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Detail Pages
The Crown & Sceptre, W14
W14
W14 8BA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Crown & Sceptre
Dating from the late 18th century, this place is nestled in a rather dowdy part of Holland Park, situated on the inexplicably un-gentrified Holland Road.
Claiming that it’s a ‘…stone’s throw from Notting Hill Gate’ (it isn’t), this place doubles as a hotel and gastropub, with a very contemporary interior. The bar’s to the right, mirrored, with brass tubing. The floor’s boarded, the left and rear areas are raised, separated with balustrades. Paint is pale grey to the dado, then paler grey to the walls and ceiling. Furniture is totally mixed and zoned, including cloth upholstered banquettes; décor comprises potted plants including some large potted palms, trendy framed prints to the walls and a large hanging hand painted cloth Cuban flag. Lighting is also mixed, with a selection of Victorian-style chandeliers, lamps with some hanging shades looking like Vietnamese paddy field workers’ hats, but distressed, as if subjected to a B52 raid; the most striking lighting feature, were the two distressed classical fluted columns to the front, with shades on top glowing red, looking for all the world like something from an Indiana Jones film. Customers amounted to just two elderly Irish geezers, for whom Biddy Mulligan’s round the corner was perhaps just too lively; so much for the pub’s claim to be ‘…at the centre of all the action’.
I was presented with two pumps, both with pint glasses on the top to indicate they were out of action, so a half of Neck Oil it was at £3.20 a half, a veritable bargain, served by a friendly barman.
Can this place really continue with so few customers?
On 16th February 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Crown & Sceptre
This place felt as though it was rather geared up for the tourist market more than anything else, with the main room being a mixture of hotel reception, bar and kitchen facing a strange layout of modernish furniture. There is also a restaurant area to the rear and apparently a cellar bar, although that was not open. Draught beers were Hophead and London Pride: the former proved to be undrinkable but was changed without question, and to his credit the barmen did check with his colleague that he hadn't served it to anyone else. The only pub in quite a large area north of Kensington High St, but probably worth the walk to the south to find alternatives.
On 9th August 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Crown & Sceptre
A backstreet pub which provides welcome relief from the bustle of the nearby conference centres. There is a bank of seats along the outside from which smoke can drift unimpeded into the pub. Inside there are 3 large bar/dining room areas with an open-plan central grill and kitchen. There is also a cellar bar which doubles as a function room. There is a variety of trendy furniture including some rough-hewn wooden items which try unsuccessfully to create a Bohemian atmosphere. The barmaid was pleasant enough, but one look at the behaviour and attire of the chef was enough to put us off eating. Three ales on, two from Courage and Caledonian Edinburgh Castle, not well kept and less enjoyable than they should be. I can’t see my rushing back for their beers, and I wouldn’t want to eat here.
On 26th June 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Crown & Sceptre
Seems to have been refurbished again since my last visit four years ago, with more of a gastro-pub look than I remember and an open kitchen at the far end of the compact bar. However, the slightly odd layout (with an inconvenient wall part-way along the bar, and the small seating area up a few steps) remains. There are also some outdoor tables and chairs along the frontage, and signs indicate that it now operates as a boutique hotel as well. Reasonable atmosphere, although the loud music in the early evening didn't really seem necessary. Three real ales on handpump, with Tribute, Flying Scotsman and Courage Directors (£4.20) available on this visit.
On 28th November 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Crown & Sceptre
Sorry, T.E.A. is Hogs Back, not Hopback. Obviously had Salisbury on my mind, Hopback & Downton breweries suggest that must be worth a visit.
22 February 2007
'Rugged cosmopolitan'? Glass, light weathered wood, mismatched seating & tables, eclectic mix? On my only previous visit both beers had just gone, but was impressed that barman dashed straight down to change them (as should be the case) but was in hurry so couldn't wait. I'm glad I went back yesterday; there seems to be an interest in beer that sits a little incongruously with the bar but that's good and the choice was Hopback TEA or 'Drum' bitter from Downton brewery in Wiltshire. 'Drum' (4.2%) was light, tasty & refreshing. Wine menu had some reasonable choices at £10-12 btl, sandwiches & bites £4/5, Tacos/Fajitas £6 on specials board. Harveys beer mats - so I guess they stock it on rotation. ... ps. reminded of fav joke of '06 : 'How do Mexicans keep warm?', 'They use chicken fajitas' boom boom!
On 22nd February 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]