Riverside Pub in Fulham: The Crabtree Between Two Bridges

The Crabtree, on Rainville Road, Fulham, London W6 9HA, opens at 12 pm every day and closes at 11 pm Monday to Saturday and 10:30 pm on Sunday. The pub says it stands on the quietest and most picturesque stretch of the Thames between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, a stone's throw from Craven Cottage, with views of the river from its Thames Dining Room and terraces. It is dog friendly, family friendly and listed as a historic pub.

Most riverside pubs in west London sit by a bridge or a busy road, but the Crabtree describes its location as the quietest and most picturesque stretch between Hammersmith and Putney bridges. That claim is easy to test: Rainville Road is a side street, and the pub is a stone's throw from Craven Cottage, home of Fulham football club, so match days bring a different crowd.

The pub's own listing gives the postcode W6 9HA. Walk down Rainville Road towards the water and the pub is hard to miss, with its terraces facing the river.

There are two places to sit with a view. The Thames Dining Room is the indoor option and has the river outlook the pub advertises, so it suits a booked lunch or dinner when the weather is poor. The terraces are the outdoor option, and the pub's facilities list includes Waterside Pub, WiFi, disabled facilities and family-friendly seating, so the setting works for groups with different needs.

In warm months the pub also runs its Crabshack BBQ, which it says grills from spring to autumn when the sun shines. That means the barbecue is weather dependent and seasonal, so do not count on it on a cold October afternoon. On those days the dining room and the pub's seasonal menu, which it says is filled with pub classics and specials, are the safer choice for lunch or dinner.

The bar runs from 12 pm to 11 pm Monday to Saturday and from 12 pm to 10:30 pm on Sunday. Serving hours for food are shorter and vary by day, so check the day you plan to come. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday the kitchen serves from 12 pm to 10 pm, Monday from 12 pm to 9 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 9 pm, according to the pub's 2026 site.

That Sunday and Monday 9 pm close is the detail most visitors miss. If you plan a late dinner on either day, arrive by 8 pm to be safe. The bar stays open after the kitchen closes, so a pint on the terrace is still possible, but the food has gone. For a Sunday roast, go for the early afternoon rather than the evening.

The pub publishes an events page with a Tuesday pub quiz, and it also promotes Boat Race Day, a major occasion on this stretch of river, since the University Boat Race passes nearby. On such days the pub books up and the terrace fills. The pub also shows World Cup screenings, so the same rule applies: book through the Book a table button instead of hoping for a walk-in table.

On a normal weekday afternoon the pub is calmer, and that is the time to sit on the terrace with a drink and watch the river. If you want a seat on the water on Boat Race Day or a Fulham home match, arrive early and be prepared to share. The pub also takes private hire and functions, if you are planning a larger gathering.

The seasons decide where you sit. From spring to autumn, when the pub says the Crabshack BBQ grills in the sun, the terraces are the place to be and the dining room is the fallback if the weather turns. In winter the order flips: the Thames Dining Room gives you the river outlook without the cold, and the terraces are for a quick drink only if the sky is clear.

Whichever you choose, the kitchen serves the same seasonal menu in both spaces, so you are not giving up the food by sitting inside. Tuesday is the night of the pub quiz, which the pub highlights on its events page, so a Tuesday evening is livelier than a Monday or Wednesday, and worth avoiding if you want a quiet table by the window.

The Crabtree lists Dog Friendly and Family Friendly among its facilities, together with disabled facilities and WiFi. That makes it the easier choice for a group with children or a dog, compared with The Grapes in Limehouse, which admits over-18s only. For a riverside walk with a dog along the Thames path, the terraces are a natural stop, and the pub's historic setting gives the visit some character.

Booking is straightforward through the website, and the pub also takes gift cards and sign-ups for news. Rainville Road is a side street leading down to the river, so the last stretch of the journey is a short walk on foot.

After lunch, walk the river. The stretch between Hammersmith Bridge and Putney Bridge is one of the calmer parts of the London Thames path, with the river wide and the bank lined with trees. Craven Cottage is a stone's throw from the pub, according to the pub, and the path continues towards Putney, so you can plan a loop of an hour or two before returning for a final drink.

If the Crabtree is full or you want a second stop, The Dove in Hammersmith is another Thames pub, a few minutes from Hammersmith Bridge. It has a small terrace of its own and a famous tiny bar room, and its opening hours on the website run to 11 pm on weekdays, which makes it a natural next stop after an afternoon at the Crabtree.

The Crabtree is on Rainville Road, Fulham, London W6 9HA. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 12 pm to 11 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 10:30 pm. Its website is thecrabtreew6.co.uk, which lists menus, events, private hire and gift cards, and the pub is described there as a historic, waterside pub.

Book ahead for Sunday lunch, Boat Race Day and Fulham home matches. Bring a dog, since the pub lists itself as dog friendly. Expect the barbecue only when the weather is good, and keep the kitchen's earlier close on Sunday and Monday in mind when planning dinner.