The Masons Arms, Teddington

The Masons Arms is a fine small, traditional street corner local in a residential side street just off the main road through the centre of Teddington. The pub featured prominently in a recent issue of London Drinker, in which we learnt that the pub re-opened last year following a period of closure, having been acquired by the owner of The Roebuck in nearby Hampton Hill. The pub has been redecorated in a lighter and brighter style, but still retains a cosy and comfortable feel, featuring carpets and leaded frosted windows. Its commitment to real ale is demonstrated through a collection of brewery memorabilia – framed beer mat sets, ashtrays, drinks trays, bottles etc. Watneys features quite prominently – including several replica Red Barrels – which will no doubt be of nostalgia appeal to those of us of a certain age. On one wall is the old pub sign featuring the motto “ God is our Guide”. In one corner of the pub are a series of old photos and paintings of the pub, showing it in its earlier incarnations as owned by Isleworth Brewery and then, later on, Watneys. In the other corner is a dartboard, although the positioning of seating suggests that it is not in regular use. This particular corner is a bit spartan compared with the rest of the pub, indicating that the pub is still very much a work in progress, a fact that might explain the existence of a rubbish skip outside. There’s no TV or electronic distractions, apart from a jukebox, and on my two recent visits, the staple diet has clearly been beer and conversation. The former landlord of The Abercorn Arms is evidently a regular here – a good testimony in anyone’s book. There’s 4 handpumps which, on my visits were serving Sambrooks Wandle, Westerham British Bulldog, Downton Quadhop and Langham Brewery LSD ( Lodsworth, West Sussex ). Beers were priced between £ 3.10p and £ 3.20p and all beers sampled by me were in excellent condition on the two days. Notably, the Langham Brewery LSD ( 5.2% ABV at £ 3.20p ) represents much better value than Fullers London Pride, a weaker beer brewed only a few miles away and which often costs £ 3.30p or more now in their tied estate. The Masons Arms has not been open long enough yet to get into any CAMRA Good Beer Guides, but one would expect it to be a serious contender for the 2012 Edition, based on my visits. The pub is well worth seeking out and I hope to return soon.

This is indeed a very good locals’ pub. On my visit they had four ales on: Langham Sundowner (£3.20 a pint); Sambrook Junction; Downton Quadhop; and Brideshead Indian’s Head. They also had on a German lager called Rothaus (a new one on me) which they served in branded glass steins. There was no sign of any food or menus during our midweek evening visit. Since Maldenman’s visit they have mounted the old pub sign on one of the internal walls, which makes a very impressive feature, and they have a dartboard and playing area around to the left of the bar counter. But the refurbishment that this pub has enjoyed seems to be a long running affair, with the improvements very much work in progress. There’s some obvious paintwork to be undertaken, and there are some large gaps on the walls that are crying out for prints or other similar decor to fill the open spaces. The only negative feature for me was the music being played louder than was necessary. But this is a real pub that I heartily recommend. I imagine if you visit in a month or two when the decorations are complete, it will be an even more comfortable and welcoming pub than it is now.