Crown & Sceptre, Shepherds Bush, W12

This pub dates from 1866, but I suspect that the interior and Chazzer’s green banded windows are the product of a 1930s’ refit. It’s very much a backstreet pub, which you’ll have no chance of finding unless you are a local, lost or both. The floor’s bare boarded with walls three-quarter clad with bare wood panelling. The bar structure is attractive carved wood, for once without silly shiny white tiles; furniture is conventional. Paintwork where applied is off-white. There are knickknacks and framed prints of the area from yesteryear; of note are two photos of George Cole, one with him standing next to Dennis Waterman; much of Minder – possibly even most of it – was filmed in and around Hammersmith, so I suspect that the pub may have featured in one or more episodes; there’s no real reason why any others would. In all, it’s a very pleasant interior, with conventional furniture, local mixed customers, many of whom were eating the apparently Thai food, which I couldn’t smell, for once. A Fuller’s limited ale range that included something I think was called ‘Atlantic’ at £2.50 a half, which for a Fuller’s beer was really rather nice; I think it may have been a collaboration, which would explain why. This is really a rather nice pub by any standards, certainly for a place in Hammersmith & Fulham, where for once you wouldn’t run out screaming after half a pint, where you’d be proud to take ‘er indoors – it could be so good for you!

Official site of Crown & Sceptre - www.crownandsceptreshepherdsbush.co.uk

Official site of Crown & Sceptre - www.crownandsceptreshepherdsbush.co.uk

This is a pleasant Fuller’s pub, well tucked away in the backstreets about 5-10 minutes walking distance from Goldhawk Road or Shepherd’s Bush Market stations. The interior has a reasonably sized single room broken up by a number of narrow support pillars, with wooden flooring and half panelled walls. Nice banquettes line the front wall and there are a few high tables dotted around, but most of the seating is of the standard table and chair variety, each table having a lit candle on it when I arrived on an evening visit. There are some nice touches including the leaded windows and some grand chandeliers which help to create a warm and comfortable feel. Two TV screens were showing Champions League football with the commentary on quite loud, which put off at least two female customers who came in, heard the football and turned round and went straight back out again. The room is decorated with pictures of QPR football club, an artwork by local photographer Gideon Hart depicting the famous greyhound Rapid Ranger and some photos of the TV series Minder, which I believe was filmed locally. There are five hand pumps, but with London Pride triple clipped, there was only space for ESB and Chiswick alongside it. I fancied a pint of Pride and thought they kept it very well. The room extends slightly to the rear where there is the unusual sight of an open kitchen which seemed to be serving up Thai dishes of the most wonderfully aromatic variety. Finding a decent pub in the Shepherd’s Bush area can be a bit of a nightmare, but this place was pretty good and worth a bit of a trek from the station. They clearly know how to keep their beer, so a better selection of Fuller’s ales would go a long way to making this more of a draw.

I used to use this pub regularly over 20 years ago when I lived locally, however on my return visit on Saturday I found myself unable to recognise it. Formerly cosy separate rooms, it is now one long space with the bar on the back wall and further along an open plan Thai kitchen and servery. I did eventually warm to the place, seating is mostly of the traditional type although there are scatter cushions on the perimeter banquettes, some tables are copper topped. There is plenty of wood panelling and a series of elegant chandeliers. Wooden floors with occasional large rugs, attractive carved bar back, interest is provided by plenty of QPR paraphernalia, team photos, etc, a large painting of the greyhound, Rapid Ranger, one of only four dogs to win the Greyhound Derby twice, plus framed stills of Steptoe and Son and Minder, both of which were set in the general area. Two TVs were on, showing the England v Spain game on one and some Rugby on the other. Fullers beers on the five pumps, Pride x3, Chiswick and ESB. My ESB was served in the proper stemmed glass and was first rate just how it used to be, and at £3.45 pretty good value for a premium Fullers Ale. The pub was clearly once a Charringtons house as the distinctive green and amber bands remain on the leaded windows. A pleasant spot still, retaining some character despite the alterations, and the Thai food smelled wonderful, I'll have to try it if I return some time.

This rather secluded, typical Victorian corner pub has been converted into a sort of gastropub although it is hard to see exactly what sort of customer they are aiming for. Originally 2 or 3 rooms but now knocked into one large open plan bar interrupted by the occasional roof support. Overall, the interior is a bit drab and dull with dated décor and lighting. Some of the padded seats have also seen better days. They have table football but I did not notice any fruit machines or quiz machines. There is a wide screen TV tucked away in a cubby hole and unobtrusive piped music. A fairly standard drink range although they did have the Japanese beer Kirin Ichiban. The only Real Ale I noted was London Pride though it was a good pint and poured with great care by the attentive barmaid. There was a decent wine list and the menu included such delights as Ostrich Steaks, Red Snapper and Wild Boar with main courses priced from £9 - £12. The candles on the tables are always a nice touch but the photocopied menus left lying around on cheap clipboards make the place look a bit down-market. I can't help thinking that if I wanted to have a decent meal out I would want to eat in somewhere a bit smarter than this. Being so tucked away means there will be very little passing trade and the pub is not really close enough to any of the local attractions (QPR, Empire etc) to be of much use to anyone other than the locals.