Unlike some of the pint-sized pubs in central, West London’s watering holes benefit from bigger spaces and riverside settings, effectively putting them into country pub territory.
Tables book up fast for the annual Oxford vs Cambridge boat race, but the cosy firesides and expansive beer gardens make these Hammersmith pubs a treat any time of the year, where dogs are welcome and weekend walkers congregate for Sunday grub.
Here’s our pick of the best:
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The Dove
Overlooking the river, drinkers and diners travel from across the city for The Dove’s Sunday roasts and year-round pigs in blankets: try and bag a table at the top of the spiral staircase for the best views, especially on boat race day, when you can watch the rowers on the Hammersmith to Chiswick Eyot stretch. Inside, the 17th Century building reveals its historic past with black and white photos, original beams and brickwork, and being a Fuller’s pub there’s a decent line-up of cask ales and craft beers on tap.
Details: 19 Upper Mall, London W6 9TA
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The Carpenters Arms
Part gastropub, part potting shed, there’s a green-fingered approach at The Carpenters Arms which puts the ‘garden’ back into beer garden. Pretty potted rockfoils, speedwell and ivy leaf geranium flower and flourish in the sunny space, and the colour continues inside, where antique furniture and vintage lampshades light up the rooms. There’s a ‘bring your own vinyl’ policy in the private dining room, and the kitchen’s taken a (metaphorical) leaf out of the slow food book (Porthilly oysters with hot melon sauce are a best-seller).
Details: 91 Black Lion Lane, London W6 9BG
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The Andover Arms
A Victorian boozer with a warm neighbourhood vibe thanks to the genuine staff and community focussed events (last Valentine’s Day they raised £5000 for guide dogs. That kind of thing). The food here’s a cut above, helped by a fleet of quality suppliers like Brindisa, Redemption Roasters and The Celtic Bakers. Enjoy West Mersea oysters with a well-poured Guinness, or come for the superlative Sunday roast with its chorus of thyme & garlic roasties, massive Yorkshires and gravy. On top of that, there’s relaxed life drawing sessions once a month, and occasional chef’s table nights where the whole of Brackenbury Village gets together around candlelit tables.
Details: 57 Aldensley Road, London, W6 0DL
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The Crabtree
If The Crabtree were a wine, it would be Whispering Angel – a bit pricey, but everyone likes it. Sure, you’ll find a few Schoffels and Barbour jackets en route to their second property in the home counties, but the fairy-lit terrace, live music and an abundance of four-legged friends waiting for a belly rub make up for the slightly chinny crowd at this popular Hammersmith pub. Football fans love the Fulham FC match day deals, whilst Londoners wander along the Thames and reward themselves with short rib burgers topped with smoked Applewood Cheddar or a fresh, herby tiger prawn linguini.
Details: Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA
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The Blue Anchor
Sitting next to the boathouses on the pedestrianised Lower Mall, The Blue Anchor’s cobalt picnic tables and oar-lined walls have been kept shipshape for over 300 years. Upstairs, there are bright, breezy views over the Thames from the River Room, and downstairs is a cosy, semi-private snug for lazy afternoons. Between Monday and Wednesday, they offer three-for-two on bar snacks such as nduja Scotch eggs made with Cackleberry Farm produce and homemade piccalilli, and there’s live acoustic music at weekends.
Details: 13 Lower Mall, London W6 9DJ
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The Colton Arms
For about 8 months of the year, the kitchen garden here provides about 40% of all the fruit and veg on the The Colton Arms’ menu, but it’s the roast beef, wagyu burger and bavette steak that keeps punters coming back – check the specials board for the sharing steaks, as the menu changes frequently, and ask Peter to provide the perfect wine pairing.
Details: 187 Greyhound Rd, London W14 9SD
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The Stonemasons Arms
Hammersmith pubs are clearly ahead of the pack when it comes to sustainability. The team at The Stonemasons Arms have also taken steps to make their menu more sustainable, from growing their own herbs to giving their food waste to a farmer, who uses it to feed his pigs. Although with sourdough pizzas from Sodo – like the Wickerman with ‘secret tomato sauce’, British mozzarella, nduja sausage, mascarpone and homegrown Scotch bonnet chilli honey (made by the bees on the roof) – you’re very unlikely to leave anything behind. There are special deals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays (plugged by happy hours on Thursday and Friday), plus a weekly quiz on Wednesdays.
Details: 54 Cambridge Grove, London W6 0LA
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The Queen’s Head
Sat in a little Georgian cottage overlooking Brook Green, The Queen’s Head has come back bigger and better from its refurb in 2022. There’s local ales from Chiswick’s Fuller’s brewery on tap, and a surprisingly decent food menu including original vegetarian dishes such as grilled zhoug aubergine with piquillo pepper, toasted almonds and croutons. The beer garden is vast, with intimate cabins you can hole up in, but you’ll find a roaring open fire and cosy low beams inside, too. It’s also one of the few pubs in Hammersmith with an accessible bathroom.
Details: 13 Brook Green, London W6 7BL
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The Chancellors
The Chancellors ticks off most pub requisites: cheery atmosphere; sports on the telly; thick-capped Guinnesses by the woodburner stove in winter and spritzes outside in summer. But the reason there’s such a buzz about this particular Hammersmith boozer is the food. What started as a pandemic-era hustle to keep the pub going has now evolved, Machoke-style, into one of the most hyped residencies in London – and it’s true, Crisp W6 really does do some of the best pizza in the city. You’ll need to order ahead if you want a slice of the action, but for any other typical pub needs you’ll be welcomed in with open arms.
Details: 25 Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 9RL
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The Old Ship
With an enormous two-tier terrace overlooking the Thames, The Old Ship leaves other riverside pubs in its wake. Inside you’ll find sport on the screens, wagging tails protruding from beneath the big tables of families, and smart Chesterfield seating lining the walls. Book the tucked-away Captain’s Table, surrounded by portholes and sailing paraphernalia, and tucked between the bar and the wine cupboard… just as the captain would want.
Details: 25 Upper Mall, London W6 9TD
Fancy treating yourself while you’re by the river? Check out renowned Italian The River Cafe