Brentfords Fifty Public Houses Record in Verse

Brentford pub history index

A listing of historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Middlesex.

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Marylebone Mercury. 13 January 1940 - Brentfords Fifty Public Houses Record in Verse
Three weeks ago a letter appeared from a reader who said he had heard Brentford High street referred to as "The street of fifty Inns" He asked if any reader could tell him the names of all the public houses at one time from Kew Bridge to Brentford Canal Bridge.

I took a walk through Brentford Town
On 'Copy' finding bent
I scanned the buildings up and down
With harrowed feelings pent.

I saw a modest signboard swing
with legend "Barge Aground"
Of publichouses I'll take note
Of nothing else till night

Come by "Express" to Brentford down
For honours do not barter
For at the entrance to the town
You'll find the "Star & Garter"

Geographers would never think
At Kew Bridge they would find
"Oxford and Cambridge" on the brink
Where silvery Thames doth wind

A "Plough," the farmer he can get,
"Waggon and Horses" too,
And if on "Lamb" his thoughts are set,
He'll find one close in view.

As o'er the "Globe" the sailors roam,
"The Magnet" for their guide,
Their "Hope amd Anchor," is their home
Whatever may betide

The "North Star" helps to guide their course
Until "The Rising Sun"
And sweet "Six Bells" their sound discourse
To prove the days begun.

"Lord Nelson" brave, is twice assigned
To be a beershops name,
"Marquis of Gransby" much maligned
To public gives the same.

"The Duke of Cambridge" he might ride
His "White Horse" in our bounds,
Hunt "White Hart" near the "Windmill's" side
Or follow the "Fox and Hounds".

"Alexandra" and "The Prince of Wales"
Are both in Brentford found
"A Royal Tar" may tell his tales
Ere "Eight Bells" give their sound.

A "Royal Horseguardsman" stands quite near
"The Standard" firm and loyal,
While "Patriot" and "Volunteer"
Both guard the "Princess Royal"
Here heraldry is in full swing
Displaying curious traces,
"Bricklayers Arms" before us swing
And "Waterman" in two places

"Grand Junction Arms" are there displayed
"Carpenters Arms" the same,
While Claremeux would feel dismayed
"The Pottery Arms" to name.

"The Hand and Flower", "Red Lion" (two)
"Bull", "Harp" and Feathers" beside
"Half Moon and Crown", and "Royal Oak"
In which King Charles did hide.

" The Kings Arms" and the "Queens Arms" both
with soldiers quartered oft,
While "George the Fourth" seems nothing loath
And looks down from aloft.

With "Coach and Horses" you may ride
And view "Northumberland Arms"
With "George and Dragon" close behind
And near an "Angel" charms,

"Half Moon and Seven Stars" combined
And "Seven Stars" as well
American and Turk may find
Their national pride to swell.

"Black Boy and Still" which does not run
And "Barleycorn" quite near,
While not far off is "The One Tun"
Near which "The Grapes" appear

As "Shovel and Hoe" on shoulder borne,
"The Bee Hive" left behind,
"The Jolly Gardnerss" tired and worn,
Rest at "The New Inn" may find.

Within "The Castle" lives a king
Who like a man can't feel,
"Two Black Boys" near can dance and sing
Or turn a "Catherine Wheel".

A "Salutation" you may hear
When near the "Magpie and Stump"
You need not at "The Cannon" fear
Nor stay "The Drum" to thump.

"Three Pigeons" near "Magpie and Crown"
The "Sportsman" need not mark,
And "Watermans Hall" in yard far down
He'll find it not too dark.

My walk is over, my task is done,
I've been the signboards rounds,
I hope I've not fogotten one,
Though I have done, I'll be bound.

Sign of the times it is quite clear
I've followed them alright.
I think I've earned a glass of beer.
I'll have one now. Good night.

From Kew Bridge to Brentford End there were the following public houses:
Right hand side -
"Express",
"Lamb",
"Salutation",
"Fox and Hounds",
"Hand & Flower",
"Marquis of Gransby",
"Queens Arms",
"Barge Aground",
"Bull" ,
"Prince of Wales",
"The Drum",
"The Red Lion",
"Alexandra",
"Kings Arms",
"The Cannon",
"One Tun",
"Duke of Cambridge",
"The Feathers",
"The Bee Hive",
"Castle",
"Old Red Lion",
"Three Pigeons",
"Waterman’s Arms",
"The Ram" and
"Grand Junction Arms",


Left Hand side
"Star and Garter",
"Oxford and Cambridge",
"The Plough",
"Waggon and Horses",
"Royal Tar",
"Half Moon and Stars",
"The Brewery Tap",
"The One Star" (Royal Hotel),
"George the Fourth",
"Watermans Arms",
"Bunch of Grapes",
"Rising Sun",
"Sportsman",
"Black Boy and Still",
"Catherine Wheel",
"Magpie and Stump",
"Magpie and Crown",
"Two Black Boys",
"Six Bells",
"Magnet",
"Lord Nelson",
"Northumberland Arms",
"George and Dragon",
"Half Moon and Seven Stars",
"Angel", and
"Coach and Horses".