please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Sussex Arms is still one of my favourite pubs in London. It was busy as usual on our Wednesday evening visit. Quiz night was on. So, a number of tables were reserved. Once the quiz people arrived, we were relegated to the garden. But there are patio heaters to keep you warm. The loyalty card offered by this chain is still a good feature. Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter is a regular. So is their own Big Smoke Underworld. Other Big Smoke ales were Cosmic Dawn & Western Sun. Guests were Five Points Railway Porter, Gloucester Dockside Dark, Buxton Low Tor, Flying Monk Hoptimistic Monk, Fuller's Last Drop, Caveman Strawberry Milkshake IPA, Mad Squirrel Revolution, Ascot Gold Cup & Manchester Brewing Company Christopher Columbus Pale. There are also still 6 real ciders on handpull - Lilley's Mango Cider, Seacider Ginger Bread Infused Cider & Lemon Meringue Pie, Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, Barbourne Major Jane & Ross-on-Wye Michelin/Dabinett. Still a decent pub. But I may avoid quiz night next time.
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The Sussex Arms still gets my vote as one of the best pubs in London. We were here on Thursday and both the inside and the large garden at the rear were busy when we arrived. It actually got busier throughout the evening, which made service slower than usual. Ales on when I arrived were Mad Squirrel London Porter, Big Smoke Dark Wave, Bedlam Benchmark, Beatniks Republic Leather Soul, Windsor & Eton Eton Boatman, DBC Dorset Knob, West Berkshire Maharaja IPA, Thornbridge Honey Dew Melon, Arbor Piccolina, Gloucester No Coffee No Workee, Burning Sky Aurora & Thameside White Swan. Whilst I started on the cider, some of the ales we initially ordered in our group were cloudy and well past their best. Whether they were having issues with the beer quality or whether it was the volume they were getting through, I don't know. But beers were changing at a rapid rate. By the time we left, 7 ales had been poured through - Five Points Pale, Pig & Porter Hibiscus Pale Too Many Dicks On the Dancefloor, Welton's It's Time For A Hoedown, Kent Cobnut, Oakham Elephant In The Whirlpool, Windsor & Eton British Champion's Day Ale & Wild Weather Storm In A Teacup. Beer quality certainly improved as the evening wore on. Ciders were Ascension Sonic Titan, Sandford Orchards Devon Mist, Abrahall's Thundering Molly, Cotswold Cider Company Freak Show, Seacider White Peach & Cornwall Cider Company Apple Slayer. Thursday is steak night. So we took advantage of a steak deal which included a pint. Don't forget to get your stamps too. Get every 10th pint free. Another good evening in the Sussex Arms.
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I was in the Sussex Arms last night after visiting a couple of times during the last year. It was rather busy, with very limited seating. But the ale and cider range were as good as ever. Ales were Saltaire Blonde, Atom Pale Ale, Icknield Malt, Tiny Rebel Cwtch, Allendale Tar Bar'l, Hop Stuff Oatmeal Stout, Big Smoke Maple & Pecan Brown Ale, Harbour Amber Ale & White Horse Black Beauty. Park Brewery Killcat Pale came on whilst I was there. Ciders were Orchard Pig Juggler, Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, Biddenden Dry, Medium & Red Love & Celtic Marches Abrahalls AM. Service was good, despite it being a struggle to get to the bar. I noted that in relation to the previous comment, the food hygiene rating is now 4. I also overheard a conversation between a group of regulars, who were saying that the Albert in Kingston is the 4th pub in this small chain. So I'll have to get back there soon. The Sussex Arms is still one of the best pubs in London.
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Currently has the excellent Biddenden cider on. AFAIK that makes it one of two pubs in London to stock Biddies, the other being the Claret at Addiscombe which always has it.
A brilliant pub in many ways, but I wish they would get rid of the canned muzak.
The steak dinner with a pint for £12 on Thursdays is a good deal - my steak was substantial and tasty.
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Currently has the excellent Biddenden cider on. AFAIK that makes it one of two pubs in London to stock Biddies, the other being the Claret at Addiscombe which always has it.
A brilliant pub in many ways, but I wish they would get rid of the canned muzak.
The steak dinner with a pint for £12 on Thursdays is a good deal - my steak was substantial and tasty.
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A scruffy pub that has many different beers and ciders,far too many to keep in good condition, my first pint was cloudy ,vinegary and clearly undrinkable after drawing this to the attention of the server two others behind the bar chipped in wondering how much I knew about Cronx beers,well I've tried enough and I can walk to the brewery from home. I offered to buy all three a pint of this if they would drink the lot,this was refused -i cannot imagine why. If you have to bother with this pub the emphasis is on high gravity beers and ciders. It just has to be a zero.
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I have to say that since new management has taken over there has been a dramatic improvement to the pub as it was slowly declining from what it once was. The loos have been sorted out, the beer range is more coherent and organised in a more logical manner.
The one thing I still don't understand though is this - the pub currently has a zero rating for hygiene at the last inspection in May last year
http://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/en-GB/353389/The-Sussex-Arms-Twickenham
I don't understand why this hasn't been rectified and a re-inspection taking place because until it has I wouldn't feel comfortable about eating there.
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I still like the Sussex Arms and its sister pubs the Antelope and the Express Tavern. I hadn't been to the Sussex Arms for almost 3 years and nothing much has changed, apart from maybe the food prices. We were planning to have one of the pies. But at £14, we elected not to. Beer prices were still reasonable though. On venturing early on a Tuesday evening, it was fairly busy. A small group were having what looked like an office party in the back room, whilst the main bar was reasonably busy too. I chose a table next to the pub's little kitten, who was on a shelf! Not all handpulls were in use on arrival. The ale selection was Big Smoke Electric Eye, Saltaire Challenger Special & Raspberry Blonde, Twickenham Sundancer, Grandstand, Milk Stout & Vanilla Stout & Mondo James Brown Ale. Before long, 5 new beers were pulled through - Big Smoke IPA & Underworld Milk Stout, Thames Side White Swan Pale, Triple fff Comfortably Numb & Vale GMT. There appeared to be many more local brewers than I remember from previous visits. There are some interesting keg options too. Ciders were Millwhites Apples & Pears & Hedgelayer, Abrahalls Dry, Lilleys Mango Cider, Vachery Farm Guildford Dancing Juice & Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon. Bar staff (all male) were friendly enough and were serving people in order. They still do the deal where you buy 9 pints and get the 10th one free. Still one of London's best pubs.
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Going downhill.
Number of active handpumps reducing, quality of kept beer falling. Sunny evenings and it is no longer packed, so customers are noticing and voting with their feet. Attracting a different type of customer now, partially encouraged by the equal opportunity employment policy with 6 out of 6 members of staff being young ladies the last time I visited, so slightly more tattooed lager swilling blokes now sitting round the bar.
If you preferred it the way it was, the way it transformed itself and became a success, then walk ten mins to the Rifleman.
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Nearly confusing in its architecture but this is a cosy real ale-focussed pub which is a sister gig to the Antelope in Surbiton - whence cometh my beer, in this case Big Smoke Electric Eye. Tiling and the rest of it is a decorative marvel although I was quite content to sit on the leather counches and have my beer while people wandered in over the long afternoon in the part of Twickenham that is away from the centre with its 'spoons and for all I know Arsenal fans. The bar staff are a double act. There was a dog which was made a fuss of by everyone. This is good for in a bad pub the dog makes threatening gestures at you instead, and that on this particular afternoon was only the purlieu of a gentleman (I use the term very loosely) near the Goat who made monkey gestures at me to force me off the pavement. When I reached the Sussex Arms I found what I had suspected, that not everypony in Twickenham is aggressive and some are actually knowledgeable about the beer.
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Great selection of beers, even the lagers are esoteric. Good atmosphere and charming cosy decor. However, let down by frequently filthy glasses and bar staff who, although perfectly pleasant, habitually serve the closest person to them on finishing with another customer leaving those who may have been standing at the bar for far longer (but are less vocal) ignored. Annoying in a pub which otherwise deserves to be busy for its plus points. The music played is a great mix of genres but why on earth during a quiet mid-week the owner frequently feels an urge to turn it up to conversation drowning levels in the back room when people were sitting there because it's a good place to have a chat is beyond me. A decent enough pub which could be great but frustratingly let down by faults which would be easy to fix if the owners cared to do so.
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Friendly pub with very, very impressive range of ales (local and from far away) and ciders on hand-pumps. Wide range of hot food options including their famous pies which are to die for! The toilets aren't great, but the main whinge would be that there are lots of small round tables and high stools but nothing that's ideal for eating at!
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MillHouse (sic), I think the reason that the Sussex had so few beers on when I visited was the fact that the Twickenham Beer Festival was on and they possibly thought that it result in a loss of trade. My view that the Sussex is tatty was my opinion and I understand that some people live in a pig sty. As for your mathematical equation on the cost of a pint it ONLY works out IF a customer returns and drinks nine pints,I probably won't. It could well be the best pub in the area but I haven't visited all of them,have you?
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A decent pub with six real ales and six ciders. I expected more real ales. The sevice was excellent, the beer was very good,we were handed a reward card,buy nine get one free. The pub is tatty at the edges and the photos that i've seen are misleading. An easy 8/10 with potential, i'm just a bit miffed over just six beers.
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Great variety of real ales but neither I, nor my wife or sister could find one that we actually liked! We only go in occasionally but the ales change and taste different each time. Do not seem to have a basic well-known/liked beer. Nice pub but not one I could spend a whole evening in. Great if you like tasting new and unusual beers or ciders and a vast improvement on what it was like years ago.
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I've been gearing up to go to The Sussex Arms ever since it reopened as a real ale emporium! I was keen to see whether it lived up to the hype and the answer to that question was a resounding YES!!!
I had a pint of rich indulgent porter and an IPA. Can't remember what brewery's they came from as was well on my way by then but I do know that they were from micros. Both were absolutely excellent too!
Pub itself with it's understated decor looks like a proper boozer and the pub was very busy however, service was still prompt.
Absolutely huge garden which was thronging with punters enjoying one of the few remaining warm evenings before autumn sets in.
It is very rare for me to give a place full marks however, the Sussex deserves it.
10/10
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this pub is NOT A WINE BAR!! site manager PLEASE correct the reference..
This pub is the only local AFAIK that has up to TWENTY different ales on tap at one time, also cider and perry..
The only 'complaint' is that they change the whole 'line up ' too often...
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What happened to this pub? It was a pleasure to go there and try the ales, meet friends,... The staff was always pleasant and friendly.
Now it is totally different since the manager and his partner left. They were running the place very well.
Now the staff is not very friendly, they look dirty apart from one staff member who has been there for a long time.
when we went to the pub yesterday, the staff spent their time eating and drinking beer behind the bar. The girl who served us was abrupt, not smiling,...
It looks like we will need to find a new venue in Twickenham to go for a beer.
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After a long stroll from Harlington Corner, this place was just what was required. A big choice of ales and ciders, many seats and some good pies.
Wish it was closer to my house !
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I like this pub a lot although gets very busy at the weekends. Although the beer range is wide, it is still often hard to identify a decent pint of brown regular strength best bitter in amongst all the 5pc plus stuff, golden ales and porters. Haven't really found the bar staff to be that knowledgeable about the ales on the whole.
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Once upon a time, pubs were places where the people provided the entertainment - not fruit machines, not large screen TVs, but people. Perhaps some live music, a game of shove ha'penny, a pint or three and lively conversation. Once upon a time has come again at the Sussex Arms.
This pub, just off Twickenham Green harks back to the old days. There are up to 12 (I think) real ales on offer and six real ciders. The ales vary constantly and there is no one 'regular' ale. Just a different selection, even from tiny microbreweries, every day. All draught beer and cider is (as of this writing) £3.50 a pint and they operate a superb loyalty card scheme. Buy 9 beers, get the 10th for free. I use mine regularly.
The food is good, though slightly pricey. The pies are made by AJ and are usually excellent, though the last couple I've had were slightly less good than usually (slightly over cooked meat and pastry).
The atmosphere is lovely. It is an old-fashioned pub - no posh gastro seating here. A long bar displays the plethora of ales on offer and also hides the record player (yep, vinyl) that supplies any recorded (as opposed to live) music. There is a large, decently tended garden.
There is live music many evenings. Again, like with the beer, there is something for (nearly) every taste. I attend with friends every second Monday for the Sessioneers (yep, not a great name, but you get the jist) - acoustic rock, folk, rock n roll and the like. You can also find Irish music, bluegrass, blues - whatever (older) music takes your fancy (I've never seen hip hop or the like, thankfully).
The clientèle varies from the stereotypical real ale drinker (beardy, male, older - including a guy who is the spit of Walder Frey from Game of Thrones) through to younger families and singles.
All in all, a pub I thoroughly recommend.
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The food prices have gone up significantly. Cider is as good as ever.
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What a strange person - hell hole? It's like the one bad comment with no explanation...very fishy.
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Wow will not be going back to this hell hole.
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No sign of any imminent change in what I though was a near-classic London opubs, depsite all the usual touches normally found in N1. I thought the pub was very comfortable, friendly, and with an outsanding beer range. The cider on handpump was superb and cheap(ish) as well.
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Hi there,Just wanted to clear up any misconceptions before the chinese wispers start to compound into more rumours about the Sussex.You will all be happy to know that the pub wont be closing down anytime soon,not quite sure where that rumour came from?......but
What is correct though, there will be a change of Management in the near future.Myself(Pete) and my better half Ash will be moving on come mid July this year.After 2 years of building up this lovely Pub we are taking a short break from pub management and heading off on a well earned extended holiday,after this we will be heading back to the UK and will be looking at getting stuck into another challenge,unfortunately we wont be heading back to The Sussex.
The company who leases this pub are very happy with what we have done to the place, and we are told are not looking at changing anything.As with any change of management there will always be a slight difference in style but the intention is not to mess with a good thing and myself and Ash hope you all give the new Manager/s some time to adjust to the new surroundings.
We will also be saying goodbye to Nick the Kiwi and Stormy the Kiwi who are both headed back to the southern hemisphere,but apart from these top blokes,the rest of the staff will all be here and as awesome as ever.
Ash and I have had an amazing time here at The Sussex Arms,we have seen all our ideas of what a good pub should be realised,had the pleasure of having an great bunch of locals and regulars and been fortunate to have the best staff we could have hoped for…that’s what makes a great pub!....and possibly all the ale and cider….and the pies….and the roasts…..and the vinyl!
So we hope that clears everything up,we intend to have a beer with as many of you as possible before we move on,we will miss this place,but life moves on ………… In the meantime though,see you all down here soon for an ale or two,and long may the Sussex Arms reign!..
Pete & Ashxx00
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Cracking pub. Great (cask conditioned) beer of a craft nature, and cider. Most impressed!
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Finally made my first visit to the Sussex Arms last night, when they were being presented with the Cider Pub of the Year award. They have a fine selection of ales, ciders and perries. During my visit last night, they had Weltons Triple Crown, Moor Revival Pale Ale, Twickenham Sundancer, Marble Ginger, Boggart Rum Porter, Andwell Crouch Hold Engage, Derventio Et Tu Brutus, Wharfebank VPA, Tiny Rebel Cwtch, Irving Frigate & Stonehenge Great Bustard. For ciders, they had Gwatkin Golden Valley, Upper House Farm Dry, Abrahalls AD Dry, Dewchurch Traditional Still Cider & Millwhites Rum Cask. Perries were Lilleys Bee Sting & Hartlands Farmhouse. The pub itself is fairly pleasant with no distractions from TVs or fruit/games machines. Music is played. But conversation is very much the order of the day. Has a mix of loyal locals and occasional visitors like myself and welcomes families and dogs. We sampled one of the pies too which was reasonably good value and quite filling. It's rare that I award a 9/10 for a pub. But this one certainly qualifies and has become one of my favourite pubs in London after only one visit.
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Fabulous pub, far removed from its 60s incarnation as a bog-standard Charrington house. Great range of beers, friendly staff, good atmosphere - and a loyalty card scheme, giving you a free pint after nine stamps! Suffice to say I called in for "just the one" and stayed for several, even though I had to get back to Walthamstow. I'll be back!
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This is a great pub and we are also lucky that it is our local. When we went this Friday, we were a bit disappointed, not by the pub or the staff but by some people who do not have any respect for others. It seems that they are part of the Thamesians RFU and they are loud. They also bring their dogs who don't stop barking, pushchairs. It really put our friends off and also us as we couldn't really speak.
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As an update to my previous comment regarding dogs, all credit to The Sussex for their new dog policy - fairly worded and shows they listen to comments online and in person to their staff. (Basically they request that dogs are kept on leads - and that's all I was hoping for)
We had another lovely night in here just before the recent snow and it was again fantastic, sitting right by the fire - the best seat in the house. I had pints of Timorous Beastie from the Strathaven Brewery - delightful. Being in the same ownership as the Fox, they both hold the distinction of being the cheapest pubs in Twickenham (barring the Wetherspoon abomination).
The Sussex deserves its high BITE rating, as it has the "formula" just right.
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I have not been in the Sussex Arms much since my student heyday in the mid 90’s, but on my most recent visit over Christmas, I surprised to find that the pub was totally different from the ghost town it once was. It is now a fantastic pub for ales, cider and a nice atmosphere. The bar is packed with seats and the back room is not taken up with a pool table, even if the toilets were a little smelly. There was some live music which was loud enough to hear but not loud enough so you had to shout at the person next to you just to be heard. Highly recommended and well worth a visit.
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Couldnt agree more with Lipster; fabulous pub with great beers, food and the staff are brilliant, really engaged and look like they enjoy their work unlike so many in the industry.
I dont mind the dogs, the only downside to me are the regular "banquette hoggers"; territorial types who take up all the seating often 3 of them sitting 4 feet apart taking up to 4 tables, glaring and daring you to try and sit down!
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I've taken my time before adding a review on the Sussex. To have such a fantastic beer "Mecca" in the town I've just moved to makes all the hassle and stress of moving worthwhile. It's the other end of Twickenham from where I live but I feel drawn to it above all the other (excellent) pubs in the area; in fact we travelled here from Croydon on occasions before we actually moved to the area, so I can understand how this place is becoming popular with the beer tickers.
While there are several pubs around London that can match the Sussex for beer range and quality, the staff really set the place at the top of the list. I get a sense of enthusiasm and happiness - no world-weary cynicsm here. Plus as mentioned before the presence of the deck behind the bar really is the cream on top - Bobby Womack was being played last time I was in. I also like that when beers get towards the end of their barrel or shelf-life they reduce the price. This must really help the turnover and keep everything fresh.
The only criticism I have is that a couple of the regulars bring in absolutely massive dogs - they might be happy treating the pub as an extension of their house, but the pub should not let such potentially dangerous dogs roam off their leash among customers who don't share their love for dogs. My fiance is petrified of these dogs and as such is resistant to us visiting such a wonderful pub. So a message to the landlord - please make sure the dogs stay on their leads and we'll be back more often.
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Can't believe I've not reviewed the Sussex until now. As others have said, it's difficult to fault it - certainly not from a beer-lovers p.o.v. Maybe a dozen different ales on hand pump at any one time (and half a dozen ciders) always served in top condition at a good, cellar temperature by enthusiastic young staff who have been trained (or briefed) sufficiently to engage in a discussion about the merits of the various beers on offer. Tasters willingly offered and a loyalty card scheme. My only criticism is that the range has no core; with such a wide choice it'd be nice to have a couple of beers (maybe from the local Twickenham Fine Ales) that were regular cornerstones of the offer. Plus the turnover of barrels is so rapid that the chalkboard is almost useless as it bears no relation to what is on at that time. Music supplied via a record deck playing 60s and 70s vinyl. Decent sized (if rather bland) garden and at least 3 distinct drinking/seating areas in the pub which has a nice trad feel to it. Long may it rein (though these kind of places have a habit of vanishing with the landlord so I'd make the most of it whilst he's happy here!
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I rarely, rarely give anything a 10 out of 10. From women to cars to beer to football performances, but I honestly cannot find one thing to fault this pub on. It's such a brilliant, charming ambient pub with a cracking atmosphere. The beer is brilliantly kept, a cracking range and the food is stunning with a real home made feel.
I guess the only complaint I have about this place is that it's 200 miles away from home.
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I remember this pub many years ago as a charming old-fashioned 30s style pub with wood panelling, jugs of Bass and pickled eggs. It still has some of that pre-war feeling, but is now an ale-lover's paradise, with umpteen hand pumps and excellent beer. I'm reliably informed the food is first class too - my friends bought a couple of the home-cooked pies to take home. The pub even has a loyalty discount scheme!
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Fantastic beer choice, great food and relaxed atmosphere. This is as good as it gets for a suburban pub.
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Paid my first yesterday. Highly impressed - great range of beers, keen, efficient and friendly staff - pity it's such a long haul from where I live!
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Here right now on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Plenty of people in large garden, bigger than at first glance. Two beers so far, Cromarty Happy Chappy and Blackwater Rat Race (both �3.30). Both pale and hoppy and both excellent. Staff making sure you get a full pint and happy to give tasters. Wide range of UK and foreign bottled beers at sensible prices. What's not to like, a must visit.
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was on a solo trip sat 17th june, first visit, very impressed, great line up of beer and cider. tried the Trumans swallow and swift,which was a refreshing start, then twickenham gothick dark, which was a beaut.will be returning with the rest of the Marzipan haters soon. well worth the trip. 8/10
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Not sure that I agree with the previous comment from Cleversaz! Getting a seat yesterday at just after 2pm wasn't really an option although there was no problem an hour later when everyone had returned to work.
A nice pub with obviously keen and helpful staff (there wasn't a staff shortage here!).
18 pumps - yesterday 4 were cider and 14 ale. I sampled 3 different beers. Unfortunately, like some other pubs that go for volume, the quality can sometimes suffer. My first pint was excellent so I had another, the next two were certainly drinkable but I'd say that they'd been around for awhile.
A shortish food menu seemed popular and portions were fine for the prices.
Not a 10 out of 10 place but deserves an 8 in my opinion.
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Further to my previous comment about this pub, I've changed my mind, it truly does deserve 10/10. Despite immense popularity for all the right reasons, we never have a problem getting a seat. I can't for the life of me work out why. Everything about this place is spot on. And there's no 'probably' about it - it IS the best pub in Twickenham. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's the best pub I've ever been to. And I've been to a lot of pubs.
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It's so good to see a pub turned around so well. The Sussex some years ago was a crap run down pub, but has been rejuvenated while still left in it's original style - great wood and windows. So glad that you don't stick to the 70's carpet when walking around any more! Now has a fantastic selection of beer, perry & cider, sounds like I need to try the pies too! A small pub inside but they've made the most of the building, utilising space better than previously. Top job.
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A cracking pub, eighteen handpumps serving a bewildering array of real ale. A wonderful aroma of roast dinners greeted us when we arrived today. A slight lack of indoor seating is the only fault I could see. Roast chicken sandwich with roast potatoes, a sublime Yorkshire Pudding and a small amount of gravy. Excellent real ale and perfect service. 10/10.
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The Pies are back,they left us for a while because Anthea,who makes these splendid things,had twin boys, so you would understand that she was unable to bake for a while.She still is only doing certain amounts so we will still run short sometimes until she is 100% pie friendly,they are handmade as you know.As far as the roast is concerned,it's been of the same quality since since we opened the pub and will continue to be so?
Like any establishment we are not perfect but we aim to be as good and as honest as we can be to all our customers.Sometimes you do make mistakes and you cant please everyone,that's life and also part of hospitality.We thank all you lovely people out there who support us by coming through the door everyday and making the wonderful comments and constructive advice, on this site and others,it's great to know what we try to achieve here week after week seems to please most of you,that's awesome!Thank you all and keep Real Ale alive!....and Vinyl!
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A great pub and only 1min from my front door. Always a good atmosphere and friendly staff with the already well documented range of ales and ciders. The 70s vinyl is a bonus in my book. If the pie lady has gone it's a shame but this place would stand strong without food at all. If you are nearby , go.
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I was introduced to The Sussex Arms a few months ago. Its shaping up to be one of my favourite pubs EVER. A HUGE selection of beers and cider, a great atmosphere, great decor, friendly staff who actually know about what they are serving, the loyalty card is a great idea. Tried their food the other day and it gets my thumbs up. Large beer garden for when the sun eventually comes out, music is at the right volume (loud enough to hear it, quiet enough so you dont need to raise your voice), toilets are always clean with loo roll in it, mixed crowd of people which is a good thing in my book.
This is a seriously splendid pub and im already looking forward to my next visit. Worth moving to Twickenham for! :)
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AJ has left and taken her pies/roast with her. :-(
Pies are rubbish now.
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What a truly excellent PUB in the real sense of the word. Discovered it, in it's present form, by accident when my partner (who's an avid Cider fan) spotted a board promoting draft ciders outside last Nov.
Since then we have been back back at least once a week.
What a change from how I rememembed the place. It [now] has absolutely everything you could want a pub to have with no disadvantages worth talking about.
Beer (and Cider) are excellent with an ever changing range available - you can try before buying.
Food is basic - but prepared to such a high standard one will always want more.
Drops one point because it is not walking distance from my home - but gets it back as it is on a direct bus route :-)
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This used to be the last place anyone would choose to visit. What a pleasing change, I had my doubts but they were overcome even before I saw all those handpumps, just seeing the amount of customers spoke volumes. Then such a choice. Its remarkable. Only one teeny criticism, I think the basic plan has been uplifted from the Southampton Arms, but that isn't to bas a template is it?
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Fabulous pub offering so many and unusual ales all the time. It's in an area that has pretty decent pubs but this is just about the best. At a modest �3 a pint and the loyalty scheme card where if you have 9 pints you get one free is also a major plus pint for this place.
Very, very popular with Harlequins fans. Despite this everyone in the pub, including the staff, were having a great time.
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The best pub I have been into in years! Crikey where to start? Excellent ales good bar staff and a fine ambience. Love the lack of lager and its attendant louts!!
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After years of being a scruffy hole that I'd got so used to ignoring on a daily basis I'd almost forgotten it existed, this is now quite probably the best pub in Twickenham. And it's my local! Hooray! (sort of)
Plus points: A vast, ever-changing selection of excellently kept real ales at a mere �3/pint and a great selection of proper ciders, all of which you can try before you buy. Lovely, obliging bar staff who contribute tremendously to the warm, friendly atmosphere. Delicious food including the mouth-watering made-to-order pies and some mighty fine sausages. Pleasant decor with roaring fires, non-intrusive classic music (on vinyl, no less) and a huge garden with several comfy sofas - perfect for whiling away a summer's afternoon with friends. Despite it always being busy, I've never waited long to be served thanks to the attentive bar staff, and service is always with a smile. The Tuesday jamming band is fab and not in the least bit loud like bands tend to be in pubs.
Negatives: It is far too close to my house. And they need more indoor seating because it's so popular (and rightly so) - the ONLY reason I haven't given it 10/10.
It's an amazing transformation at a time when so many pubs are going out of business. Given that it's 'tucked away' a mile or so from Twickenham town centre, it's always busy - a perfect example of how to do a pub right. Keep up the excellent work Sussex - and I'll see you for a few quality ales later on this evening!
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service 9/10
value for money 9/10
housekeeping 9/10
ambience 9/10
no wonder its the busiest pub by the green
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What a truly excellent pub! The only thing slightly wrong with it is it gets a bit crowded and noisy - because it's so popular.
A great selection of unusual beers - perhaps six or seven I've never tried before - and some ciders.
The staff are pleasant.
Prices are low - �3 or so.
And they play music from 60s and 70s album bands like Cream - not too loud, but just loud enough so someone every so often says "I remember this - what's it called?"
Just a great pub. Keep it up!
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Lovely place, Twelve ales at �3 a pint, cider at �3.20 PLUS every tenth one free. Smiling bar staff who offer you a choice of a jug or a glass. Shame it's tucked away, but well worth a visit.
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large selection of ales usually from small independent breweries (lately quite a few stouts & porters - always a good thing)....quality is consistently good (on the couple occassions where I was 'blessed' with the bottom of the barrel, the staff were more than happy to change).
The uniform pricing policy (�3 ales) makes life easier for everyone and should be adopted by more pubs
For being so close to Twickenham, it is nice that sport is not the focus.
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What a cracking pub. Warm and comfortable environment with 2 log fires and 16 real ales on tap. The staff were enthusiastic and welcoming. Home cooked food excellent. I only wish this was my local.
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What a fantastic pub. PUB in the true sense of the word. With 18 cask ales and ciders you cant go wrong. You can if they aren't kept right but never had a bad one here and having worked in hospitality for more than half my life, I take my hat off to the management for keeping them so well. Very hard to get right and lots of hard work involved.
Yes it can get real crowded but that creates a nice atmosphere with people from all walks of life. The staff understand the importance of customer service and its great to see the management on the floor serving and socilaising with punters. Your custom is made to feel truely appreciated.
The food? I don't think I've had a better roast anywhere!
A must visit if in the area.
A must visit if thinking of opening your own place.
A must visit for Fullers, Youngs, Enterprise etc.
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Not much i can say which hasn't already been said in last few months since it opened. Not being local we came accross this pub in the London Drinker and initially had problems locating it (slightly wrong postcode on the advert). It was the 18 ales and ciders which attracted us. Despite it being a saturday night and busy the staff were very welcoming and offering tasters etc to sample the beer. The young landlady was also happy to chat while clearing tables and even apologised for the wrong postcode being used in the advert, and seemed made up that we'd gone out of our way to persevere. I will definitely go back when in the area, and if sucess is based on the customer service then this place won't go far wrong.
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Becoming a bit of a victim of it's own success: I go in less often now as is sometimes standing room only.
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This pub is now excellent !
Following the refurbishment, I frequently find myself looking for an excuse to walk past and quite often...in.
Well kept beers and a friendly atmosphere have made this one of the best pubs in Twickenham.
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Good pub doing good things. Great range of diverse well kept ales; nice interior, not spoiled by refurbishment; cool outdoor space with sofas; varied and well-cooked menu. Vote with your presence.
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Excellent range of ciders. At first therer was a tendency to get the easily obtainable but second-rate stuff such as Millwhites but now they have some really good small-producer real ciders. Quick service, food is good.
Pint prices are better than many around here, esp if you use their loyalty card (1 free after buying 10). Food prices normal for Twickenham.
I've never seen so many bicycles parked outside a pub before - often 8 - 12 at a time.
I do wonder how many customers actually prefer the music as loud as it is.
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Marvellous establishment - 14 real ales all in excellent condition and soon as one ran out a new ale was quickly put on. Five or six draft ciders too. Fortunately there's a massive beer garden which accommodates children. Allegedly the food was good. Oh! And the bar staff are very friendly and quite happy for you to sample before buying - excellent background music on throughout the night. If you're in Twickenham then worth while visiting.
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In an area blessed with good pubs, the Sussex Arms is settling down well after its refurb and offers an excellent range of well kept beer and cider at good prices. Plenty of staff behind the bar, almost seem to get in each otehrs way at times. Music is good although to have a break occasionally would not be a bad thing. Also I agree with the previous reviewer that a core of 5 or 6 headline beers that rotate and are always available would be good - if you visit just a couple of times a week the beers change completely and you have to start from scratch to find your favourite, next time you call it's replaced by something else. Still they're very generous in letting you sample what's new!
If they keep these early standards up they deserve to do well!
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A pleasant break in the land of Fullers. 18 beers and ciders all that I had in good condition. The layout could be better with 4 people taking half the pub it seemed however had a very large garden.
The old Sussex was like a 70s pub in the worst tradition this one has a rather quaint 80s feel with modern beer keeping. The oddest part was the straight glass or jug question. One for the old timers and farmers in my experience. Does it matter? I'm straight if anyone is interested!
Could maybe do with a few rotating headline ales, even at a headline price, like a Jaipur or Summer Lightening or Proper Job. I do not mind trying beers but it's nice to have 1 you know you will like. Minor criticism.
Reasonable beer prices and no Fuller's. No TVs and a large garden. Will be back.
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Have been a couple of times since the refurb. Great choice of beers & ciders, good music and had a top notch Sunday roast in the beer garden.
From being a pub I would avoid at all costs it is now one of the best pubs in Twickenham.
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Five out of 18 MillHouse ..bet you had to stay in for a week after that!!!!!
There are a few Weatherspoons pubs that do 18 or close to like the George in
Croydon and the Wibbas Down Inn in Wimbledon so if the demand is there??
Good luck to them!!!!!!!!!!!
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Seen the pub being refurbished from the bus, so decided to pop and have a look. Very pleasantly surprised, good choice of beers and staff very helpful. Will definitely being popping back in again
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I have paid a few visits now. Trade is starting to be brisk and the amazing beer range seems more sustainable than on my first visit. It is doing everything right. - �3 a pint, loyalty cards, excellent looking food (yet to be sampled), friendly staff. Deserves every success.
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Went here for the first time yesterday. WOW, what a find. I can only assume that the average score weighting will improve as newer reviews push older ones off the end of the queue. Super range of well-kept beers and draught ciders. If I ran The Prince Blucher I'd be getting worried.
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Complete transformation into really comfortable pub with a stunning range of ales and cider and helpful, friendly staff. I didn't try the food but it seemed to be popular and tempting. An absolute must for anyone in the area who enjoys a pint of decent beer.
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Oh and don't panic, Dartboard/Fruit machines/Sky are no longer.
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Wow, what a transformation. Loads of great ales and superb food. AJ's Kitchen is now based here, so the best pies and Sunday Roast for miles are served here. Cracking garden.
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What a fantastic improvement. Lovely pub, friendly and efficient staff, large garden, extraordinary range of beers and ciders. Haven't tried the food yet but it looked lovely.
Like other posters, I'd be surprised but happy if they could keep such a range going but, as meurglys says, it would still be fine if they lost a few. I'd also be very happy if they kept the current price of �3 a pint beyond their reopening period.
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I popped in here for a few beers on Saturday late afternoon. There is a marvellous range of beers on cask (and several ciders), a good range of bottled beers including several Brewdogs, Cooper's from Adelaide, Otleys(although the one we had was strangely flat) plus a number of others. The staff are very pleasant, the beer garden is pleasant and extensive and the interior has been refurbished without losing any of its original character. I am hesitant to say "best pub in Twickenham" before going there a few more times, so I'd better get going!
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A quick visit - and getting pleasantly busy by five on a Friday afternoon. I agree with the poster below who thinks that the beer and cider range may not be sustainable at that number, but even with half the choice it would still be worth visiting!
A garden, a basic but decent food menu and a feeling that it's a pub not a sports bar or ersatz restaurant. Well worth seeking out, and encouraging people who understand that a pub requires friendly service, good drink and an atmosphere which encourages you to stay.
We then went on to the "refurbished" Lion in Teddington. A huge mistake.
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recently reopened and very impressive selection of real ales on hand pumps many you will not have seen before and constantly changing. Large garden to rear. Didn't try the food but I expect I will on future visits. Decor is slightly corporate in that it hasn't the 'local pub' feel (yet?). All seeking real ale in Twickenham must seek this one out.
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Visited on 30th July after it re-opened on 28th July. They've done a great job of the refurb and it also has a large garden which I didn't know before. Great selection of beers including local favourite 'Naked Ladies' from Twickenham fine ales. The Pale Rider was also very nice. What a refreshing change to find a pub with lots of decent beers/ciders and only two lagers! I hope this pub is a great success, Twickenham can certainly handle a place like this!
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I looked in last night and was impressed with the re-furb, the selection and quality of the beers plus the friendliness of the staff. I will be back. I had no idea that the garden would be as big as it is.
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haven't been here in about 8 years and anything has to be an improvement, last time I went there I think there was 3 customers in there all 75 or over the landlady thought it would be a good idea to stay where she was talking to the customers already in residence before my arrival. I finished 2 crosswords before she decided to move from the comfort of the fire and serve me. Never again I thought and never again it has been and one has to wonder why she couldn't be bothered to move with pubs closing at a great rate of knots.she was as good as pubfull of average wetherspoon staff. Have spoken to mates who were there on friday day after re- opening and they gave favourable reports will have to have a look soon.
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The Sussex reopened last Thursday (same owners as the Fox and Royal Oak as I understand).
I went in on Friday and the place was heaving. But there were plenty of staff and getting a pint quickly was not an issue. And what amazing beer they have too. The choice is almost too good and I would be amazed if they manage to keep busy enough to manage such vast turnover. All the better if they can as this place really deserves to do well.
The refurb is really excellent and they've done a great job of preserving its character but adding some nice fixtures and fittings in the process. The leather upholstery and wooded floor in particular look great. The garden is still work in progress but looking good already. Food is basic but they�re sensibly keeping the menu short and sweet.
The other real winner for me is a complete lack of TV screens. At last a pub where you can drink in peace and don't have to put up with the football rabble that used to frequent the place in the past.
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I am surprised this has not been reviewed yet as I am sure that the Grand Re-Opening has taken place. 18 handpumps certainly sound interesting. The only problem for me is I do not work in Twickenham anymore therefore this is a bit of a trek.
Someone please go there and review this place as if it turns out to be anything like it sounds then I think I will definitely make an effort to get down there for a bit of a sesh! ! ! ! ! ! !
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I use to go into this pub quite a bit when I was a student because no one else seemed to go in there and the pool table was always free. It was a bit dark and dingy then and imagine my surprise when I walked in nearly fifteen years later to find nothing had changed. The toilets still stank of stale urine, the pool table was in exactly the same place and the pub still looked as though it was time warped in from the 1800�s. Normally I would like pubs like this for the reasons listed above (except the urine smell) but on this occasion it just left me cold. The fact that none of the ale selection was available and the cliental of old men who seemed to have nothing better to do with their lives than spend their time down the pub drinking their lives away. I am amazed this pub is still open in this day and age but it is best avoided.
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As grotty a pub as you could ever hope to find. I like to pride myself on the fact you usually find something positive to say in a review, but abandon all hope ye who enter here....
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what a mess. lanlady is a chav, customers are even worse. never seen such a disgusting pub in all my life. i thought smoking was banned in a enclosed area, hasnt seemed to happen in there yet. a used tampon in a plant pot? attractive. flooded toilets, the smell of urine going through the pub, oh how charming..
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Went to a Charity Star Trek Sci Fi night here in october, was very pleasently surprised to find a real style pub (or do we call that dated now?). Landlady is really friendly, and the entertainment was different but good fun (Music, with some videos shown that were Film clips from Batman and Star trek put together to some great songs). Will certainly go back if they put on another nite like that!!
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I went to a Karaoke at the Sussex and found it to be freindly, welcoming if maybe a little dated on the decor but I had a graeat time and the karaoke was fantastic with a quiz and games to add to the fun. The landlady was very nice so dont be put off by old comments or opinions. Go see for yourself.
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Christ, what a time-warp, straight out of Steptoe and son. At least the only chav was the barmaid. And I guess it is doing a sterling job of keeping its denizens out of other local watering holes....
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I popped into this pub for a quick drink with a mate and stayed till late after listening to some lovely live music. Atmosphere was brilliant and staff made us feel really welcome. Real lovely pub.
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a real pub . havent been in one off these for years. full of characters and atmosphere with friendly and warming feel and great bar staff. a good regulars feel about it
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A real throw back. Went in for a pint and was hit by the wall of smoke... How will they cope in July!
Inside it had only one draft bitter on, the ubiquitous Pride, and as usual another place pumping out mediocre Fullers. The 70s disco and flashing lights seemed to belong 200 miles north but I could have handled that before someone mangled Maggie May with a Karaoke version....
Avoid unless you like an old fashioned working class environment complete with 70s draft beer (poor).
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Always someone outside spitting. I don't know why, I think its how thick people mark their territory.
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I went in here today for the first time and was very impressed. The food was excellent and the staff very friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be going back. (If I can find it again as I live in Sunbury and found this by mistake!!!)
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Should be called the Slaughted Lamb and then bulldozed down to rebuilt as a swamp.
anonymous - 3 Jan 2006 22:28 |
Looks a much nicer pub from the outside than it is inside - Is actually quite rough and chavvy, go to the Blucher instead.
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Great if you have a penchant for smelling like an old ashtray, which you will within seconds of entering this place. Also tip-top for those many women who love to be letched over by dodgy old pissed blokes. A dream.
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Bit pokey inside, but feels like a traditional pub.
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Nice, not full of yobs, not too much of a regulars feel, they do San Miguel on draft & theres a foxy barmaid in addition
PJ - 29 Apr 2004 10:10 |
chilled out, relaxed, friendly pub
Ben - 2 Mar 2004 12:01 |
