At the end of February I was in one of my locals, the Royal Oak in New Malden (KT3 4RD) and I spotted a notice in the window saying that the pub would be closing at 6pm that evening for a staff party. When ordering my pint I made a remark about getting ready for the party. I was told the party wasn’t taking place there but at the East Putney Tavern, which is, not surprisingly, in East Putney. I hadn’t heard of that particular pub and, given that like the Royal Oak it was owned by the Mosaic Pub & Dining Company, I thought that a visit was due.
The following Wednesday I got the train to Putney, thinking to try any other pubs along the way. On leaving the railway station I headed over the crossroads, passing what had previously been the Railway, a Wetherspoon’s, but is now a cocktail bar. Just down the Upper Richmond Road is the Fox & Hounds, a good size three storey building. The upper storeys are of light sandstone brickwork with stone framed windows while the ground floor is painted black. Apparently, the pub was originally called the Coach & Eight but the name was changed some time ago. I had been here many years ago when the Hounds had been let go and it was just called the Fox. The real ales had also gone so there was no reason to come here. Happily both the Hounds and the real ales have since been restored. It is now owned by Stonegate.
Inside, there is a long centre bar facing along the front with high and low seating around the sides, some nice benched seating bays along the front windows and a raised area in the corner. The colours are two tone dark green with wooden wall panelling and a plain white ceiling. The floor around the bar is varnished wood, while the seating areas are carpeted. On the wall at one end is an impressive large gold framed clear mirror and there are several TV screens. There were quite a few customers scattered about; not over busy but taking up most of the tables. At the bar the Twickenham Grandstand and the Greene King IPA were not available, leaving me with the choice of extra chilled Doom Bar or Fuller’s London Pride. I went for the latter at £3.20, reduced by using my CAMRA voucher to £2.70. What a bargain, and it was very good as well. Altogether a very pleasant pub to visit.
Leaving here I crossed to the other side of the Upper Richmond Road and walked for a few minutes to the Prince of Wales (SW15 2SP), on the corner of Oxford Road. It is an attractive grey painted pub with wrought ironwork running around it, above the windows. I had been in this pub many years ago, possibly in my lager days. Well we all have to start somewhere. In more recent years however the real ale had been discontinued so, again, I had no reason to come here. Real ale has however now been restored here as well and I had the choice of two. I went for the Sambrook’s Wandle at £4.70. I had to return it however; it was totally flat and clearly the end of the cask.
I was offered the other ale, also, I think, from Sambrook’s, called Happy Hooker (3.5% ABV). It was good. Payment was by card. I sat in the small front bar, although there is actually much more seating to the rear. It’s all nicely traditional with a wood floor and unpainted wood wall panelling. The walls are dark green and the ceiling black. The furniture is mainly old style wood, but with some green leather benches. It was now twenty past five and people were coming in to this seemingly popular pub.
Now it was time to find the East Putney Tavern (SW15 2SP). It is a single storey pub fronting a two storey building further back. The front is all small rectangular windows with large green signage above. It is not an original pub, having been converted in 2015 from a restaurant called Putney Station. Inside it seemed all very trendy and loud music was being played. There is a long wood bar at the front with other levels going up and down to the rear. The floor is wood but around the bar it is tiled in brown and orange. The walls are plain light blue with some exposed brickwork. At the bar, the Wandle was not on, leaving just Tim Taylor Landlord at £5.30. I found it very average. Payment was, again, by card. It was quite busy so it is obviously popular with the local populace.
I hadn’t planned to visit any other pubs in the area so I took the District Line from East Putney station across the road to Wimbledon. Today was one of those scenarios where my cheapest ale was the best quality and paid for with cash, while my most expensive ale was the poorest. Once at Wimbledon I popped into the Wibbas Down Inn (Wetherspoon’s) and then took a 131 bus to the Watchman at New Malden (also Wetherspoon’s), just to finish off. A good end to the day.
Clive Taylor