The Red Lion, Ealing Broadway, W5

I have walked past this pub loads of times but may,be because its a Fullers pub have never went in.Lovely cosy sort of pub with a big walled garden with real coal fires and blankets to keep the cold out.Good selection of Fullers beers inc latest seasonal beers from the brewery.Beer in great nick.I will be back.

A fine old Fullers house (a point which you could hardly miss given the ultra-bold lettering at the top of the facade, and above which perches the eponymous red lion). Inside, the traditional bar area uses pew-type seating to good effect and there are regular tables in the rear extension (beyond which there is also a decent patio beer garden). There are four beers from the Griffin brewery plus a guest (e.g. Ossett Pale Gold when I visited). It has a good location at the south end of Ealing Green, nearly opposite the famous studios, and is well worth the walk from the Broadway or South Ealing underground stations.

Randomness Guide to London - Red Lion entry

Randomness Guide to London - Red Lion entry

What a transformation since my last visit in the early/mid nineties. This used to be a tiny little sweat box of a pub, but a wall has been removed and the rear has been extended out to the back of the building and then a conservatory has been built as well as a large beer garden. I wouldn't have recognised the place if it wasn't for the bar area that is exactly how I remember it. I wasn't surprised to see Pride, Chiswick, ESB and Porter on as I can remember there always being a full selection of Fullers ales, but I did spot Golden Pride. Unfortunately I was unable to try it as it rocks in at 8.5% and I think that the local constabulary would have something to say about my journey home around the North Circular. Hoegarden, Staropramen and a couple of standard lagers were also available from the polite barmaid. I think that they have done an excellent job with this place and it was great to still see all of the Ealing Studios photos still up on the wall. I highly recommend this pub.

This is a Fuller's pub that had Chiswick, Pride, ESB, Red Fox and Hobgoblin on offer when I was in there on Monday lunchtime. I had the superb Red Fox, which was at the current approximate going rate of £3.05 a pint. As you enter there are three booths on the right taking up that side of the pub; a couple of settles and normal chairs on the left; leading to a back room with more normal tables and chairs. Décor on the walls amounts mainly to black and white photos – didn't get close enough to discern the subjects. On the face of it a pretty decent and straightforward little pub, and apparently thoroughly deserving its recent accolade of being chosen as the CAMRA West Middlesex branch's pub of the year. But the food is certainly upmarket. I had the ciabatta/fillet steak/rocket/parmigiano plus some chips, which weighed in at £8.95. Not exactly traditional pub grub then, but nonetheless of a very high standard and most enjoyable. The service I received was friendly and welcoming, and I reckon this is an excellent pub and certainly worth seeking out if you're in the general area.