Ye White Hart

Barnes has a villagey feel that is far from the madding crowd. Indeed, its premier riverside offering, Ye White Hart, feels like a set from a Thomas Hardy adaptation. Hardy may not have drunk here, but Holst, Sheridan, Rattigan and Marc Bolan have all knocked one back over the 300-odd years a pub has stood on this site. Formerly a Masonic lodge, its tall columns and drapes inject a touch of grandeur, while open fires provide a cosy focal point. A wooden balcony, rammed on Boat Race day, also gets busy whenever the sun blinks through; at such times, tables lining the river and a barbecue in the garden are at a premium. It’s a Young’s house, so expect Bombardier and Waggledance – the latter will surely get you in the mood for the Thursday salsa classes held upstairs.