Just around the corner from Putney Bridge station lies the Eight Bells - a 379-year-old Building of Merit and a cosy little place to enjoy a bevvie.

The Venue
The story behind Eight Bells is enough to inspire a visit. It is the oldest recorded alehouse in Fulham history, dating back to 1629 under the name of the Bell. Back in 1729, the All Saints Church positioned across from the pub had its six old bells recast and two more added – hence the eventual name of Eight Bells. The pub was originally located along the main road leading to Old Fulham Bridge, but in 1886 the bridge was demolished to make way for the new Putney Bridge just west of it. This is why the pub is in a strange just off the beaten track location.

Inside, you’ll find a drab decor of patterned carpets, wooden booths and dingy walls. However, if you look closely beyond the obvious you’ll notice charming little additions adorning the walls. This includes old framed photographs and newspaper clippings. A fine example of these quirky blast-from-the-past added touches includes a framed page of the Morning Advertiser from May 1846. For those looking for some modern touches, you can still watch Sky Sports on the flat screen television. If you want to enjoy some fresh air with your drink, Eight Bells has wooden benches outside to take a seat and relax.

The Atmosphere
When the sun sets, good luck getting a seat at Eight Bells. The place is packed with a very eclectic crowd of footie fans, professionals young and old, retirees and locals. Despite the difference in clientele, there is one commonality that brings everyone together – the desire for a laid back drink at a cosy and quirky pub.

The Drink
Eight Bells has a standard but reasonably lengthy selection of lager by the bottle and glass. A pint of Fosters will bring you back £3 and a pint of Stella is a reasonable £3.25. They have several real ales including London Pride and premium lager such as Carlsberg and Kronenbourg 1664 Cold Premiere.

Basic spirits such as vodka, rum, and whiskey all cost £2.35 a shot. The wine selection is also pretty basic, but satisfying nonetheless. A glass of house red or white is £3.10 and bottles of different grape varieties range from £12.50-£15.95.

The Last Word
If a busy pub with more guts than glam is your cup of tea – or in this case pint – Eight Bells in Fulham is a fine place for a good time.

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