The Defector's Weld is Back - Tonight is Opening Night

The Defector's Weld is back

The Defector's Weld is back - reopening today after a long refurbishment.  The Defector's Weld is a pub on the corner of Uxbridge Road and Wood Lane, voted the Best Pub in The Bush by the old Shepherd's Bush Blog, as edited by Chris Underwood back in 2012. 

The vote was conducted by readers of the blog, and The Defector's Weld won by a large margin.  

Pubs with Wheel Chair Access in Shepherd's Bush

Crown & Sceptre - Good Wheelchair Access

Few able bodied residents of Shepherd's Bush probably think much about wheelchair access to local shops and amenities. 

For my part, I gave little thought to wheelchair access until I had children - and had to wheel their buggy up and down pavements and steps, discovering for the first time how difficult even a single step can be - if you are on wheels.

Shepherd's Bush resident Toni Sharpe is herself a wheelchair user, and she writes in this guest post about two of the best pubs in The Bush that offer effective access to wheelchair users.

Princess Victoria Reborn

Princess Victoria interior

And now for the good news - the Princess Victoria pub on the Uxbridge road is back. Arguably the best boozer in Shepherd's Bush, The PV has now re-opened, complete with new management and a new menu.

The new owners are the Three Cheers Pub Co, who have made a significant investment in freshening the place up, with plenty of fresh paint, new pictures on the walls, and a general facelift.

Princess Victoria Closes

Princess Victoria

Shepherd’s Bush's venerable pub, The Princess Victoria, which was awarded the London County Dining Pub of the Year in last year's edition of the Good Pub Guide, has closed.

The Princess Victoria, or "The PV", as everyone called it, was an excellent pub.  Located on an otherwise unremarkable section of the Uxbridge road, this former Victorian gin palace was transformed into a stunning gastropub which somehow managed to achieve excellent food without the pretension of many pubs-turned-restaurants.

Charity Book Sale at the Defector's Weld on Monday 18th April

Shepherd's Bush educator Toni Sharpe is hosting a charity booksale upstairs at the Defector's Weld pub on Shepherd's Bush Green on Monday 18th April at 6pm.

Come along and recycle the books you no longer want, and buy some new (-ish) ones too.

Books will be sold on at 20% of list price, or 15% for students. All proceeds are going to good causes.

Comedy Fundraiser on 15 March For Kids With Autism

Princess Victoria, Uxbridge Rd

Focus West London is holding a storytelling event by way of a fundraiser for their Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Saturday Club on the evening of 15 March 2015.  The event takes place in Shepherd's Bush  - at the Princess Victoria pub on Uxbridge Road.

The event is described by FWL as "an evening of eclectic and fabulous tales", hosted by comedian Sarah Bennetto.  Come to Shepherd’s Bush's finest gastropub and "lose yourself in an evening of stories". And, help support autistic children and their families as well.

Will The Goldhawk Tavern Re-Open?

Goldhawk Tavern, Goldhawk Road. Photo: Google Maps

Recently a reader contacted us to ask "I'm wondering if you had any information on the Goldhawk Tavern which is still derelict after many years. It's a shame because this used to be one of my favourite pubs in the area." Sadly, we don't know the answer to this.  What is clear however is that pub closures are a sad feature of our times.  The streets of West London are full of ex-pubs - now converted into houses, nail bars, business premises, in short - anything but a pub.  The only ones that seem to survive are those on busy high streets that have effectively become restaurants.  So, is there hope then for the Goldhawk Tavern?

Princess Victoria Wins London County Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide

Princess Victoria

Shepherd’s Bush's venerable pub, The Princess Victoria, has been awarded the London County Dining Pub of the Year in the latest edition of the Good Pub Guide.

The Princess Victoria is an excellent pub.  Located on a rather drab windswept section of the Uxbridge road, this former Victorian gin palace has been transformed in a stunning gastropub which somehow manages to achieve excellent food without the pretension of many pubs-turned-restaurants.

Draft House Pub Offers Half Price Food and Drink to Bush Locals From February 23 - 25

The Famed Hammersmith Palais - all that is left today is the sign. Photo: Wikipedia

Pubs are closing all across the country, but here in The Bush a new pub, The Draft House, is opening up on Shepherd's Bush Road. The pub will celebrate the historic music venue The Hammersmith Palais (all that is left is the sign above) which was demolished in 2013, despite having played host over the years to The Beatles,  The Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie and The Sex Pistols.  The Draft House is offering neighbours a special deal: from Feb 23-25 food and drink are half price for locals. What more could you ask?