbly kept and served at the optimum temperature - A1 condition all round. I had a long chat with another customer - an American brewery owner who was also impressed with both the beer quality and the pub itself. Highly recommended for a crawl, and a great place for a lunchtime pint away from the noise and smell of London.

A busy and very pleasant Fullers house where Jack Frost (£3.30) was in thoroughly decent condition and we took a seat ensconced in one corner of the boozer. This is definitely one of Fuller's better efforts in Zone 1, or certainly that I have visited; I would return.

Randomness Guide to London - Sanctuary House Hotel entry

Randomness Guide to London - Sanctuary House Hotel entry