A few suggestions on where to spend long summer afternoons and evenings, some of which may be just "over the border" in Ealing...

The Town Wharf:

This is the place that is memorably described on the Feedback page as "pig's mucus". I beg to differ. If you're happy paying £3.00 for a pint of Stella for the privilege of overlooking the Thames whilst you quaff, Richmond is only a 15 minute riverside walk from this place. (And if you're really lucky you can have your evening ruined by a bunch of rowdy rugger buggers and hooray henrys!) I prefer to come here - it's a Sam Smiths' pub so it's cheap - not quite in Wetherspoons' bracket, but not far off... I'll admit its decor is a little bland, but it does have really comfy sofas. And anyway this place is at its best on a warm summer's afternoon or evening when you can take a seat on one of the large balconies and enjoy the view.

The Plough:

Norwood Green's Plough is another oasis, well worth braving the 120 bus for. If you like the Jolly Farmer, you'll like this place. If by looking at the picture of the interior you assume its all horse brasses, low ceiling with wooden beams, roaring fires and dozing labradors inside, then you're right. Fullers beer and a large beer garden complete the picture. Highly recommended.

The Lamb:

If you've made the effort to trek to Norwood Green to go to the plough, you may as well pay the Lamb a visit while you're at it. Its main draws are a beer garden that backs right onto the Grand Union Canal, reasonable prices and a clientelle that wouldn't look out of place at the Bell. A good place to recover after a canalside walk, or to fortify yourself before setting off on one.

Bedrock:

OK, so it may be in Ayia Napa (that's in Cyprus, Steve), but I simply had to include this place. Why? Because it's a Flintstones-themed karaoke bar. Fantastic, and as much fun as it sounds! I suppose it's too much to hope for that the refurbished Tankerville will end up looking like this? Thought so.

North Star

Well isn't it amazing what a lick of paint and some wooden floors can do? This place has been transformed from a nondescript, slightly grotty boozer into a very pleasant, bright and airy pub. I used to give this place a wide berth - now I think it's a perfectly pleasant way to kill a bit of time while waiting for a train, or to celebrate your return to this fantastic borough if you're returning from a trip away. They still have the friendly, floppy-eared German Shepherd (a dog, not a teutonic farm labourer!). But sadly the intriguing sounding "Gentlemen's evenings" seem to have gone.

The South Western

I popped in here last week when for some strange reason the North Star was closed at 11.00! "Traditional" is the best way to describe this place. It's pleasant, but nondescript. At the risk of damning it with faint praise, the only thing I can think to say about it is that it would be the ideal place to bring your dad on a Sunday lunchtime. Know what I mean?