please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Mason's Arms was my favourite pub of the weekend. The location in a residential area does not look too promising. But this is a great community local. It has a single bar, with a corridor leading to the toilets and a small garden at the rear. Sambrook's Junction & Hopback Citra are the regular ales. Guests were Robinsons Robohop & Coastal Handliner. They also had a real cider - Gwynt y Ddraig Ancient Warrior. The barmaid was very friendly. One thing that stands out is the sheer amount of beer ephemera around the pub. It fills absolutely every single nook and cranny. Well worth a visit.
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Richmond & Hounslow CAMRA branch pub of the year 2016 - well done AGAIN.
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Richmond & Hounslow CAMRA branch pub of the year 2015 - well done.
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Although 100 metres off the main road in Teddington, it is a good traditional pub. Good beers - Tillingbourne, Junction and another - not my absolute favourites but very drinkable, friendly lady behind the bar, subdued but interesting music, good banter. Also the double house whisky is only £2.90 which my partner likes. Only tried it in the evening so far but will give it a whirl at lunchtime soon. Toilets very clean.
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Decent pub spoilt by the sour faced trout behind the bar.
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Best pub in Teddington by far, beer is always the best. Thoroughly recommended
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Just what you (or I) want from a pub - relaxed, good beers and a good lager (Dortmunder), friendly staff, real fire and the feeling of being a true 'local' pub. Only a minute off the main Teddington shopping area and well worth finding.
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I would concur with all below. Excellent local pub. Got to sample half a pork pie (and mustard), scotch egg and a collection of cheeses with pickles placed on the bar. Beers are top notch. Friendly service. Warm flow of conversation melds with the juke box - not competing with it! I was grinning from ear to ear. Travelled 40mins + to get here. And will do so again in the very near future.
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Rae runs a great pub here. Good beer, good atmosphere unspoilt by TV or inappropriate music. Love the Quadhop, and the garden is nice too, if a little small.
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A great pub about two minutes' walk from The Abercorn Arms. What to expect: no meals served, no telly unless for special events and the occasional Rugby Union match, a quiet jukebox, darts, fine ales and a warm welcome. An interesting range of bottled dark beers are on-sale too. A backstreet gem well worth searching out (close to 281 and 285 bus stops).
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This place continues to be a real delight. Regularly changing guest beers, a crew of jolly regulars, a very friendly landlady who knows her beer and some excellent staff. The only food is the occasional cheese or ham roll. I emphasise that the beer is always in very good condition given the apparent "quality issue" mentioned but dealt with below. The explanation by Davton rings absolutely true (I have only had one "end of the barrel" experience in over 2 years of regular attendance which was immediately changed) and shows that they care. All in all, excellent.
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A very lovely little local off the High Street, with loads of character, friendly staff, and some very good and interesting beer.
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A superb find and some truly great ales on tap with the Quadhop being absolutely fabulous. Tucked away from Teddington High Street, the pub is very friendly and well decorated. Occassionally, especially for Rugby, has a large screen TV wheeled into the bar. Highly Recommended.
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I stand (well, sit) corrected - we were at the end of a barrel - the problem wasn't the beer itself, but merely the fact it was nearly finished.
As I said, we were treated superbly, and served otherwise excellent beers (and we were especially impressed that we were immediately offered fresh pints even after we'd tasted and ok'd the previous ones).
A great little pub.
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As the barman that both "billy" & "matty" mention I would like to clarify that two beers ran out at the same time and the choice of the word "off" is unfortunate as it could be misinterpreted as a quality issue- heaven forbid ! Great to see some of you at the Twickenham Beer Festival last week watch the Masons noticeboard for early notification of the dates for 2012 cheers !!
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It is variety that is the spice of life. There are pubs that are road houses, that are speciality houses and that are locals. The Mason's Arms falls into the latter category - it is definitely a local, but a wonderful pub. Yes, when we walked in, all eyes (there were maybe 10 customers) swivelled towards us, but in a friendly way. Indeed, it turned out I knew one of the locals, and even recognised the barman from the NPL Sports' Club.
We were immediately welcomed, and offered tasters of the beers on offer (there were four real ales - two guest beers, and two regulars). We tasted (billynibbles and I) and opted for a pint that turned out to be nearly off. The beer, as billyn points out, was off, and it was replaced, no questions asked. The barman knows his beer, and could make recommendations (and suggested I return some time this week for the latest guest selection). The beer is reasonably priced for the area, at around �3.30 a pint.
The pub is fairly brightly lit, thus highlighting the beer memorabilia. Not just beer, indeed, but items highlighting all sorts of drinks from times past and present. There is a digital jukebox, offering almost any music you could wish for - the evening we went, a good deal of folk and rock was being played - just up my street. We heard Fairport Convention, Supertramp, Jethro Tull, Hendrix, amongst others. Yes, it does miss some of the more esoteric music I listen to (no Figgy Duff), but it is superb - �1 for four tracks.
The loos are very clean - it looks like they had recently had a refurb. The corridor leading to the loos does slightly resemble a hotel corridor, but it is well lit and spotlessly clean. The garden is small and backs onto residential gardens, so I've no doubt that it is appreciated that the garden users respect the neighbours. The outside lights weren't working on the evening I was there, but it seemed tidy, if unremarkable.
This is a good, local, real ale pub. I can, based on one visit at least, heartedly recommend it.
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Finally dragged 'mattygroves' there against her better judgement (yeah, right Chris!) for an evening session. Bar man let us sample all the current real ales (don't suppose he'd stretch to a taste of Laphroaig). Part way through our first pints, we both agreed that the barrel was 'on the turn', although felt a bit silly since we'd OK'd the sample. When I mentioned it, he gave us the next round of a different beer on the house and as he wasn't convinced that even that was top notch, he changed the barrel early and gave me another one. To quote Sebastian Vettel, "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about boys!" Service from someone who cares about beer.
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On a day rich in discovery (also went to Sussex Arms, Twickers), and to my shame it takes an Aussie to show me where these places are, I visited this for the first time yesterday. Really nice landlady, excellent beers in a sensible and hopefully sustainable array. Good lunchtime feel with a steady trickle of locals, notably, no 'suits'. Packed with beer memorabilia, (unlike The Roebuck which is just packed with any old memorabilia!) and comfortable. Can't wait to drag 'mattygroves' there, protesting all the way (not)
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Have used this pub occaisionally for years, it was always OK, but a bit run down. Since the refurb it is excellent, a proper local pub with good beer and a friendly atmosphere. So much better than the trendy chain pubs that dominate in this area. The new little garden is an extra bonus (if we ever get some sunshine)
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What a great pub this already is - and getting better. It's certainly not for youngsters but, for me, has a heady mix of real ale (frequently rotating - the beer not me), good banter and a fabulous juke box.
Nowhere betters it in Teddington.
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Has that classic combination of traditional decor (although recently updated and refreshed, who says it has to be fusty? Not me) and a nice range of beers including at the moment a pleasant dark mild. Capacious also which means there is plenty of room even for your pub-crawling (ahem, touring) groups.
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dropped in the other night,
last visit was about 4 months ago
taking shape very nicely
well worth the trip, decent beer,
comfortable surroundings etc
will be back .
m
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A rare thing, a traditional pub imporved with a refit and that serves excellent beer and has friendly staff making you feel welcome. A bit male dominated but hopefully it will go from strength to strength as areas need well run pubs like this for chatting with locals and avoiding braying teenagers.
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As the refurb nears completion, we old gits may well be more content: a new carpet, cutains and upholstery have balanced the bright paint job. And we can cogitate it all over a quite sublime pint of mild. Very well done.
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Lovely pub,always clean unlike other puds in the area. Good choice of real ales with guest ales. Renovations have upgraded this pub especially the toilets. Can arrange to meet ladies here without them feeling threatened. A nice warm feel, even on cold days.
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As the last post says, it does so much right. Great beer with the range developing as trade picks up - and deservedly.
But I too wonder about some elements of the refurb. Best to wait until it is all finished - but I did quite like the previous cosy unreconstructed darkness. Clearly I am another one of the old fashioned gits.
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This pub does so much right. Friendly staff and great beer make it a good option.
I do think that it could be improved further though by simply redoing the lighting (it's far too bright - feels more like an airport lounge than a cosy pub) and, for the same reason, painting the cream walls with a slightly darker colour. Again, an easy win which would vastly improve the feel of the place. It's just all a bit too bright.
Or maybe I'm an old fashioned git who prefers the traditional atmosphere of a pub when everybody else likes to go to European style, brightly lit bars. It's a shame for the gits like me though.
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An excellent traditional boozer close to Teddington hospital, The Mason's serves a great pint and keeps a fine range of bottled beer. The old loos were very small and have now been consigned to history with some substantial building work out the back. It's comfortable, traditional and quiet as the jukie is rarely loud. The guvnor also runs The Roebuck up the road in Hampton Hill but The Mason's has a unique character. It's probably not a place that hoodie-wearing chavs or pissed-up footy fans would like and it is somewhat sedate but it's a nice place. Teddington has eighteen pubs; this is probably its best.
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great to see an old back street pub being given a new lease of life, the landlady Rae is a cracking girl, and keeps a damn fine pint. Cant wait to see the place when the refurb is finished as havent been in for a few months (no dogs allowed). Blissfully free of the local chavs too.
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This is a brilliant pub with a good selection of great beers at a decent price with friendly ladies serving behind the bar and a comfortable atmosphere. Cosy on a winter's evening (or afternoon!). Our favourite hostelry in the Teddington area.
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I'd been told this house had a real cider. This turned out to be almost true - Millwhites Blackberry Blush, not strictly the real thing but better than the industrial 'ciders' offered elsewhere in town. A very pleasant atmosphere, and cheese & crackers on the bar.
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Totally agree with the last poster. If what you're after is a cracking pint in a warm atmosphere without any of the bullshit you find in many pubs today, or their rip-off prices, then this is well worth a visit. I've had the Quadhop �3.10 on three or four occasions recently - absolute nectar.
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Fantastic throwback to the 1960's. No telly, no hoodies, no chavs, everybody just enjoying a drink in a friendly pub. Fantastic range of beers including Ascot's Penguin Porter (on tonight) and Downtown Quadhop (always available).
This is a really good pub and being a free house change their ales regularly, plus the added bonus of actractive belles to serve you makes this an all time great.
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If you like beer, this is now a rather briliant pub. They had increased the pumps to four on my last visit (regulars of Downton Quadhop and Sharpe's Own joined by Woods Quaff and Shepherd Neam'e Late Red). They also have some continental beer, a wide range of bottled beer and some real cider. And it's a place with proper character and proper characters. Becoming my favourite pub in the area.
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Still a fine house. Building work is currently underway in the gents (sort of a one-in-one-out system), but the beers are fine and it's an oasis of calm as the jukie is rarely loud and it never really gets that busy. Still recommended.
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Great pub and very friendly, even though it seems like a locals place. They have interesting beers which are different every time we come. We had excellent corned beef rolls for a pound each, too.
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It's a cracking backstreet gem which has just re-opened under new management. Very much a beer drinker's pub - beer in this case meaning cask ale rather than fizzy lager - it is small but perfectly formed with a jukebox, dartboard and fine bottled ales selection (something you don't often see in non-tied pubs), occasional live music and a covered-up telly. It's a free house and sells slightly unusual draught ales plus a cask cider (halves only!) and an obscure continental lager. If you find yourself at the hospital end of Teddington high street, go in for a few. Most recommended.
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Fantastic back street pub, 1950's decor, beers when we went were Sharp's Best, Downton Quadhop and Hepworth's Prospect. The lack of television and bread rolls with cheese or ham at just �1 were more plus points. A pub not to be missed.
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Definitely one to watch. Covered in scaffolding for renovations but still open. Three well kept real ales on my visit: Sharp's Own, Wandle and Moondance. Only a few customers but a friendly welcome. Could well be a welcome adddition to the area.
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Our first visit here. Delicious well-kept beer (�3 a pint), friendly people. Will come again.
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Thing's are really looking up for this once tired ol' pub. Watch this space
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Had a few people in last weekend but not really my sort of pub. A few rough looking types.
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another great nite at the masons on sunday western theme had great time
good food nice locals excellent hosts and staff .lovely horse rides for the kids in kiddie freindly pub .thanx for a supurb evening
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Great food, good atmosphere, sport on tv and occasional live music - even a facebook group! The Masons is back to its best :-)
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fantastic turnaround fantastic food nice welcoming atsmosphere. A pleasure to drink there.
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Back open again and rather nice it is too.
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Glad to see this place has survived the chop. Was fine when i was in over 2 years ago.
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For your info Heidi, I dont drink in Wetherspoons pubs nor am I a "chump" However I used to drink in the Mason's when it was open!!! And not closed at 3 o'clock in the afternoon! Many regulars that used to drink here moved on to pub's that had a bit more heart in them and didnt close at prime times of the day and evening. If the previous owner took advantage of it's location and advertised lunch's then the outcome may have been better.
C.A.M.R.A. member!
P.S. good luck to the new owners, advertising lunches outside. Things looking up already.
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It never ceases to amaze me at how insensiitive and thoughtless the average drinker can be. I drank in the Masons many times and the family run pub had a pleasant atmosphere, cold beer and a decent jukebox. It also boasted a good band of locals that didn't include idiots like Lucy and Teddingtonbloke who to be quite frank should do every other pub a favour and stick to a weatherspoons where their sort belong. Cheap beer for cheap talkers. The landlord was a lovely bloke who cared about his customers and seeing the comments of those two chumps merely indicates to me that they didn't know anything about the place or the people who loved it.
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It is open again!
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It's shut down!!! Landlord just didnt give a toss about running the place. Hopefully if new people take over they will put a bit more heart into this dying trade. Shame.
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Grotty boozer - old style pub with all the disadvantages of being old fashioned.
Bar Manager sort of hovered nearby eaves dropping - bit of a saddo - probably bored.
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I heard about the Masons from a guy at work who drinks there. He told me about the weekly music quiz and being something of an expert on the subject i got some friends together and we went to see what it was all about. I cant tell you what a really good night we had. The prize fund was(at the time of writing this) approaching �400 so well worth winning. We alas didnt win but there again no one did. It was put together and hosted by a chap called Terry Peters and i dont think i`ve had such a laugh in ages. The atmosphere was so friendly i cant think of anywhere better to spend an otherwise boring midweek night.
Wednesdays from 9pm by the way. The Masons Arms, proof indeed you dont have to be big to be beautiful ! We`ll be back very soon. (we need the money) !!
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I agree with previous comments.
This pub is well run but a bit boring and very shabby.
The owners / pub co need to spend money doing it up.
The residents need to use it lose it as it will close.
It can't make much money.
Decent service, nice affable lad behind the bar
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Very shabby decor. Desperately in need of money spent on it. Pub cos have got to put a bit of cash into a coat of paint at least.
Redeemed by friendly affable service. A nice father & son seem to run it.
No wonder grotty back street boozers are becoming extinct. In a timewarp.
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I've popped in here on my own a few times on my way out as it were, and have found it perfect for that purpose. The first sign was a good one, ashtrays on the bar, and I don't even smoke! But at least that proved it was actually a "pub", as the previous comments have said. A very nice pint of Kronenberg, probably my best in Teddington. A place for a pint and a chat with some mates or your bird. To sum up, the kind of place you pop in for a quick drink and end up having a session
anonymous - 25 Apr 2007 16:37 |
Nice traditional street corner local - nothing remarkable, but well worth including in any Teddington crawl. This is the kind of pub that is sadly rapidly disappearing, either being replaced by flats or being turned into a "trendy wine bar " - so, the message is clear - use it or lose it !
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possibly one of the most friendly pubs i have visited with a very warm welcome. A brilliant music quiz on a tuesday night, presented well with some great cash prizes. recently won i believe about �400 ! very handy cash !! a bit off the beaten track so to speak but well worth a visit or two. go with an open mind and a sense of humour especially on a tuesday night. i`ll certainly be back there at some stage.
anonymous - 2 Oct 2006 17:15 |
This is a great pub - nothing fancy, just does the basics really well - Serves good drinks, is clean, feels traditional and an excellent jukebox.
The kind of pub I would be happy sitting in for an afternoon.
How would I cope living in Teddington if I had to choose between here and the Abercorn Arms? 2 great pubs within walking distance!
TheGP - 13 Aug 2006 17:28 |
A really nice backstreet boozer near Teddington hospital. A one-room place serving a decent selection of real ale,lagers ect. Note the interesting stuff on the jukebox. It's probably what many would call 'basic' but it's comfortable, the beer's good and neither the publican or the customers bite which is a good thing.
It's just five mins' walk from the Abercorn Arms one way and the Queen Dowager the other (both Young's).
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Fantastic. One of the few 'real pubs' around. Quiz night is good, sometimes. and the locals are friendly, as are the bar staff. the beer is well kept and not an arm and a leg.
DrMRB - 26 Jan 2006 18:03 |
Great pub, top food and an excellent music quiz on a Tuesday night. One of the only proper pubs left in the area.
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Not a bad pub but with a little effort could be a great pub if they sort the food out. Overpriced and a bit dry
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Really friendly, proper pub - I'll definitely be back
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Excellent liitle, real boozer. Great staff and manager. Friendly group of locals. A nice place to go read your newspaper with a pint and not be bothered by lifes wasters. Big screen TV for the football and Rugby. Try it, you'll like it.
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No additional comments in 18 months?! Give it a go - a non pretenious pub just off the High St & beers good. And only 2 minutes from the Abercorn Arms as well.
PJB - 4 Mar 2004 13:04 |
My nearest boozer (2 mins walk!!). Not very exciting but nice drop of Guinness.
PJB - 21 Oct 2002 17:09 |
