One afternoon towards the end of September I took myself off to Twickenham to try some of the town centre pubs that I hadn’t visited for some years. Alighting from the train, I crossed over the railway bridge and headed to the Albany, a large square looking pub of two and three storeys next to the railway line, just down a side road. It is quite an impressive looking pub in cream, with two bands of black edging around it.
As I approached, it seemed rather dull inside and I wondered if it was actually open. I could see some lights on so I tried the door and it opened. At the bar was a barman on his own; I asked if the pub was open. He replied that the pub was opening in ten minutes. Initially, I thought that I couldn’t be bothered waiting but I asked him if I could have a beer while I was waiting. No, I didn’t really but I did ask if I could wait inside. The barman told me to sit down and asked what I would like and soon I had a beer in front of me. Twickenham Naked Ladies was not on, leaving me the choice of Spitfire and Whitstable Bay Pale. I went for the latter at £4.40, and it was surprisingly good. The interior is still quite traditional, with three sided bar in the centra with seating at the front and either end, and an eating area off to the left. There is a wood floor and a long leather bench facing the bar, plus dark varnished chairs and tables. The walls are light and dark green with a light grey ceiling. There is a mirrored bar back, and lots of coloured cushions about. The pub does actually open at 4pm, and during my stay I conversed with the barman, being his only customer. I believe the pub changed its style in 2005 because I remember coming here for beer festivals. Sadly no more. So, it was a quiet start to the afternoon, but at least the beer was good.
A short walk back to the main road, and on the corner is the Cabbage Patch. This is a cream coloured pub with grey corner stones and a good floral display. I believe that there is more than one bar but I went in the nearest which is L shaped, going back to the rear. The actual bar is of an unusual design in dark wood while the floor is of varnished wood, the walls are dark blue and pale colours and the ceiling pale. There is an eclectic range of seating, a mix of high and low with some bays. There is also more seating to the side and to the rear. For sports fans there is a good share of screens around the bar, not surprisingly perhaps. In this Fuller’s pub I had the choice of LondonPride, Oliver’s Island and Timothy Taylor Landlord. I went for the Pride at £4.95 and it was very good. Out of curiosity I enquired the price of the Landlord. I was told £4.80. I commented that it was unusual for it to be cheaper than the Pride. The barmaid replied that it was because it was their guest beer! Most pubs find that an excuse to add at least another 50p on, I commented. There were a few customers in but it was getting busier.
On leaving the pub I passed by the Timber Yard, an ex ‘Spoon’s, the current ‘Spoon’s on the other side and what used to be, variously, the Black Dog, Twickers, Hobgoblin, Rugby Inn and finally the Twickenham Tavern; sadly it is now a restaurant. Around the corner is the George, a Grade-II listed coaching inn run by Greene King, but unfortunately it was not open.
So, walking on a little bit further, I soon reached the Three Kings. This is an attractive corner pub, done out in green on the lower part and grey on the upper, but, on entering, what a disappointment. It was so spartan and almost empty of customers. There is a central wood bar on two levels, a dark wood floor, cream and exposed brick walls and a black ceiling. All around the walls is low wood panelling which is sadly painted white. Around the bar area there are three brick fireplaces. The seating is mainly wooden chairs but, in the area behind the bar to the right, is a long green leather bench; a little bit of comfort. Hanging from the ceiling are some nice lamp shades and chandeliers. When entering I noticed a notice saying gastropub. The pub is owned by Stonegate and was offering London Pride and Naked Ladies, which I went for at £4.40. It was about the last pint out, a bit hazy, but surprisingly still good. It didn’t get much busier and I felt it was more like sitting in a cafe.
I carried on in the direction of the Green, passing the former Red Lion, now a Tesco’s, and taking a side turning into Colne Road to have a look at two closed pubs that I had visited twenty years ago. The first one was the Dukes Head, a good size two storey building that is now residential but, on the side, there is still the Brandon’s Putney Brewery sign built into the brick work. I called in here in May 1996 and had a pint of Mansfield Old Bailey. It was a nice pub but a shame about the clientele. On another visit, in September 2001, I had a pint of Brakspears.
Moving on, I turned left into May Road and soon came to what was the Kings Arms, a good size corner pub with a brick lower and cream upper exterior. I had been to this pub four times in the past. The first time was in May 1996 when I had a pint of London Pride and I described the establishment as a locals’ pub and a bit rough. The last time was in September 2011 when the range was Pride, Naked Ladies and Young’s Bitter, which I went for at £3.20.
Heading back to the main road, around the corner is a modern cafe bar called the Green, which appropriately happens to be situated right opposite the Green, the grassy one that is. I’ve been here a couple of times and quite liked it. It is doubled fronted, with the bar to the left hand side on entering. It is done out in a modern, woody style with more seating through a square archway and to the rear going back quite deep. I came here last year and there were three ales on but today it was just Naked Ladies selling for £4.50. I tried it and it was not good but, to give the barman full credit, he had a fresh cask ready and waiting in the cellar; it was soon pulled through, and it was very good.
Leaving there, I carried on in a westerly direction, soon passing the Prince Blucher and crossing over to come to the Sussex Arms, a Big Smoke pub. A good one to finish off in. Inside, it is all very traditional in a woody fashion, with the long bar facing you as you enter offering the choice of numerous ales. I went for their own ale, Underworld Milk Stout, costing £4.50. It was very good; definitely a good one to end on.
From here it is about a ten minute walk to Strawberry Hill railway station for the train home. It was an interesting if variable afternoon I felt but still quite enjoyable.
Clive Taylor