The Basset Hound, Thingwall

It's changed utterly since 1977. But even then it was considered a place to miss because of the fizzy keg beer. "Whitbread. Trophy Bitter. The Pint That Thinks It's a. . . .Pint."

I agree with wirraldrinker, the ale is bland and the food, though not expensive is unremarkable.

I don't visit the Wirral much any more and am astounded at the spread of these dreadful Greene King pubs where you are supposed to memorise your table number because its easier for their record keeping system. The "Landlord's Choice" ale is actually the Brewery's choice - an unremarkable 3.5% bland bitter and the same as in other Greene King pubs tried in the area.

The Basset is popular with retired folk and local oldies clubs who want a cheap but acceptable set meal. Everyone else is better off going to half mile along the road to the Fox and Hounds (food service ceases promptly at 2pm when the deep fryer gets switched of).

22 Apr 2012 19:02

The Bell, East Molesey

Good points: Great location, dark like pubs used to be, spacious, no piped music, acceptable if unexciting beer (limited choice, Directors, Courage Best, Blacksheep) large decent garden with some slides for kids, small car park, newspaper, a landlord and bar staff who are trying hard.

Bad points: The outside is no guide to the inside. This pub could be a jewel but it is shabby, needs a good clean and a lick of paint. Visited at weekend, daytime, late April 2012 and the heating was set uncomfortably high. Door onto garden banged shut loud and endlessly by returning smokers - please Mr Landlord attach a device to make it close quietly.

Neutral points: Middle-aged local men hogged the bar (as is their right) but this forced everyone else to squeeze through an extremely narrow passage to get to the main room.

There is a new generic menu (laminated easywipe plastic) which offers a wide rage of cheap meals as determined by the brewery rather than the pub cook. Nothing fancy but acceptable grub at fair prices which is sometimes exactly what you want.

22 Apr 2012 12:44

The Britannia, Richmond

Pub: Dark pub down a side alley. Small but pleasant concrete patio garden to the rear, albeit under the flightpath on some days. Pleasant, friendly, attentive barstaff.

Beer: Three cask ales including an excellent pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord.

Food: Oh dear. �8.95 for half a dozen strands of supermarket tagiatelli in a watery tomato sauce is really taking the piss. The burger and chips was considered to be distinctly sub par. Menu recently reprinted is hard to navigate and written in a pointless handwritten font.

We four may return on occasion for the decent beer but will never eat here again. Landlord - your parsimony has just lost you a steady stream of future income.

For good beer (Fullers) AND good food walk 100 yards along the Green to The Princes Head. The seating is more comfortable, too.

8 Jul 2011 10:17