The Watermans Arms, Richmond

Yes - this is probably the next best pub in Richmond after the White Cross, although - since Youngs have stopped making beer - I'm continuing to investigate the Princes Head, the Old Ship and The Victoria.
I know there are others but I've not been in them for some time.
Bill runs a good bar at the Waterman's and the beer is well kept and the food is good quality fare.
There is a remarkably 'local' ambience here which is missing in most pubs in the metropolis. This is probably a result of the relatively small but cosy front bar and the accessibility of the bar staff. There is however a downside to this.
And that is the incesant and sometimes completely redundant, large screen television which dominates the bar. Perfectly ok when there is a match on, but not all the time. There is a large pub-going chattering class in richmond, and they will not go where there is an annoying and uneccessary aural background.
Put this right - and get some guest beers in - (draught Timothy Taylor's perhaps and some bottled White Shield Worthington) and we might get to No.1.

13 Feb 2007 22:01

The White Cross, Richmond

Food served - yes,
Riverside location - yes
Real ale - well maybe, but not as we used to know it Jim!
The white Cross is one of the best pubs in the country and I should know! Ive been using it for over thirtyfive years. During that time - (apart from one grim period when walls were taken down to demolish the individual bars), it has remained largely unchanged. It always was and still is one of those places where people are able to meet, talk and swap banter - after work, or before going out or at the end of the evening, without the intrusion of redundant television screens, musak or games machines. In other words, it is a proper pub!
The white Cross had one other atribute. It sold the finest bitter in the country. The best bitter (Special) and the ordinary were the finest examples of London style ale available - and the seasonal Winter Warmer was unique, not to say miraculous. All this has gone, I fear forever! Last night I tasted all three beers - each was as tastless and as characterless as the next. Each indistinguishable from the other. I felt I was at the scene of a crime - but no-one was investigating! The White Cross will always be a great pub provided it manages to withstand the Young's drive to turn it into a hotel foyer style bar as it has done elsewere. But what can we do about the dreadful state of the beer?

18 Dec 2006 23:43