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The Dickens Tavern, Paddington, W2

25 London Street
W2
W2 1HH

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Pub Type

Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Moby Duck left this review about The Dickens Tavern

As mentioned, a long narrow interior with multiple handpumps divided between the two bar areas, unfortunately only the usual GK suspects were available, IPA, Abbott and London Glory. It's not a pub I'd normally entertain but it served the purpose on that evening in being close to the station and was showing a football match I wanted to catch, however I don't envisage a return.

On 17th March 2024 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1868 recommendations about 1841 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about The Dickens Tavern

A very long narrow pub, which stretches back a surprising way. The dark paintwork makes the front a bit gloomy, with an interesting barrel vaulted ceiling: one wall has sundry Dickensian prints, while the other has a large mural of steam locomotives - trying not to sound too sad but clearly totally unrelated to Paddington, epecially the American one!. The rear room benefits from more light and windows, if not much of a view. The GK beers were IPA, Abbot, London Glory and the seasonal Progress, which was quite nice.

On 20th July 2022 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Dickens Tavern

The Dickens Tavern is a very long and thin Greene King run pub with steps up to the entrance. There are tables either side of the entrance and the bar runs up the left wall. This bar is split mid-way by a supporting column; each side of the bar supports six handpumps. These were badged with the full range of Greene King ales, but Progress was the only one available. At the end of the bar is some seating that faces a large television that was showing Wimbledon tennis. Cricket was also being shown on smaller televisions dotted throughout the pub. Beyond there are steps down to a rear seating area that also houses a pool table and a rear entrance onto London Mews which runs adjacent to the pub. The service was polite and this is certainly one of the longest and thinnest pubs I’ve been in, but I saw nothing that would have me rushing back.

On 3rd July 2022 - rating: 5
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Dickens Tavern

Dating from at least the late 19th century, this was originally the Norfolk Square Hotel and judging by the mews to the left, this was probably built as a coaching inn. Quite what association if any Dickens had to do with either the area or pub I don’t know; perhaps this name was designed to draw in the tourists?
I doubt a great deal has changed since the previous reviews, though apparently it’s no longer the longest pub in London, but I suspect that it probably is in relation to its width; it’s like drinking in an old railway carriage. The two bars are to the left, one with what is probably a modern, fake Victorian bar back with some etched glass. Otherwise, this is a pretty predictable GK pub, which I can’t be bothered to describe; TVs and games machines were in abundance, along with an ugly Clear Channel illuminated advertising board. The walk downstairs to the lavs is unappealing and it’s here that there’s a door, looking like a fire escape, which apparently leads to an independently run hotel; lucky customers. Speaking of which, they were pretty much all blokes, as per the other local pubs, most glued to the Liverpool v. Arsenal match, commentary competing with banal music emanating from some popstrel.
The usual Greene King ales were on offer and as I’d just suffered a half of Abbot up the road, I plumped for a Neck Oil at £3.40 a half.
This isn’t a great pub, but then nothing in the immediate vicinity of Paddington is.

On 15th January 2022 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Quinno _ left this review about The Dickens Tavern

Taylor Walker branded GK outlet. A pretty basic knocked-through interior with two rooms still just about discernible with a further seating area a couple of steps beyond and down. The front bar has wallpapered portraits of long-forgotten Georgians, laminate flooring and maroon walls. Four ales on; GK IPA, GK London Glory, Black Sheep and Twickenham Spring. I tried a half of the latter which was ostensibly fine but had a GK twang to it and clocked-in at over 4 quid when rounded-up from a half. Staff were noticeably poor. Paddington doesn’t have too much in the way of decent pubs near the station but I’d say this one really isn’t worth the bother.

On 1st July 2017 - rating: 5
[User has posted 5050 recommendations about 5033 pubs]


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Bucking Fastard left this review about The Dickens Tavern

Sporting a lot of Greene King insignia on the outside,this long thin interior has a corporate feel with menus on every table.There is seating on both sides of the entrance door,the bar beyond has two sections with the 4 handpumps on the first part with two long wall mounted high bench seating areas,before opening out down some steps into a high ceiling back room,with mirrors down one side,and a lower pool table area to the right.This back area was quiet ,and would be a good place to watch Sky Sports peacefully,although it was on mute on my afternoon visit.
Besides the usual GK dross (IPA and London Gold) two guests are carried ,on my trip Black Sheep Bitter and a reasonable Twickenham Wolf of the Woods.Craft keg beers available.
It's clean and tidy ,with a level of interest as you walk along the thin interior ,functional but rather dull.

On 15th May 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Boots left this review about The Dickens Tavern

A long thin pub, a sign says it's the longest in London. owned by Taylor Walker there are two counters, the front one has four pulls serving Belhaven, Greene King (London's Glory) and a beer from Twickenham which was fine. There is also a range of ctaft kegs. Further back than the second counter are some steps leading down to a large sitting area which was full of tourists on my visit.

On 12th June 2016 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3209 recommendations about 2920 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about The Dickens Tavern

This is an exceptionally long narrow pub, the last section at the rear is down a few steps and houses a pool table but this is not a particularly appealing space as there is no natural light here. The front section has traditional style seating and the middle area has high tables. Wooden floors, decor generally consists of pictures of Paddington Station and other railway related stuff. Four handpumps serving Woodfordes Wherry, Pride, Youngs Bitter and Bombardier. The Wherry was ok (£3.47).
This is not an especially inspiring pub having no obvious remaining original features or anything to make it stand out but it was ok for a quick pre-train pint having got to Paddington a little earlier than anticipated.

On 10th April 2011 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


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Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Dickens Tavern

Much bigger inside than it appears from the front, but that is perhaps its only distinguishing feature. I suppose that the staff were reasonably efficient given the place was fairly busy when I visited, but the guest ale (Everards Sunchaser) was very ordinary.

On 25th June 2009 - rating: 5
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


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Philip Carter left this review about Dickens Inn

Long pub, reputed to be the longest pub in London. Sells real ale. Right at the back, down 10 steps is the pool room. Due to the narrowness of the place, may be hard moving about on crowded days. Give it a try.

On 30th April 2007 - rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]