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Detail Pages
The Malt Shovel, Cowley, Uxbridge
Uxbridge
UB8 2JE
Pub Type
Vintage Inns (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Malt Shovel
The Malt Shovel has a nice location next to a lock on the Grand Union Canal. However, it's certainly a chain pub that likes to focus on diners.
Yesterday, there were 4 handpulls clipped. But as you're not supposed to order from the bar, they must have been for show, as when I tried to order a Holy Grail or a TEA, I was told that only Doom Bar was available.
They say that they only allow people who have reserved. But I managed to walk in and grab one of the myriad of spare tables. Not the best of places. But it's fairly local for me.
On 2nd September 2020
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2454 recommendations about 2453 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Malt Shovel
Attractive pub alongside the canal which is geared towards food but with a fair drinking area also. 4 beers on when I called - Proper job, Landlord, Ubu and Doom bar. The 2 we tried were fine. All in all a decent pub and I would happily call again.
On 5th June 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Malt Shovel
We attended the Malt Shovel for a family meal with parents and nieces. The service was great and the food was better than average. The beer choice was a little thin on our visit, most brews were off, leaving just the Breakspear, which was very good. A decent pub, near to the university and not overrun with students, due to the relatively high prices. Would call again if visiting the kids.
On 21st December 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Malt Shovel
Canal-side inn with an attractive, if plain, facade. Modernised split-level interior with light decor, and further dining room (or rooms?) beyond. Decking beer garden to one side. As you would expect from a Vintage Inn, it is very much a food-centered operation but the compact bar area retains a more 'pubby' feel. Efficient staff. Three handpumps, offering Pride, Doom Bar and a rotating guest (Wadworth Horizon on our recent visit). Overall, not a bad option if you are looking for a family meal in the Uxbridge area.
On 10th November 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Malt Shovel
Two thorough reviews below.
The Malt Shovel is really a standard Vintage Inn with all that that entails: lots of fake pine beams, newish wooden furniture, an unsurprising but decent quality menu and 3 handpumps.
Beers on our visit were Doom Bar and Pride as regulars and a cracking Acorn Scorachi IPA in top condition as a guest. It doesn't look as though this was a one off either as the range of clips featuring past guests as well as the list of those forthcoming included some interesting beers.
Well worth stopping by if passing to sample the guest ale.
On 21st November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Malt Shovel
Little needs to be added to Maldenman's comprehensive review,I was only in for a beer but did find the delineation by quarry tiling of the drinking area helped maintain a pub atmosphere in that part of the pub close to the bar.There was also a screen switched off,which may come in to play at certain times.There is a lot of reclaimed timber used,fake but in a good way.Plenty of nooks and crannies around the interior too.
What really impressed me was the ale policy.London Pride and Doom Bar are regulars but there is a rotating guest,an immaculate IPA from Acorn Brewery on my visit and a list of guests appearing soon which despite featuring a couple of Adnams brews ,did otherwise show some adventurous selections.
Visiting this pub was a bit of hit and hope given the pausity of reasonable pubs in the area ,and I feel it came up trumps on the beer front.I will be popping in again when next around this way.
On 4th November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2728 recommendations about 2728 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Malt Shovel
An attractive 19th century listed building in an enviable canalside location just along from Cowley Lock. The interior has a number of interconnected areas on different levels as the building steps down the slope from the adjoining bridge. The bar area has a part stone flagged and part quarry tiled floor, and a low beamed ceiling. Adjoining raised areas are carpeted.
The pub appearance promised much from the outside however I found the interior distinctly underwhelming as the decor, furnishing and general ambience had that contemporary feel that had me making comparisons with a chain hotel lounge. This impression was only reinforced by the low level barely audible music being played. Decor involved framed prints with a fair few being of hunting scenes. The pub is part of the Vintage Inns chain.
Three handpumps in use, another two on a separate area of bar were not in service. London Pride, Doom Bar and guest Harviestown Bitter and Twisted.
Most people seemed to be here for the food, it's that sort of place. The standard menu had the usual staples such as gammon, eggs and chips (£7.45), scampi (£6.95), Lancashire Hot Pot (with red wine sauce...just wrong) (£9.95). There is a more upmarket specials menu, this included sea bass with crushed potatoes, green beans and "sunblazed" tomatoes.
There are a couple of outdoor tables to the front and a large side terrace with jumberellas that looks to be a pleasant spot by the canal on a sunny day.
On 24th March 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]