Red Lion, Isleworth  

Proving the best pubs are often off the main drag, here's a fine place hidden away in a suburban street in Isleworth. It's quite a large affair, made up of two bars, filled with a fair amount of original features and a pretty beer garden. We didn't think the red couches matched the rest of the decor very well, but overall it was a homely affair, helped in no uncertain terms by the friendly service. It's also a pub at the forefront of fostering the ever-growing link between blues music and real ale (perhaps Robert Johnson sold his soul for eternal CAMRA membership?); we sampled the latter rather than the former on our visit and had no complaints: we counted 8 ales on tap and those we sampled were as well kept as you'd hope. Entertainment also comes in the form of regular beer festivals, an amateur theatre group and a Thursday quiz night and is supplemented by some reasonably priced pub grub. Overall, the Red Lion is a very much unspoilt community pub and worth a detour if you happen to find yourself in TW7.

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)