The Fairfield Tavern, Kingston Fairfield, Kingston Upon Thames

I just happened to find myself walking back from the Kelly Arms to the 131 bus stop and stumbled on this pub. As the Kelly Arms had been closed the sensible thing to do was clearly to stop for a pint. There were a couple of real ales on – Bombardier and Courage Best, plus another pump with the clip reversed. The pub was surprisingly busy for 2.45 on a Wednesday afternoon, with about 20 or so members of what looked like a family group, plus a number of dogs. I thought that I might have stumbled in to a wake, but they didn’t seem to be dressed for that. Anyway, I sat down with my pint of Bombardier to be investigated by the dogs. This is a fairly basic no frills pub; bare-boarded floor; mainly plain wooden tables and normal, comfortable, chairs. There were a couple of armchairs, one of which I made use. There’s a one armed bandit of course, plus a juke box that someone stuck some money into in order that we could all listen to Mack the Knife. There was another bar to the right, but unlike Maldenman I didn’t venture in there. On balance I don’t think this pub is anything special. But on the plus side my pint of Bombardier was good at £2.80 a pint, and they did have what looked like some basic rolls in a traditional plastic container at the end of the bar. Of course, as previous posters have said, a previously closed pub returning to life is a good thing.

Not been here for many years but was attracted by recent reports of improvements although I don't recall having any bad impressions about the place from when I lived in the area. It is obvious as soon as you walk in that it has undergone a recent makeover but, to be honest, the interior displays very little character as a result. There is an odd mix of battered stripped back floors with fresh exposed modern brickwork and token pictures and nick nacks which really don't look at home. It all looks very contrived and nondescript with no real focus or wow factor. Given that it was previously a Badger's pub, the beers nowadays are pretty run of the mill – Courage Best and Deuchers (another clip was reversed but possibly Directers) with prices reasonable. The beer garden is one of the better features but not such an attraction heading into the winter months. Overall a disappointing pub but there are far worse around and, given that it was previously closed and boarded up, we should at least be thankful that it has survived and will hopefully continue to do so.

Dropped by recently with the intention of supporting a new venture in a reopened pub. I have to confess to being a little disappointed, the pub is marketed as a free house but just Courage Best, Badger Sussex Best and Pickled Partridge. The Partridge may well be pickled but having a vinegary tang was I thought taking the description a little far. The entrance leads into a room with the bar opposite, a side door leads to another space with a serving hatch, but mind the step down, easily missed as its on the line of the door. Decor seems rather random, a hotch potch of pictures, non matching furniture etc. A strange ambience, the lighting is quite bright, and I found the clientele a little unsettling, even if not threatening, and the constant moving in and out and shouting between the bar and outdoor smoking gazebo rather irritating. I'm glad its reopened and provides a service but not to my taste sadly.