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The Dove, Hammersmith, W6
W6
W6 9TA
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about The Dove
Cracking riverside pub retaining much charm as well as catering for the usual mass of diners and drinkers. The Guinness World Record's smallest bar (4ft 2in x 7ft 10in) comfortably held the three of us (just) before we ventured onto the verandah overlooking the Thames for our second pints. The four pumps were all on but we all plumped for the Pride, which was in sparkling form. Food is OK but nothing special and unsurprisingly for this wonderful location, is not cheap.
On 29th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Dove
The interior of this famous Fullers pub has been well reviewed by others,and I also noticed the slightly more modern stools on the lower bar,and much better seating arrangement on the verandah.I popped in one Friday evening ,and although food was popular in the upper internal seating area,the outside tables were not set up for food and post 9pm a traditional drinkers atmosphere prevailed.The pub is popular with rowers from the various clubs nearby,and regulars mix well with the many visitors.
For my money the outside terrace has one of the best river views in London ,and the small garret reached by an iron spiral staircase gives the best vantage point.Below this decking there is a sofa protected from elements if you want to loll about.
There are four handpumps with London Pride,Discovery and ESB as regulars with "Gales" Seafarer as a guest.Honey Dew on keg also available.The beer quality was high but prices were at a premium as you might expect given the location.
I found that The Dove has maintained its pubby feel,this really is a wonderful place to pass a few hours although it can be a victim of it's own success if the weather is spectacular at the weekend.
On 30th June 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Dove
Small but characterful pub very well described by John below. Yes I agree it’s focussing more on food than it used to, but the Fullers beers are still top notch (but then they don’t have to travel far), and it’s actually worth investing in a small dish to sit on the veranda and enjoy the views.
Still one of my favourites on this part of the Thames path and always a good visit when walking by.
On 9th April 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Dove
Visited in June 2010
The Dove is an 18th Century riverside inn on the Middlesex side of the river, easily accessible from Hammersmith Bridge along the river front walk. The well known anthem - Rule Britannia - was allegedly composed here and the pub has had many famous literary visitors over the years, such as Ernest Hemingway, A P Herbert etc. Nowadays, it's a popular tourist destination with that rather inevitable transient feel of pubs of this ilk.
Situated in a narrow alleyway, an old heavy duty door leads into the main bar area which has low ceilings, dark old beams and wood panelling. Some of the furniture here looks newish and I'm aware that there was a fire some time last year which did some damage. Over the fireplace here is a framed panel of famous customers who have dropped in in more recent times, including actors and sporting heroes ( eg - Julie Andrews, Godfrey Evans ). Also here is a visitors book with testimonials ( and a few crass idiotic comments ) from people from all over the world.
On the right of this main bar is a very small snug bar with room, realistically, for no more than half a dozen drinkers. This bar holds the Guinness World Record for being the smallest bar area and the framed certificate to this effect is proudly displayed. Note also the small brass plaque indicating the height that the waters reached in the floods of January 1928. The pub is listed in CAMRA's book of London Heritage pubs and these two front rooms are the older parts of the pub.
The main bar leads into a newer food orientated rear room which is decorated with prints and photographs of the pub and the local area in days of old. Passing through this rear room, we reach a small verandah with fine views of the River Thames. This verandah is popular in fine weather and also, especially on Boat Race day in March.
On my recent Sunday lunchtime visit, it was noticeable how much more food orientated the pub as a whole seems to have become. Paper menus were on all the tables in the main bar and the tables on the verandah were laid out for diners. As you might expect, food is not cheap - eg Sunday roasts - £ 13.95p, Cod fillet with chips - £ 11.50p. Unusually, a blackboard outside the pub advertises a take out menu at weekends only which includes New York deli hot dog and Chicago Red hot dog at £ 5 and £ 6 respectively.
Perhaps surprisingly, for a small pub like this where space is at a premium, dogs are positively encouraged and water bowls and dog biscuits are readily visible and available.
On the beer front, it's a Fullers pub and the usual beers are served from a bank of handpumps, oddly positioned in the angle of the L shaped bar servery. The London Pride - curiously described on a chalkboard by the front door as a "top selling premium amber ale" - was in good form at £ 3.25p. The pub is listed in CAMRA's 2010 Good Beer Guide.
This is one of London's most well known pubs and you really should try and get here when you get the chance.
On 18th October 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Keith Oswin left this review about The Dove
Lovely old pub with bucketloads of history. Cosy in the winter but the small terrace makes it a bit of a scrum in the summer if you want to sit outside. Good beer and the food is excellent too, even if the chef doesn't always check to make sure he's provided each dish exactly as described on the menu!
On 6th September 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 18 recommendations about 18 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Dove
Lovely old riverside pub that seems to ooze history. Low ceilings, wooden beams etc, you enter to a small room with the bar to the right. Further right is a tiny snug and 2/3 people and this is full. From the bar area up a few steps, minding ones head, to a rear drinking area then a small conservatory with a rather sad looking vine growing over the roof, although it is January. Beyond is the terrace with good river views and with another area accessed via a cast iron staircase.
The bar area has a few photographs of the historical locale plus some rowing 8's.
Well kept Fullers, brim full pints, Pride, ESB, Chiswick and Discovery.
A worthy stop in the area or on a riverside stroll.
On 11th January 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Dove
Very old and fairly small Thameside pub, The bar which must be one of the smallest in the London area,serves the full range of Fuller's beers.A small flight of stairs leads to a back drinking/dining area and then to an outside terrace overlooking the Thames River.Very pleasant on a summers day.
On 4th June 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Dove
Over the past 5 years I've spent quite a few Friday afternoons in the Dove and I have always left in a better mood than I was when I walked in. I think that the staff have improved since my first ever visit and the drink is still of a good standard.
As afternoon turns into evening it can get a little hair raising negotiating all of the stairs to the back off the pub and avoiding the bustling waitresses with plates of food, but it keeps you on your toes. This is definitely the best pub that I have been into on the North bank of the Thames between Hammersmith and Kew Bridge.
On 17th April 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Dove
Unchanged since my last visit a year or so ago. It oozes history from every nook and cranny of its dark wooden interior. It has what is claimed to be the smallest bar anywhere, on the right as you go in the pub – but I have never been in it as there have always been a couple of drinkers already in there, and three would definitely be a crowd! Excellent views of the river from the terrace, and superb Fullers ales make this a “must visit” pub on any visit to the area. Nonetheless, for some reason on which I cannot put my finger, I find this pub a bit pretentious. The food's not cheap, but it does not pretend to be a backstreet boozer – so you “pays yer money and takes yer choice”! But on the whole I really do like this pub, and would recommend it.
On 5th April 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]