The Rifleman, Twickenham

This old, small back street pub has thankfully survived despite being tucked away down a side street. It’s limited choice of real ales are always good and it was nearly always busy. It never served food (apart from snacks and toasties) and this was fine. It had TV screens placed high up for major sports events but they were never intrusive.
Until quite recently the pub was run by a friendly land lord and land lady who were always a presence in the bar who remembered and welcomed you. It was always a pleasure to visit.
A couple of weeks ago my partner and I decided to go there for a pre Sunday lunch drink. We expected the pub to to busy and jolly.
We arrived at 1.30 to find there was just one customer at the bar. The young lady bar person served us and was very nice and friendly. I enquired why it was so unexpected quiet. She said it was because the football match hadn’t started yet and it would get busier.
There are several screens in the pub and they were all blaring out random sports events plus music playing.
Later maybe another six people came in and despite the match now being on I wasn’t aware anyone was watching.
We felt disappointed that this local had appeared to have lost its cozy, chatty and friendly (also extremely popular and busy) atmosphere. It would be sad for it to become another statistic.

3 May 2018 09:00

The Triple Crown Inn, Richmond

Sought out The Triple Crown hoping to find a 'friendly, local , real ale pub' in Richmond. Nice sunny day but chilly so wanted to be inside. Sadly no bar staff evident and locals propping bar not keen to tell us who was serving. Eventually a young lady arrived. 3 ales on and my partner and I both chose Proper Job which was served in excellent condition. The pub is tired and rather run down but that was not our gripe. There was a large screen TV blaring out pop videos which in itself is distracting enough but incongruous to the surroundings of the pub, in our opinion, but the unfriendly locals (all quite mature well dressed gentlemen) insisted on viewing and listening to music videos at a very high volume on their hand held devices. This competing against the TV output made it impossible to talk or enjoy our pints. The bar lady made no attempt to stop the conflict of sound but continued to lounge against the wall engrossed in her mobile. We took our drinks outside where we did encounter friendly locals which was very nice but sadly did not stop for a further drink. Some reviews regarding this pub enthuse about the landlord and what a great pub he runs. Whilst I appreciate he cannot be there all the time I feel his presence was sadly missed on this lovely Sunday afternoon. I don't think this is a pub either my partner or I shall be returning to any time soon.

17 Oct 2017 13:46

The Anchor, Bookham

Nice warm pub on a cold winters day and a good place for a good lunch. However, regular ale, albeit good ale, at £4.20 excludes this place from becoming a regular watering hole! Why so expensive?

5 Mar 2015 18:42