The George and Dragon, Thames Ditton

We were having a get-together with friends and were looking for a venue for Sunday lunch and drinks. Called up a couple of days beforehand and asked to reserve enough room for twenty people, possibly more and with kids. Was told that this was no problem and booked for 12pm.

When we all arrived, the landlady became quite stressed at us standing around talking with drinks - as you do in a pub in my experience - and demanded we all sit down. And not even at tables of our own choice. Rather perturbed already at the rather unfriendly welcome, we were further dismayed when friends turned up with a pram to be asked by the landlady "where do you think you are going to put that?". Lunch itself was quite acceptable, the rest of the staff were friendly enough and the bar service good.

Unfortunately the stressed-out landlady and her resultant outbursts soured the visit and didn't leave our friends with a very good impression. We were at least able to make the best of a bad situation and jokingly wave our fingers at our friends telling them to behave themselves. Would not recommend this place for groups as a result.

12 May 2010 20:12