The Dove

Pub in Hammersmith
The Dove image

4 / 10 from 3 reviews
Address
19 Upper Mall
Hammersmith
London
W6 9TA
Map
Telephone
020 8748 5405
Region
Hammersmith
Nearest Station
Ravenscourt Park
0.34 miles
Category
Pubs
Opening Times
Monday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Tuesday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Thursday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Friday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Saturday
Opens 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Sunday
Opens 12:00 - Closes 22:30

This riverside pub is in the Guinness Book of Records for having the smallest bar in Britain. It serves highly recommended food and beer, and is very popular because of this. The dining area can be found at the rear, and beyond that is a conservatory. The outside terrace is a great spot for viewing the University Boat Race.

The Dove Picture Gallery

The Dove Picture
The Dove Picture
The Dove Picture
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The Dove Picture

All In London Review

A literary institution with a picturesque location on the river

Review Image
Remember Rule Britannia, that jingoistic classic? Well, did you know that the lyrics were written in an unassuming riverside pub in Hammersmith? The Dove certainly has some history, but thankfully there’s more to it than its own storied past - although we did take some pleasure in scanning the list above the fire place in the front bar of famous names to have drunk here over the years – Diana Dors and Julie Andrews stood out.

Located west of Hammersmith Bridge, The Dove is the type of pub that you want to stumble on at the end of a long river walk in high winds and drizzle, a cosy bolt hole accessible from a narrow, nondescript alleyway. With a dining room and riverside terrace looking over the water, you can expect to find full tables on weekends as west Londoner’s stop in for all-day lunches. Food is of the classic British pub menu variety, which means roasts, burgers and pies. Not too far from the home of Fuller’s in Chiswick, The Dove lives in the shadow of its parent brewery so you’ll find the finest ESB, Honey Dew and Freedom lager on tap as well as rotating real ales.

While The Dove’s river views might be mistaken as its finest qualities, it is the front bar that does it for us. To the right of the entrance, hidden behind a solid wooden door, you’ll find Britain’s smallest bar. One room, not much bigger than 6x6 foot, houses one table and comes with access to its own slice of bar. Our advice, attempt to book in advance, arrive as the pub opens or bribe the bar staff, just do whatever it takes to get that table.

Reviewed by T.A.O anonymously
Published on Oct 21, 2015


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London's great literary pubs picture

London's great literary pubs

Tread in the steps of greatness

Ernest Hemingway was a fan when he was in town (who would have thought he ever tore himself away from the mojitos of Palm Springs) and Graham Green also appreciated the Dove’s riverside spot in Hammersmith.

User Reviews

Glenn-KOKO

Sep 29, 2011

Went to this beautiful looking pub on the river but turned out to be a disaster. The waitress was unfriendly. We ordered drinks and food upon arrival but the beers took 15 minutes to arrive. The barman seemingly did not get the ticket order. We had to ask the waitress 3 times for the drinks. The food was the worst part. The fish & chips meal: chips were fine, but the fish was the definition of insipid and the mushy peas looked like they had been left out for too long before being served. The canelloni was definitely microwaved and at £10.50 I expected more than that. When I asked the waitress if it was cooked on site or microwaved from frozen (which it evidently was) she obviously lied. Then the managed came to ask if there was a problem, but didn't do anything about it. We just left the food, finished our drinks and tried to enjoy the view. But I would not be going back there and I do not recommend this place. Tacky and cheap.
westerngal

Nov 30, 2006

This is a charming historic pub where Charles II and Nell Gwyn supposedly met. It has a roaring fire, river terrace views, and friendly service. A marvellous and atmospheric place for a drink, and should be a shoo-in for every West London tourist. But they need to be warned that it is absolutely not a place to eat. The sandwich I ordered, costing an eye-watering £6.95 was almost inedible, and although starving I left most of it. It was filled with school dinner tough leathery beef in gravy, clapped in slices of door-stop bread, and accompanied by chips fried in unpleasant tasting oil.
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