please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Lovely pints - Tanglefoot - after popping in a few times and it not being available. Quite busy, but when the staff served you, they were were very efficient and polite. Had to stay for another...
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Visited for the first time last night and have to say that our experience was a lot more positive than the previous posters.
Five of us eating and the food was fine, hot, and the burgers particularly good.
The menu does say that all meals are freshly prepared and might take a bit longer than normal. So, we were aware of that, but to be honest, didn't take that long.
Staff were very friendly and efficient so no complaints there.
Decent selection of Badger ales - First Gold and Tanglefoot on tap (sadly the Pickled Partridge was off) and loads of others in bottles, plus Sussex Bitter. Tried all three beers on tap and all were well kept.
Beer was about �3.80 a pint, so not the cheapest. Ditto wine, which was about �17 for a bottle of red, but very nice.
Main courses were �11-�12 each, so more expensive than your average pub grub, and I could've happily eaten more, although portion sizes seemed fine for everyone else.
So, yep, good food, booze and service. Bit more expensive than I would normally pay for pub grub, but I guess that's the going rate round the corner from Hampton Court Palace.
And if you're looking for live sport, didn't seem to be any TVs in the pub, so I guess go elsewhere for that.
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Called in yesterday lunch time,It was quiet for a bank holiday but just as well because service was very very slow.The beer was not too good.Staff training would be advisable.
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Of the pubs around East Molesey, I'd recommend the Kings Arms. It does get busy on Sunday lunchtimes(don't most places), but I've always found the food done to a competent level - not cold and freshly prepared. Good range of Badger beers and great character.
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Probably the worst pub meal ever. Served cold and inedible.
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Lovely pub to go to if you just want to have a drink.
We ate there today though - all meals (roasts, burgers) were cold. We sent them back and when they reappeared they were still cold - so disappointing and would never go back there to eat. Great location but just don't go there for a meal!
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Ate here again tonight. Wasn't at all busy but the service was really slow. Food cold again just like last time, also really average boardering on grim. Tartare sauce with a (dry and bland) lamb burger is odd in my book. The wine was bad and the pudding awful. Great decor though.
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Fantastic to see Sarah and Simon really turn this pub around in the 20 months since they took it over. A really excellent range of Hall & Woodhouse ales and really good food.
Rightful winners of the Great British Pub Awards 'Best Newcomers in the South East' and more recently 'Best Newcomers' by Hall & Woodhouse.
Let's wish them all the best of luck with their new venture and gastro pub, The Bell at Hampton.
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Well I think this is a great pub
It's hard to find a place that sells better beer! always friendly people working behind the bar.
The pub gets very busy especially on bank holidays and sundays and its not uncommon to have people queing up for tables. Although I havn't eaten here, the food always looks very good coming out.
All I can say is keep it up
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Went in here after a walk in Bushy Park on New Years Day, had always wanted to try it. Great location, cute on the inside but terrible service and cramped conditions. Food was made from good quality ingredients but was stone cold. Would try it agian though.
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This public house could be so much better. We used to visit it regularly a few years ago but our visits have tailed off over time after repeated disappointments. Because of its position it will always attract 'tourists' from the palace and 'passing visitors' to the area from Bushy park. Neither of these groups are 'regulars' and they both require specialised customer service skills.Time and again I have sat at the bar and observed the embarrassing silences, the misunderstandings and general mixed messages between the bar staff and customers. Yes believe it or not visiting tourists will want to ask about the different beers and non regulars won't automatically know that you don't sell the usual range of marketed beers (Badger ales and Hoffbrau lager only) - It doesn't mean they have to be regarded with disdain or a grunted reply - just offer the CUSTOMER some SERVICE!!
All in all, the environment is rustic, stylish and historic, the actual product (beer) is nice, the food isn't a disaster (but could be better) - it is just such a shame that the atmosphere, which is linked in to the quality of service, is so lacking. This review is meant to serve as constructive criticism because in essence I do like the place - with just a little tweaking and leadership from the front this pub could be far better.
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Confused by oldskool47's comments about the current couple running the King's. They work hard at making a success of a good pub that's hampered by its being on the "wrong" side of the Palace. The pubs over the river and nearer the station have an easier time of it.
The atmosphere in the King's is much friendlier than the rather clanish Albion or the clean but clinical Prince of Wales, as for Cloud 9, I'm amazed that someone who posts on this site would darken the doors of such a ponced up wine bar.
The beer is better than it has been in the past and both the staff and regulars are friendly and welcoming.
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What a splendid experience, a full range of Badger ales, great friendly service in a great location. Well worth a visit.
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Mightykite your experience of the Kings Arms really does not suprise me at all.... Since the current opertators (yes operators, not owners) took over in August 2008 this charming pub-hotel been seen a steady decline. Its such a shame as it used you be such a pleasant place to enjoy a pint of Tangle or badger and the food used to be second to none! Now the ale is well, if they have even got any in stock, awful. Whoever looks after it clearly needs some more training! And as for the food hahaha the last comment says it all!
According to the current "Operators" the Hotel is just like a posh Travel Lodge! This is there main downfall.... Its not if you treat it like this is will become a Travel Lodge..... And that im afraid is what they are turning it into!
If your looking for a good pint/goodfood/accomodation this is not the place to be looking....
Goodpint- The Prince Of Wales (Hampton Court Parade)
Goodfood- Cloud 9 (Hampton Court Parade)
Accommodation- The Mitre ( Hampton Court)
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We went here today (27th Dec) so very busy but a nice atmosphere altogether. We ordered a Sunday roast (beef) which was excellent, but sadly accompanied by four disappointing "vegetarian wellingtons". What a joke!! Do they think that if you aren't eating meat then you are still willing to pay �8.25 for a tiny pastry with courgettes??!?!! CHEF - please take note and feed people proper sized meals, especially when you are charging through the nose! Do you honestly work in a kitchen where you send out dishes for adults with 40% smaller portions than dishes also going to the same table? This on top of the fact there was no salad left so substituted by 8 fried slices of courgettes.
The family opposite us complained of terrible soup, waiting time and food coming at different times - they took their two children and left without paying. Also, mulled wine "wasn't ready" the whole time we were there (2 hours).
And my final moan - why don't the serving staff speak to each other? We were asked if "everything was OK" about 8 times including twice after paying the bill!
All in all an ok pub, with friendly enough staff but lacking in organisation or enough food! A nice lunch out despite every effort by the King's Arms to thwart us!
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Splendid building immaculately and recently restored in Regency ale house style, it has Badger brewery's Tanglefoot and friendly staff. Dreadful parking, thronged with tourists during summer lunchtimes and offside flankers when there's rugby at Twickenham, but still worth it. Food unresearched.
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Really nice and warm atmosphere, and we sat at the bar enjoying the pretty good range of Badger beers. It was Sunday lunch so the staff were busy, and I did note the owner was quite stressed, but seemed a nice chap. He was fielding a fair few silly questions from passing tourists, so I'll give him a gold star for patience. Some huge tables added to the olde-worldly atmos, but not to the space in the main bar which was limited. Nice fire.
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We didn't get a very friendly reception when we turned up for the Daily Telegraph Promtional 2 for 1 meal offer - because we had not phoned ahead; then he agreed but rather ungraciously - so we didn't bother & went elsewhere.
Otherwise there are some nice beers & a lovely log fire.
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Probably the rudest, most arrogant and irrational proprietor we have ever come across. There are plenty of other establishments in the area that will give you a less frosty welcome, give them your patronage instead.
anonymous - 2 Dec 2007 22:36 |
It's not that bad. Comfortable surroundings though they could make a lot more space by getting rid of those sofas. There's room for all of six people to sit in a big chunk of the bar, the rest of it take up with sofa.
Badger beer in good condition. Can't speak for the food but instinct suggests it's going to be identikit faux gastropub.
Oh and they were perfectly friendly and helpful to a couple of lost Americans.
Probably the best stop on this busy ratrun between Heathrow and Kingston
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The guy that runs the bar is the rudest/snootiest I have ever come across. Also the drinks prices are very high. You have been warned.
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LOOK CAN THE OWNERS OF THIS DIVE STOP REMOVING THE REAL PEOPLES COMMENTS AND ADDING THERE OWN INSTEAD OF ACTING UPON WHATS SAID. THIS WILL BE REMOVED AS THEY WONT LIKE THE TRUTH...NO ORGANISATION RUDE STAFF FOOD THATS COLD AND ROOMS TO RENT THAT HAVENT BEEN FINISHED PROPLEY WITH DAMP UP THE WALLS AT EXTORTIONATE RATES...
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Was in the area visiting friends and popped in for a beer on sunday. Ended up having sunday lunch that was superb. Went back to the bar for more drinks and was served by the chef! Fantastic to see the staff multy tasking and he was very smily and chatty with customers he shud be proud of the food he is serving good on him. Plus good not to see a skinny chef ha ha .
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Hadn't been here for ages but good refurb, looks really good inside, the tourists are going to love it here. Service bit slow but friendly and I will pop in here again.
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Very nice paint job inside, very cozy feel to it now! menu is alot better than before.
much much better 7/10
anonymous - 16 Apr 2007 18:20 |
Beer good,service good, has somebody been reading these comments and acted upon them, certainly seems like it! keep up the good work!
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Great refurb.
Had a lovely meal in relaxing in front of the open log fire
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Finally managed to get back into the kings arms after it refurbishment!
All I can is well done!! It is still the wonderful warm open log fire place that we love to spend our time at.
Tried the new menu and you can really taste the difference in the freshly cooked food. great.
I would recommend this to all my family and friends as it is the perfect place to meet up and have a relaxing evening or a place to rest after visiting the palace.
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The Kings Arms has just reopened nice decor but a bit dark.The Pub now has Toilets! Good Real Ale,Same rude unhelpfull staff.You can still be ignored when you are the only customer waiting!
anonymous - 19 Nov 2006 11:36 |
Sort out the toilets!!!! It may be next to Hampton Court Palace but that doesnt mean the W.C. has to be as it was when Henry VIII lived there.
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Despite having several pump clips on display there was no ale on the day of visit (a Bank Holiday Sunday). May return if I'm in the area and they do actually have beer.
anonymous - 28 Aug 2006 16:48 |
THE Kings Arms in the last few years has gone down hill badly.Dispite going out to tenancy a few years back it is still thought of as a tourist pub.Unfotunatly the tourists haven't gone there for meny years and successive managers don't seem to have noticed! The service can be painfully slow,if you can get served at all.The beer is generaly good but it can be dire.Good for a chat with the regulars who are generally frendly if there are any in,if not take a book and a torch because they keep turning the lights down!
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Really handy for Hampton Court Palace, the Kings Arms is a treat of a pub in SW London. We ordered some food on a Saturday lunchtime and it came in record time... good quality too. Nice selection of beers, I had the HB Export while my friend went for the Tanglefoot. Take a trip to Hampton Court, do a mini crawl, finish here and relax until last orders in the comfy armchairs.
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Was this the pub that used to be the Ferryboat? If so I used to DJ at Henry's Palace over ther road (no longer there) and went in the FB for a few jars sometimes - much nicer than streets of london.
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I have to say that I absolutely love this pub!
My company sent me to your beautiful area of the world on business about a year ago and I was eager to get out and see what Surrey had to offer. I happened into The Kings Arms my second night in the UK. It has become my favorite haunt.
Sure, the pub can have an off night now and again, but on the whole I have never been dissatisfied by the service or the beer!
The food is the prototypical pub food. What really makes this pub the one that I prefer though is the clientele! In the year I have been coming to the UK on business, I have made some good friends through chatting with people at The Kings Arms. Sure, there is an off night when there is practically nobody in, but most every night, you can find an interesting group of friendly people here.
I now am renting a house in Thames Ditton and have to walk past four other pubs to get to this one, bit I do it gladly because I think it is that much better than the others.
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Worst service I've ever had. We were a party of 5 on a sunday lunch - spent about �100 between us. The pub wasn't particularly busy (24.04.05), yet my meal came a full 30 minutes after everyone elses (and we all ordered the same sunday lunch).
When I told the manager I wanted to complain he said "and so what?"! He then made me feel very embarassed for complaining, and wasn't remotely apologetic - telling me it was a busy sunday and I should expect food to be delayed. By half an hour!
Appalling attitude. It is service like this that gives English pubs a bad name.
We all left and went to a neighbouring bar to spend the next four hours and our money.
I will certainly warn you off this pub!
NB - was also dark and smokey and the meat on the sunday lunch was very fatty!
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Ok pub with reasonable beer. Made better by proximity to bushy park. Staff with scabby fingers could learn some humility though.
anonymous - 20 Jan 2005 10:25 |
First time visitor last w/e; impressed; lovely ambiance, beer in VERY good nick, nice fires, baby welcome at lunchtime in n/s room; nice Sunday roast (bit stingy on the meat but great veg). Worth a detour.
anonymous - 19 Jan 2005 10:21 |
WOW, this pub is awesome, didn't think they made them like this anymore. Food, beer, conversation. Whatever you want, It's at The Kings Arms. Go there today, It's fantastic!!!!!
anonymous - 18 Dec 2004 13:29 |
This is by far the best pub I have ever been to. Friendly helpful staff, reasonably priced food, great range of real ales and a nice relaxed warm character. There is so much space and great seating that you can't fail to find somewhere nice to sit. The regulars are all friendly and it has an atmosphere that just makes you want to stay so much longer than you had planned to. Keep it up Kings Arms, if only there were more pubs like this.
anonymous - 18 Dec 2004 13:25 |
OK I'll admit a degree of bias here as Brian and Jen are good friends but I used to drink here from time to time before they took over and things have only looked up since - this is a LOVELY pub with plenty of character, a nice "locals vs tourists" balance, friendly staff and the best pint of Tanglefoot I have EVER tasted (ale snobs please take note - a 100% rating after the last Cask Marque inspection). If I didn't live on the other side of London I'd be in here a lot more often.
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This used to be a really nice pub, full of character. Among other unusual features, it had a stained glass panel above the bar featuring tudor coats of arms and a motto (I can't remember the exact details). I presume the stained glass wasn't centuries old, but it gave the impression of being so.
I used to take foreign visitors there and have known them to remark years later as to its unique character. No longer though. It has had a makeover and the stained glass replaced with bright uplighting. It is now more like an all bar one than the historic pub it used to be.
If you like your pubs to feel like they have just come off an interior designer's drawing board, you will like the new King's Arms. Those who remember the old one can only move on.
Gordon - 9 Jul 2004 00:24 |
Nice enough pub, good beers. Gets very, very quiet in there later in the evening - there can't be many locals nearby and the tourists have naffed off back to London by then. Still, a surprise to find it's a nice gaff and not some tacky tourist hell hole.
ElDickster - 15 Jun 2004 21:24 |
Nice venue....but probably the worst pub food I have ever had.
We were told it was because there was new chef in the kitchen at the time.....feeble excuse
Lawrence - 7 Feb 2004 18:40 |
Very decent pub. Good beer selection, at a decent price for where the pub is located. Function room upstairs useful for, well, functions. Very pleasant for post Hampton Court tour or pre-Bushy Park wander about. Station is 10-15 minutes walk and parking is difficult.
Well worth a visit.
anonymous - 7 Jan 2004 17:13 |
This was by far the best pub we visited on our trip to England. The beer was excellent, the food tasty, and the people were wonderful. Jenny and Ian are doing a super job managing the pub and making everyone feel at home. We give it a "10".
Bill & Ginny - 22 Apr 2003 11:13 |
The beer in this pub is excellent - well worth a visit for the well kept pint of Badger. Used to serve a pint called Black Adder which was lethal. Right next to Hampton Court as well.
Mike - 19 Mar 2003 15:32 |
