please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Sadly no longer the time capsule it was, but the new owners have at least kept it going unlike the nearby Queens Arms.
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Oh, and note the traditional opening hours, 12-3 and 6-11 weedays and 7-10:30 Sunday.
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Cracking little pub. Bit on the pricey side, for a country boy like me, with London Pride and Doom Bar weighing in at £4.00 per pint. But the near by Curtain Up charges £3.85 for its Doom Bar and the Colton is most certainly worth the extra 15p. Excellent beer dispensed into proper dimpled mugs, to the reassuring lack of a forest of commercial lager taps, and the crowd of great locals make this place, even the brasses in the gents are well polished. Top marks.
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Nothing to add here. This is a great well run pub.
Sadly John's father, Norman, died a while back.
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Another pub that I used to live near, and way off the beaten trail, and well worth tracking down.
The landlords are really the parents of the gentleman most often found behind the bar, but everyone's lovely, and the "no mobiles" rule creates a great place to chat and hang out. There's some top stories to be had here - ask about the dog; the landlord used to work at the Beefeater distillery and spent an entire evening teaching me about the making gin, and how to drink it (fantastic).
And to boot, my friend and I were once seating at the bar, and in walked a gentleman selling seafood; cockles, whelks, winkles and the like. Brilliant. You don't see that too often these days, sadly. Seek the place out, a pleasant route is through Hammersmith Cemetary from Barons Court station, and appreciate a good pub.
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I visited this lovely pub on 27 December and was immediately given a friendly welcome by the landlord. After engaging in conversation with a regular at the bar, I offered him a drink only to be told "no I'll buy you one as you're new here".
The pub has lots of character filled into a small space. I would throroughly recommend a visit if ever you find yourself in the Barons Court area. Indeed, I would recommend getting yourself to the Barons Court area if only for this pub. Check opening times for afternoons beforehand though as this was my second time of visiting but it was closed on the previous occasion at 5pm.
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Arguably one of the best pubs in the world, on the following grounds:
1.) It is one of the few, true, proper pubs still in existence. Thus, sadly, it has little competition and far too few peers.
2.) The landlords. Some of the longest serving landlords in the game. Trust them.
3.) The beer. Always perfect. If your London Pride doesn't taste like your normal London Pride, then you've never had a good pint of London Pride before.
4.) It is an oasis of quality and character, almost untouched by modern commercialisation. There's no juke box, fruit machine, or even an electronic till.
5.) The d�cor has not been touched since before colour televisions, every bit of brass and copper is polished with pride. The copper bar has to be seen to be believed.
No, there's no food, but with beer this good, who needs it?
There's basically nothing I'd change, and nothing I'd want to see changed. Step back in time and be thankful that there are still any establishments like this in existence.
I'm so proud to have it as my local.
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Visited yesterday afternoon after a longer walk than expected - it isn't where the map on this site shows but much further east along Greyhound Road.
Can't add much to the previous descriptions of the pub.
Beer on offer was Pride, Doombar and Flowers IPA (all at a horrendous �3.80 a pint) supported by one lager - Fosters - and Guinness. Quality was fine.
Walking in here is a bit like being transported back 40+ years. The chap serving (Norman) must have been pushing 90 if not older. He was pulling pints whilst balancing on his walking stick and regaling the locals of tales of his war service in 1945! The lady behind the bar could have been straight out of an old episode of Coranation Street! No complaints - all very polite and friendly.
There were several locals in residence talking at a fairly high volume - if you are offended by swearing or non-PC talk, it might be best to avoid this place.
Closed at 3pm - we were offered a last round 5 minutes before - and they actually put towels on the pumps!
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Last night, a colleague and I found ourselves in Hammersmith. Using the excellent resource that is BITE, I searched, and found this gem of a pub (when I say 'found', it took some looking - the postcode given here is incorrect - it's much further down Greyhound Road than Googlemaps would have you believe - the actual postcode is W14 9SD).
It was worth the search. Not exciting from the outside, once you step inside you enter a lost world. You'll see lots of intricately carved dark wood, an open fire (though gas), and a small bar with a couple of snug(ish) rooms to either side.
The welcome is unparalleled - the Landlord (Jon) is truly an old school landlord - welcoming and jovial. The ale (my companion and I had Doom Bar - expensive at �3.40 a pint, less so when aforementioned landlord buys you a pint) is well kept and served in jugs (they have both dimpled and non-dimpled glasses). The beer tasted fresh and was served, as is right and proper, at just below room temperature.
There is, apparently, an outdoor area at the back, but probably due to the frigid conditions, this was shut during our visit. Though the pub itself was cosy and warm (the gas fire undoubtedly contributing to this - they also have another fireplace which looks to now be decorative), though the ladies' room was rather chillsome (though very clean).
The landlord challenged us to find the television on which they apparently show major sporting events - we were flummoxed. There is, however, a flat screen above the fireplace - utterly unobstrusive, as they only turn it on for said events - you won't find a rolling Sky Sports newsfeed here. Nor will you find loud music (in fact, there was no music playing during our visit) nor fruit machines. That is most welcome these days.
The pub is not large, and can get quite busy - when we arrived, nearly every seat was taken, and getting from one of the snug rooms to the loos can involve a bit of a slalom. But those little niggles aside, I can truly recommend this pub - it is worth seeking out. I hope to visit again when I'm in the area.
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Pride, Deuchars IPA and Doom Bar on. The Doom Bar was not cheap at �3.30 a pint, but tasted good. What a superb little pub this is. It doesn�t look like anything special from the outside, but the inside is full of character. The place is full of what appears to be elaborately carved antique furniture, including a screen to the right as you go in, and the bar (office) to the left. Very impressive. There�s also a fire on the go, and I found it to be reminiscent of a country pub � epitomised by the especially friendly welcome I was given.
When I was in during a weekday afternoon there were only a handful of regulars in, clearly enjoying a chat with chums. Nor did I notice any intrusive music or unwelcome one armed bandits spoiling the relaxed atmosphere. Beer is served in dimpled mugs rather than straight glasses � not my preference, but hardly important. Notwithstanding the fairly expensive beer, this pub is highly recommended and definitely worth seeking out.
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Visited this pub for the first time yesterday and very nice it is, too. Interior decor is more 1930s Roadhouse than village pub, but still has a good, local feel. A long, narrow room with two smaller rooms at the back. Fireplace on the left, beamed ceiling and a large mahogany carving against the right-hand wall that looks as if it was once part of a huge dresser. London Pride, Sharp's Doom Bar and Harveys Best on tap. We had several well-kept pints of Harvey's (slightly expensive at �3.25 a pint). A proper, old-style boozer. I shall return.
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Superb! Went back after 40 years and nothing seems to have changed (although the beer is better than in the 60s when it was Watneys!. Now Harveys, London Pride etc). Even the same landlord. Small and intimate pub - oak panelling, horse brasses, friendly landlords. Do make a point of visiting and enjoy.
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A village pub in London! Nice cosy little pub with open fire and chintzy Jacobean decor. The landlord took the trouble to pass the time of day and check everything was ok for us - a very rare occurrence in London! I will definitely be going back.
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A great find off the beaten track behind Charing Cross Hospital. Well kept beer usually Pride plus one other(Great Pint of Harvey's on my visit)Friendly Staff (Presume Father and Son Combo) Hope this place does not go the same way as the one up the road. Worth a visit before it gets closed or done up.
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An old-fashioned pub (and none the worse for that), making it stand out from the usual run of West London bars. Real ales served in traditional 'jugs', and lagers offered in a plainer glass with a handle. Off the beaten track, but well worth a few minutes detour from Barons Court underground.
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A quirky but nice pub that time forgot. Despite the warm shandy for my gender reassigned friend, the creepy 'dead bodies in the basement' feel the land-lady presented, expensive small lager list and intoxicating chemical spray in the garden - it was worth the visit. For the locals however.
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A bit like drinking in a National Trust property, yes, it's diferent I loved it. First time for ages that I've been served beer in a jug without asking - but I prefer straights. Landlord seeems a bit stiff and starchy and I don't think that non - locals are encouraged or particularly welcomed.
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Not as special as you would expect. Stiffness is the theme in here. A falseness from staff didnt impress. Not such a friendly crowd as, 30 second walk to, the queens head which has a real pub feel and a 60's retro style. But lovely garden for those summer days.
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The point about this pub is that isn't hasn't been decorated to "maximise" its potential - that would just make it a naff gastro pub. This pub isn't done out like a country local because someone thought it would be fashionable, this is a country local (albeit in the middle of London). The staff are great, John the landlord is a star (seriously how many landlords are you on first name terms with in London), and the beer is good. As for the "braying toffs" you're in West London for goodness sake - what do expect coal miners and lumberjacks? I can't recommend this place highly enough.
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I really dont understand what the fuss is about with this place. Whoever runs it has missed out on ALOT of potential - if you take your eyes away from the furnishings and the bar, the building itself has a quaint country feel about it and you'd expect the rest to follow suit. In my opinion, the metal bar (urgh), and plastic backed benches (urgh urgh) just look tacky. I'll not be going back.
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They have some fantastic non-mainstream ales on tap. The little garden out back is my favorite place to drink beer on a sunny day. The interior is dark and dank but in a cozy way if you like that sort of thing.
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All the Customers were moaning about their University days.
BORING!
Nice pub otherwise, completely unexpected given the area,
Bit pricey though, 3 quid for Stella.
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Lovely place - excellent beer and an uber-friendly crowd :D
I used to live in the area, and can confirm the pub does have a few black regulars so the rumours aren't true.
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As visiting Norwich fans to our disaster at Fulham this was the highlight of our day. Brilliant landlord, been in the family for years. Excellent real ale, friendly. A real find. Shame we won't be in the Premiership next season although we could go to it before QPR!
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I live around the corner from this pub and it IS great but the locals are a shower of braying toffs. They really are an insufferably posh bunch. I visited on a Sunday night once and there were hoards of people actually wearing 'wellies' and smelling of dogs after a jolly weekend huntin' and shootin' on Mummy's estate.
It's a nice pub with a bizarrely posh crowd. I actually quite enjoy going there with a couple of mates all wearing trainers and hoodies, the landlord's face lights up when he sees normals and the locals look as if they've accidentally trodden in something.
Rumours aboun that they won't serve blacks in the Colton. But those rumours are based on the testimony of drunken Nina, and hence, questionable at best.
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I agree - it's a classic - and no, I won't go telling everyone about it
A real gem to treasure and keep to ourselves
Good Deuchars IPA
John - 10 Nov 2004 13:10 |
Pobably the best local you could ever have...a country pub in the heart of London. John and the team are fantastic, certainly worth a visit if you are ever in the area. But don't go telling everyone!!
andrew - 26 Oct 2004 13:11 |
Being a local I'm a bit biased...but it is a London gem...great beer garden and a community feeling of a different era.
As for Serious' comment...Have you got two heads by the way?
David - 3 Sep 2004 12:41 |
John - the manager - and his staff are fantastic. This is the quintissential local pub (and mine, by the way). Having lived in many areas of London, and having had many 'locals', this is the first that I've found that is actually a genuine part of the community. Good value for money as well...if the Colton ever starts serving food, or if the smoking ban ever comes in to play, I don't know if I'll ever leave! ;)
peter - 27 Jul 2004 10:29 |
Brilliant local pub! Really old interior, very classic, and lovely little flower-filled courtyard out the back. Deuchars IPA on tap is fabulous as the Scots make inroads down South
Simon - 19 Jul 2004 11:55 |
I have been living round the corner for a few years now and only recently discovered. Very local, very cosy, quality service, reminds me of being in the sticks, an absolute gem!
anonymous - 28 Feb 2004 13:20 |
Delightful local pub,traditional and spotless with character added by amazing family run team,a treasure
Paul - 11 Nov 2003 11:57 |
Full of yuppies, very cliquey ... people look at you like you've got two heads when you walk in.
Serve a decent pint though !!!
Serious - 4 Nov 2003 17:30 |
Proper local pub serving good beer. The Landlord is a star and offers proper service with no attitude. An good local.
alex - 27 Aug 2003 09:51 |
Tiny, family-run, proper old-fashioned pub trapped in a time-warp and owned by real Londoners . Lovely little beer garden, sarnies at lunch but otherwise no food. Mainly frequented by locals but Will Young has been spotted there too!
Alice - 23 Jul 2003 13:59 |
