Mawson Arms/ Fox and Hounds, Chiswick - pub details
Address: 110 Mawson Lane, Chiswick, London, W4 2QD [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 12256) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Stamford Brook (0.6 miles), Turnham Green (0.6 miles), Ravenscourt Park (0.8 miles)
Chiswick (1 mile), Barnes Bridge (1.1 miles), Gunnersbury (1.2 miles)
Brewery: Fullers
Pub facilities/features:
- Food served, Real ale
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> Current user rating: 7.5/10 (rated by 30 users)
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> Local guide: London pub guide
other pubs nearby:
George and Devonshire, Chiswick (0.1 miles), Devonshire Arms, Chiswick (0.2 miles), Duke Of York, Chiswick (0.3 miles), Black Lion, Hammersmith (0.4 miles), Roebuck, Chiswick (0.4 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of Mawson Arms/ Fox and Hounds, Chiswick
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 20 shown - see all reviews
| Inevitably I paid a visit (actually two) to what is the flagship pub of Fuller, Smith and Turner's 365 in total, as part and parcel of a very comprehensive and engrossing tour round the Griffin Brewery and its historically-rich environs. Happily, the entire experience was free-of-charge thanks to a colleague of mine winning a tour and lunch on a James May-endorsed Facebook competition - social network sites finally show themselves to have a worthwhile use after all! It meant that myself and another lucky co-worker were treated to the full-on Fuller's experience. The tour may not be a freebie for all, but even at the £10 pricetag, it comes highly-recommended, especially to those who might have considerable experience of micro-brewery visits but perhaps less of the regionals. It forms a fascinating counterpoint. This excursion is run personally by John Keeling, the head brewer and Fuller's-based since 1981, who has a well-rehearsed and rich awareness of the company's history as well as experience of breweing their beers, and the wider social and architectural background pertaining to Chiswick Village - the rather quaint and immaculately-preserved island of Georgian buildings sandwiched between the Thames and the modern, hectic A4 carriageway. It is a veritable oasis of civility and calm despite still being centred on the hive of industry that is the brewery, and Keeling's tour takes in the surroundings, where the barges used to stop off on the river, ex-brewer's houses, ex-pubs (there used to be 5 on 'the island' plus 1 brothel!) and the beautiful church where W Hogarth among other prominent personalities are buried. Fortunately for me and others who don't always find appeal in the raw scientific detail of brewery tours, John's focused less on that and stuck to the core details with flourishes of history added in to keep the dialogue between the old and new Fuller's operations going. He is open to questions and comments and is more than a good host, especially when it comes to sampling in the Hop Cellar at the end. The usual range of 5 or 6 cask beers are made available along with a wide selection of their bottled offerings (conditioned anf filtered). We were moved along to the pub at 2PM for what proved to be a hearty luncheon - being the glutton I am I opted for the two courses (tomato and watercress soup then steak and ESB ale pie 'n' chips) which were both found in excellent form; really tasty as I'm sure the other options were. Indeed, given Fuller's rather lofty pricing strategy in their pub estate it tasted all the sweeter taking some grub off them for nothing! The menu was that of a smart pub but not gastro-ish; pub grub meets bistro which suits the ambience of the smartly-decorated yet traditionally-themed interior of the Mawson. Ale-wise, one has a selection of I think 5 on cask and the usual bottled fare. The London Porter, Pride, Chiswick and current seasonal Front Row were all splendidly-kept as one would expect, and lingered long on the palate after swallowing. At this point I should say the welcome from the barmaids and manageress was convivial, and service efficient and pleasant. We really were treated well despite not having paid a penny for it. Before you wonder too hard, the pub has two names as it's believed that the Fox & Hounds stood further down where the brewery shop now is - as it was an equally-prominent meeting place, when it closed it was decided that the name should be moved to join its neighbour the Mawson on the corner, which was a 2-bar arrangement then. The dual name has stuck ever since. Even if I was a paying customer I'd have been pleased to part with the necessary funds to obtain the quality of the wares and service at this pub, and it is a worthy talisman for the best aspects of the modern Fuller's operation. Yes, it does follow the usual Fuller's template and in some parts of London one is perhaps beset by similar pubs belonging to this estate. But if you're not near one, or perhaps feel you've fallen out of love a little with the ubiquity of the company's beers, travelling out here may hold greater appeal and act as a reminder of how good it can be, whether or not you're in the market for the full brewery tour. TWG - 22 Feb 2012 18:00 |
| As this place abuts the Fuller's brewery you'd think they'd take extra care with the beer and food. You'd be right. A wide selection of well-kept beer (all Fuller's and Gales obviously) and tasty grub. The brewery tour (which starts in the pub) is well worth the time it takes and the tenner it costs. And if you didn't have enough to drink beforehand, they'll rectify that oversight at the conclusion of the tour. beansoup - 25 Jan 2012 23:53 |
| Both Withnail and I would be happy to think that it's no longer the 60's yet pubs can still be as they were. There were 8 blokes grabbing a good lunch with a few pints, others getting lunch with soft drinks + a TV that was muted because it doesn't show good programmes @ lunchtime during the week..... yet you know there will be people wanting to grab a footy match or cricket when it's on. Simple - this is the best pub I have been to in the UK this century Pyrrhula - 28 Feb 2011 21:45 |
| Echo the positive comments about this place, and also the brewery tour. Get a Fullers' card (sign up on the internet for free) in advance and a tasting tour drops to £8 (usually a tenner). Very interesting, and a decent tasting session afterwards, trying eight different off tap and a couple of bottles too. Recommended. As is the Hook Norton tour, if you fancy seeing some place smaller, still using the original brewing equipment. duchyjim - 5 Aug 2010 21:58 |
| Paid a brief visit to this pub yesterday. Didn't do the brewery tour. Needless to say, it's a Fullers pub with London Pride, Chiswick, ESB, Discovery, London Porter and Seafarers Ale. Cider is Symonds Founders Reserve. Pictures featuring Fullers beers and the brewery line the walls. The floor is bare floorboards. Sky Sports News was showing on the TV in the corner. The bar area appears to be the old Mawson Arms, whilst the tables at the rear (which seem to be used mainly for eating) occupy what appears to be the old Fox & Hounds. Only really worthwhile, if you are doing the brewery tour. blue_scrumpy - 19 Jun 2010 15:37 |
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