The best pubs in West London for summer

The Thames tucks into West London’s riverbank like a snug duvet, no wonder then Hammersmith & Fulham and beyond are freckled with riverside pubs and pubs with lush beer gardens like daisies in a field.

I’m not claiming to tell the future, but something tells me London is in for another warm summer, like the one in ‘22 that had us all sun-kissed for an entire season without needing a trip abroad.

Here are the best pubs in West London for a summer day (and evening).

The Dove

A cold pint of Asahi and a fish and chips whilst sitting in the sunshine on a riverside terrace. Long-standing and much-loved, The Dove’s beer garden is easily one you can sit in from midday until dusk, watching the changing light and the movement of the tides.

Today it’s owned by Fuller’s, but there’s been a public house on the site since the seventeenth century. It has history, character, and looks like how pubs have looked for the last 200 years, before industrial chic became a thing. You don’t want the close confines of central London around you on a summer’s day or evening. No, far better to head out to Hammersmith and post up riverside.

Hammersmith, W6 | The Dove

The Black Lion

On the way to Chiswick from Hammersmith, occupying a space on the curving north bank of the River Thames, The Black Lion is a lovely old country pub that will make you feel like you’re not in London.

The generous brick-walled beer garden is snug against a river path, kept in company by a weeping willow, a stone fire pit, and garden greenery. I like the old pub architecture, its character, and its open sun-trap of a beer garden. There’s no reinvention of the wheel here, no fixing of what ain’t broke, just a good old-fashioned pub worth the trip out west on a summer’s day.

Hammersmith, W6 | The Black Lion Instagram

The Broadcaster

The requisite rooftop bar, except this is the supermassive rooftop of The Broadcaster (it has not one but two bars!). Perfect shading that still allows in diffuse light, bamboo lampshades and an overabundance of potted greenery, stunning views, and DJ sets. It’s a London summer scene through and through.

Backed by the same team behind The Lighterman in King’s Cross and Marylebone’s Boxcar and The Italian Greyhound, you can expect a balanced offering of views, atmosphere, and understated decor. Sauve, laid-back, with an all-day pub menu of seasonal fare paired with fine wines, cocktails, premium beer, and the equally requisite Aperol Spritz.

White City, W12 | The Broadcaster

The Crabtree

Follow the river Southeast from The Dove, and you come to another beloved Thameside pub, The Crabtree. In summer, weeping willows drape parts of the riverside terrace, creating a leafy green sanctuary but still allowing generous amounts of sunshine.

From Aperol Spritz to jugs of Pimm’s to ice cold lagers, accompanied by a new prix fixe menu of two courses for £18 or three courses for £22 (Monday – Thursday), what starts as lunch or dinner can easily drift into an afternoon, a sunset, and an evening. There are also plenty of events on during the season, from Fizz Fridays and pub quizzes to live music.

Fulham, W6 | The Crabtree

The Eagle

With a beast of a beer garden, The Eagle was always bound to be one of the best pubs in West London for summer. As if the deck furniture and garden huts weren’t inviting enough, the pub offers a signature Summer Spritz menu, including a sparkling marg, cold beers, and chilled wine.

The Young’s pub also steps it up with nibbles made for pairing with spritz, wine, or beer – Somerset camembert with sourdough and apple and pear chutney, and crispy, salty little whitebait with sourdough and tartar. Grab a table in the garden and have someone man it at all times; you’ll want it through the long summer evening.

Ravenscourt Park, W12 | The Eagle

The Duchess

Leafy green Goldhawk Road is home to The Duchess, a popular Hammersmith pub known as much for its beer garden as its tribute acts, drag bingo and the odd drag bottomless brunch.

There are a few choice tables in the front looking out on the mostly tree-lined residential junction of Goldhawk Road and Stamford Brook Road, but the beer garden out the back is obviously the place to be on a summer’s day – not too big, not too small, with enough room on the table for several rounds of crakin’ margaritas.

Hammersmith, W6 | The Duchess Instagram

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