The Woodlands Tavern

Just what London needs - another pub with "Tavern" in its name. The Woodlands Tavern in London's Isleworth neighborhood initially struck me as yet another mediocre watering hole trying desperately to convince locals it's their new favorite spot. I'll admit, I walked in with my critic's pen sharpened, ready to eviscerate another forgettable establishment from my city's oversaturated pub scene.

But damn it all if The Woodlands Tavern didn't make me eat my words along with my surprisingly decent fish and chips.

Let's address the elephant in the room - yes, it's a pub in London charging London prices for fairly standard pub fare. The audacity, right? Except here's where things get annoying (for a critic, that is): the value proposition actually makes sense. When a pint of Guinness costs less than seven quid in this economy, one must grudgingly tip their hat to the establishment's restraint.

The interior hits that sweet spot between "we've actually put in some effort" and "we're not trying too hard to be Instagram-worthy." You know the type - worn wooden floors that have actually earned their character rather than being artificially distressed by some overpriced designer. The bar staff - and it pains me to say this - actually seem to enjoy their jobs. In this era of performative hospitality, their genuine warmth is almost suspicious.

The games room at the back is a particularly clever touch. While most London pubs these days seem determined to transform every square inch into dining space (ka-ching!), The Woodlands Tavern maintains a proper pool table and dart board. It's almost as if they understand that pubs are supposed to be, you know, social spaces rather than just food delivery vehicles.

Speaking of social spaces, the outdoor seating area manages to be both functional and pleasant - a combination as rare in London as an affordable flat. They've resisted the temptation to cram in as many tables as physically possible, instead creating an environment where you can actually hold a conversation without sharing it with the entire neighborhood.

The drinks selection hits all the right notes without trying to reinvent the wheel. Yes, they serve cocktails, but they're not pretending to be a speakeasy. Yes, they have craft beer, but they haven't turned their tap list into a dissertation on hop varieties. It's refreshingly... competent.

For sports viewers (I know, I know, but some people actually enjoy that sort of thing), they've managed to install multiple screens without turning the place into a sports bar. It's a delicate balance they've struck - you can watch the match without feeling like you're in a betting shop.

Their payment system has dragged itself into the 21st century, accepting everything from cash to contactless, which shouldn't be noteworthy in 2025 but somehow still is in plenty of London pubs. The staff handles transactions with the kind of efficiency that makes you wonder if they've been imported from a parallel universe where British pub service is actually prompt.

Dog-friendly without being a canine circus, group-friendly without encouraging stag parties, and sports-showing without becoming a rowdy mess - The Woodlands Tavern seems to have found that elusive sweet spot that so many London pubs miss by a country mile.

Look, I'm as surprised as anyone to be writing this, but The Woodlands Tavern has managed to be something rather special by not trying to be special at all. In a London pub scene increasingly dominated by either soulless chains or over-conceptualized gastropubs, it's refreshingly content to just be a proper pub, done properly.

So fine, you win, Woodlands Tavern. You've earned your place in the London pub landscape. For those seeking an authentic local without the pretense (or the eye-watering prices) of central London's more famous establishments, you could do far worse than making your way to Isleworth. Just don't all rush there at once - I've grown rather fond of being able to find a seat without having to sharpen my elbows first.