The Crown Rivers, Heathrow Terminal 5 Pub Review

The Crown Rivers, Heathrow Airport

Posted on 28. Sep, 2010 by Robert Gale in Pubs

The Crown Rivers, Heathrow Terminal 5

The Crown Rivers is one of two JD Wetherspoons operated pubs in the Terminal 5 departure lounge. The other is a small ‘Express’ pub located by B Gates – a short ride away on the airport train.

Why is it called The Crown Rivers?

The pub takes its name from two royal rivers, Longford River and The Duke of Northumberland’s River. When Heathrow airport was constructed, the rivers had to be diverted and they were altered again during the construction of Terminal 5.

According to the JD Wetherspoon website, “Longford River (as it is now known) was dug for King Charles I, in the early 17th century, to improve the water supply at Hampton Court. It became known as the ‘King’s River’; by the mid 19th century, it was known as ‘The Queen’s or Cardinal’s River’. The Duke of Northumberland’s River is also an artificial waterway. He purchased it from King James I in the 1630s. The river was probably built in the 15th or 16th century, to power the water mill at Isleworth.”

The Pub

The pub is split into two halves. One half is much smaller than the other and contains a small bar and seating, the other is larger and contains more seating. The two times that I have been there it has been busy but I’ve managed to get a seat. If you are just drinking and there isn’t any seating available, the staff don’t seem to mind you sitting on nearby airport seating.

The Crown Rivers, Heathrow Airport Terminal 5

The Beer

The selection of beers is good although smaller than a standard JD Wetherspoon. There are usually 2 or 3 ales available including a house beer called The Crown Rivers which is brewed by the Loddon Brewery. Due to the location of the pub and the fact that a month’s rent for the pub can cost as much as a year’s rent elsewhere in the country, the beer is more expensive. That said, there aren’t that many other places to drink in T5 (apart from The 5 Tuns which is landside).

Venue Location

The Crown Rivers

Airside, Terminal 5

Heathrow Airport

TW6 2GA

Tel: 020 8283 6208

twb.im/crownrivers

View on Google Street View

Robert Gale (Twitter: @awv)

Beer Taster, Pub Attendee, Photo Taker

Robert Gale likes beer, pubs and beer festivals. He also likes to take photos of beer, pubs and beer festivals. Most weekends of the year you can find him travelling around the UK (and sometimes beyond) photographing and reviewing good quality pubs and beer festivals. He also has a day job in the form of a web developer for Ozum.