The Cross Keys, W6

Seemingly always a Fuller Smith Turner pub, this is a late Georgian backstreet boozer, in the rather lovely Georgian enclave of ‘posh’ Hammersmith; it’s a far cry from King Street to the north, thank God. The interior is a rather long J-shape, with the bar in the ‘heel’. The floor is bare, the interior being quite traditional, with much panelling and wooden bar array, possibly post-war, but which one I know not, all of which is visible on the website’s gallery. Items of note are the plethora of sports trophies and a couple of boxing stoats, stuffed in the ring and two Briton automatic door closers from the 1930s, which on closer inspection were the ‘B-type’, which confirmed my suspicions. Furniture is traditional, but the curved studded banquette below the partially etched picture window, was really rather tatty. Customers were a mix of more traditional locals, single men, younger types and affluent locals, though few in number given I was in on a Saturday evening. Despite being a Fuller’s pub, there were only two beers on offer, one being Pride, so I went for the Hophead at a very reasonable £4.60 and very nice it was too, served by a friendly barmaid. This is a very pleasant pub, but it could do with a few quid spent on it and a wider and superior choice of ales would get the score up.

Official site of The Cross Keys - www.crosskeyshammersmith.co.uk

Official site of The Cross Keys - www.crosskeyshammersmith.co.uk

Pleasant enough small back-street Fullers pub but offering nothing special. Only two ales but the Pride was in excellent form (well, let's face it - it didn't have to travel far). Overall I rate it only slightly above average.