The William Morris (Lloyds No 1), Hammersmith, W6

Randomness Guide to London - William Morris entry

Randomness Guide to London - William Morris entry

When I worked in Hammersmith in the late 90's all of our work leaving dos were in here as it was cheap. Not a lot has changed in all these years except that the staff seem to be a lot better at their jobs. This place used to be the pits, but I think that it is now one of the better spoons pubs that I have been in.

Named after the 19th Century writer and artist who set up a printing business nearby, this is one of the most depressing, dark, gloomy and claustrophobic places I have ever associated with the Wetherspoons chain. The rambling interior has all the appeal of a run down amusement arcade and totally lacks any character. The service was pretty awful; I seemed to wait an eternity without so much as an acknowledgement before being served and it wasn't exactly heaving at the bar. The only salvation to be found here is the beers – Pride and Abbott are commonplace but the Damson Porter I (eventually) had was excellent and there the rather potent Old Rosie is available for the cider drinkers. If the gloomy interior is too much, there are some seats outside in the equally unattractive modern square but should you choose to emerge into the daylight after half an hour inside, you will get a bit of a pit pony effect. Not a place that carries any great recommendation.