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ONE PUB ONLY?
Magpie and Crown
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
Magpie and Crown and then to the Griffin
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Bell and Crown
|  |  Bell and Crown
11 - 13 Thames Rd TW4 3PL T 02085 944164
G Frank and Geraldine McBrearty
F High Quality menu, all freshly prepared to restaurant standard 12 to 3, 6 to 9.30, in Winter 12 to 9.30 Sun 12 to 8 in Summer
SP TV BM D
O 11 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun.
The Bell and Crown has one of the best riverside locations in London. From Kew Bridge you can see the pub and, no doubt, the crowds enjoying the walk to it when the sun shines. Geraldine and Frank run a top quality pub that has just been refurbished in the classic Fuller’s style. The changes are very subtle and enhance the character of what is both a prime tourist location and a great local’s food and ale house.
The best seats are in the conservatory where the full view of the river is found. The pub is, however, much more than just a show pub. It has several big areas around a central bar and the locals tend to use the front of the pub as the community meeting place. There are real fires to toast the chilled hands after a walk, and the welcome of the hosts is of the gentle warming Irish variety. The pub will be heaving on Twickenham related matchdays as it is also when the themed events are in full flow. Such was the case on my visit after the St Patrick’s and Triple Crown days when the beer ran dry. The pub was sparkling; the river views fantastic and, as usual, a pint of ESB gave me the glad to be in London feeling. The eights toiled away in front of barking cyclists and pram - pushing parents, as I sat in the conservatory listening to London conversations. This is definitely the place for the family meal before a walk along the Thameside footpath to the ground.
BWV 22.3.06: Fuller’s Chiswick, ESB, London Pride
BWV 20.9.09 Fuller,s Chiswick, ESB, London Pride | |  The Griffin
Brook Rd South TW8 0NP 02085 608555 W www.fullers.co.uk
G Ralph Clifton
F Good value, traditional pub food. BBQ in garden on matchdays 12 to 2
SP SK JB P D
O 11 to 12, 12 to 10.30 Sun
Doubtless many readers will know of, and will have visited, the Griffin before a game. It is the classic example of how Football and Real Ale works so well, sometimes without trying. This is because Ralph runs a pub that is geared up to the very best of stranger friendliness. It positively welcomes you to be part of the pub and the local Bees are the very best of friendly rivals. What will stand out on matchdays is the great friendly staff who know exactly how to get you a beer quickly and with a great smile
The pub is less than 50 metres from the away end and will be very busy. The garden plays a key function on matchdays by offering both an overflow area and barbeque food to fill the post - travel void. It is a classic community boozer, a sometime film set and a home to many groups of locals seeking a regular meeting place. On matchdays the pub becomes a base for all sorts of groups, from fanzine distributors to bucket collectors. The films include some classic big screen production, TV series and more recently adverts featuring Phil Taylor. The reason it is chosen is the classic London pub design. On my lunchtime visit the sun was streaming through the Fuller’s etched windows into a room that is full of pub memorabilia. The pub itself is worth a visit, just to see why great community pubs such as this need some
BWV 20.9.09 Fuller's London Pride | |  Magpie and Crown
128 High St Brentford, TW8 8EU T 02085 605658
G Stephen Bolton
F Good quality, good value Thai food with comprehensive evening alternatives and set lunches 12 to 2.30 Mon, 12 to 2.30, 6 to 10 Tue - Sat, 12.30 to 6 Sun
SP BM P
O 11 to 11 Mon - Wed, 11 to 12 Thu - Sat, 12 to 11 Sun
The Magpie and Crown is a pub with a high regard for community activities, i.e. angling, beer, talking about London life, more beer, chat about the Broncos and the Bees, yet more beer. With an ever - changing list of rare ales to choose from (the board records 1420 in the landlord’s time) the pub makes a refreshing change to the London scene so dominated by big pub tenancies. Add in foreign ales at relatively low prices, bottled ales and three real ciders, the choice for the true devotee is superb. This is the thinking man’s pub even down to the Monday night board games.
UPDATE: Thai food is now available along with draft continental ales. The beer record now stands at 1590. Stephen has celebrated 10 years at this great institution and the themed beer selections continue to add some real interest for the regular ale-head. Note the cider choice in midwinter is increased as the season’s demand and availability increases.
BWV 17.5.05: Welton’s Horsham Ruby Mild, York Mount Hood, Cascade, Guzzler. Newton's Discovery Cider, Cirrus Minor Cider, Heart of Hampshire Cider
UPDATE Stephen still runs this great pub. Satellite TV has now gone.
BWV 20.9.09 Sharp's Cornish Coaster, Doom Bar, Twickenham Grandstand Bitter, Wentworth Marbled White | | | WEST LONDON CAMRA | | 
GRIFFIN PARK | | WETHERSPOONS
The Red Lion & Pineapple 281 High Street Acton W3 9BP Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
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