Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Duke's Head, Putney, SW15
SW15
SW15 1JN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Duke's Head
A large and magnificent hotel, with large and magnificent views of the river. With many apparent entrances, I was not sure which way to get to the bar, and when eventually arriving was told by the barman to "sit anywhere", though all tables were set for dinner. I tried not to get my half pint of Youngs Original mixed up with all the wine glasses...
The room is light and airy, with cut glass screens splitting it up into smaller portions, though it was still possible to partake vicariously in what seemed to be a job interview going on at one table on the other side of the room. This is a historic pub interior on Camra's national database, and worth a visit for that, but the Youngs Ordinary lived down to its name, being just as awful here as elsewhere in Putney, and at just the same price too.
Date of visit: 3rd November 2021
On 24th March 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Duke's Head
Dating from 1894, this place features on CAMRA’s list of pubs with historic interiors, this being of National Importance.
I was a bit of a regular in here in the late ‘80s when a friend lived nearby. Overlooking the Thames, I remember watching the Boat Race here in 1988, which was probably about the last time I visited. The fine interior is best appreciated on the pub’s and CAMRA’s websites, but it’s really rather chintzy compared to my last visit, the front room – where you’d most like to drink – now a rather froufrou dining room. There’s a downstairs bar and upstairs function room, which was well attended.
Ales are from the Young’s stable, all on, with Proper Job the favoured option at a steep £2.80 a half and good, served by a friendly barman.
This is still a fine, richly decorated boozer, though it was better in years past, but still remains a must visit if in Putney, especially when paired with the Bricklayers over the road.
On 11th March 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Duke's Head
Substantial Thames-side pub, with a noteworthy interior having plenty of interesting features (especially the engraved glass windows and interior glazed panels referencing the former Billiards area, Club Room, etc.). Splendid front room - now the restaurant - and the upstairs 'Wolsey Room', both overlooking the Thames. The main seating area has been opened up at some stage to form an island bar, but one of the dividing screens still remains. As a Young's house, I found Ordinary and Special plus Doom Bar and Wimbledon Windmill spring ale as guests available the two banks of four handpumps on this visit. There is also the Rowing Club bar and patio downstairs (which usually dispenses into plastic glasses for those outside by the river). With its heritage interest complemented by efficient bar staff and well-kept beer, this one is well worth seeking out.
On 6th May 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Duke's Head
This was much more a pub than I was expecting, I was expecting it to be more of a restaurant and although the rear,river end of the pub is set out as such two thirds remain as a pub and I found it to be pleasant enough with enough features as mentioned by Mr Fastard below to be of interest.Its a Youngs pub so the beers are predictable , but I had a decent pint enough of Hummingbird. I didn't dislike this pub and would happily call in again.
On 22nd April 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Duke's Head
A substantial Victorian riverside pub,operated by Youngs and so tied to Charles Wells ales.The island bar serves different sections and there are many original features such as wood partitions with etched glass and decent sized mirrors,although the decor is modern and there is a flatscreen and pine coloured furniture in the front bar.Towards the rear there is a restaurant overlooking the Thames,while upstairs past the loos there is The Wolsey Room which can be hired for private functions.The pub was rammed with football fans before a match at Craven Cottage and this caused chaos behind the bar,but at quieter times the interior could be very pleasant.There are four handpumps ,with CW Bombardier,Youngs Bitter and London Gold (quite decent) on my trip while there are also some craft keg options such as Dogfish IPA and Meantime Lager.Better than I thought it was going to be after spotting the Youngs insignia,they haven't completely ruined this one.
On 12th May 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Duke's Head
Interesting interior to this pub but lacking in atmosphere on my visit.Great pub though to watch the river on a nice day.Youngs regular beers on.
On 3rd April 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Duke's Head
This is a large pub with a central island bar facing down to the river at the rear. Wood flooring, there is a mixture of seating styles including plenty of the regular type, the pub has a feel of distinct separate areas despite having been opened out, mainly due to the retention of a number of attractive dark wood and etched glass screens. The bar itself has some good detail too. Decor includes a number of river scenes and more unusually a couple of bird cages but without live occupants. The rear room is set as a formal restaurant with good river views, the chalkboard specials were not the usual pub staples, "Scallops with chorizo and pea shoots", "Wild seabass on hot salad with gnocchi" and "Venison steak with pink peppercorn sauce" being examples.
Downstairs is "The Rowing Club", a separate bar and music venue, there was an open mic night in full flow on Tuesday evening. Upstairs is "The Wolsey Room" but I didn't take a look up there.
It's a Youngs pub, so the usual Ordinary,Special and new to me Sundown were on but at the moment they are running a bit of a festival so we had guests Otter Bitter, Dark Star Kiwi and Purity Gold, which made a nice change.
Not a bad spot at all for a couple of pints and I expect that the outdoor seating facing the river is at a premium on a warm sunny day.
On 2nd November 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Duke's Head
This is a Young’s house with the usual offerings, plus the now more frequently seen Sambrook Wandle. The Young’s Bitter was as good as it usually is, and at the going rate price of £3.10 a pint. It’s on the CAMRA Heritage Inventory because of the remaining Victorian features inside, primarily the Victorian trademark etched and cut glass. There’s now a central island bar surrounded by a large drinking area that at one time would have been sub-divided into saloon, public and snug bars, and possibly a jug and bottle counter. I was told by the barman that many years ago there was a small “tuck shop” type facility in one of the corners selling tobacco and the like – but I suspect that it might been part of the jug and bottle service. I was also told that there used to be a skittle alley in the cellar which is still present under the flooring there. The pub is now bare boarded, with some ghastly high settles, high tables and high stools, and a number of normal tables and chairs. There’s also a tiled splash area around the bar counter. The pub looks to have been extended at some point towards the river, creating an area that is now an attractive restaurant area looking out over the river, with all tables set for diners.
Most main courses are around the £10 - £12 mark, with the rib-eye steak weighing in at £18.75. Bar snacks include sandwiches at around the £5 - £6 mark. I had a “Marton Meadow cheddar cheese with Duke’s Head chutney” which came on standard sliced white, with a few leaves. I’ve never heard of Marton Meadow, but the cheese was rubbery and had less flavour than Tesco’s own. Maybe the main courses are better value, and no doubt I’ll find out one of these days. They were advertising a “meal deal” – two main meals from selected “starred” items on the menu, plus a bottle of wine, for £20. I don’t think that it’s the sort of pub that I would rush back to just for a pint, but maybe to give the restaurant area a try.
On 30th July 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris 87 left this review about Duke's Head
I thought this place was decent, although I do share some of derekwinchester's gripes about the tall tables and chairs and the re-upholstered sofas, which, as well as not being terribly comfortable, sit completely ill at ease with the splendid Victorian interior of dark wood and etched glass, hinting at something interesting in years gone by. Quite busy with football fans before a Fulham match, I had pints of Winter Warmer and Youngs Bitter that were in solid nick. Not the sort of place I imagine having many 'regulars' though, which is a shame and something of a growing trend in the Youngs pubs I visit.
On 3rd January 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 179 recommendations about 179 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Dukes Head
I found the staff here to be very friendly and they both said hello, even the girl that wasn't serving. Youngs Ordinary and Special were available alongside Bombardier, Tribute, Standard and premium lagers. The island bar is huge and makes the big pub seem a lot smaller. The rear of the pub with the windows facing the river is a dining area and there are only two benches outside facing the river.
As I mentioned, it was quite during my visit, but I found the pub to be very pleasant.
On 13th November 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]