The White Hart Hotel, Kingston Upon Thames

Located directly opposite the bridge over the Thames to Kingston, this is a pretty imposing pub and hotel, currently operated by Fullers. Out front, there’s a large seating area with loads of benches that look across the busy junction towards the bridge, but there’s no real glimpse of the river to be had. You enter into the main bar area with the servery down the right-hand wall and a few limited seating options opposite. These include high tables and stools to the left and a padded bench booth at the rear, underneath a large display cabinet full of glasses, candles and not much else. The bar has a nice chunky modern counter with a part panelled, part tiled bar back, although it doesn’t have the most practical location, with a large pillar midway through the standing area, effectively dividing the ordering area around the bar into two, making things a little awkward when it gets a little busier. Past the end of the bar, you can pass through into the left-hand room, which seemed mainly geared towards dining but on a quieter evening, had a few spare tables for drinkers to spill over to. There’s a mix of padded benches, button backed banquettes and tartan cushioned chairs to choose from and the higher quality furniture is matched by decent decor and features including leaded front windows, dark painted walls countered by some bright light fixtures, an attractive stone surround fireplace and an ‘interesting’ portrait of a stag. A door leading into the kitchen at the rear of the room is screened by a very nice stained-glass partitioning screen. From the bar, there is access to a rear dining room – empty on this visit, but well stocked with basic tables and chairs in formal arrangements. Compared to the nicely decorated bar and side room, this space felt pretty bland and is probably best avoided where possible, although it does give access to the accommodation. Music played in the background, fighting a losing battle against the general hubbub of a mid-week evening crowd. No real surprises on the bar, with four handpulls offering Fullers London Pride (twice) and Summer Ale plus Dark Star Hophead. A friendly young barman served up a good pint of the latter, albeit at a depressing £5.20 for this 3.8% abv beer. Other Fullers products were available in keg and bottled form, but probably not at more wallet friendly prices. I didn’t really mind this place, despite it leaning heavily on passing trade and diners. The pub is smartly presented with some formal seating for those wanting to eat, but retains enough spaces for drinkers to settle down too. My main gripe would be the prices – whilst £5.00+ for a pint isn’t unusual for London, there are other pubs nearby and over the river that offer cheaper beer and better all-round experiences, so I’m not sure how likely I’d be to head back here again.

Once a large pub in a prominent spot at the Hampton Wick end of Kingston Bridge, this place is now primarily a hotel but still retaining a bar for non-residents. After passing through the large front patio area, the entrance is clearly marked on a solid wooden door which leads into a smaller than expected room with the bar along a side wall. Inside the overall feel as expected is rather corporate despite some decent features such as the Tudor style leaded windows with stone mullions, a large feature fireplace and a few framed bits about the River Thames and nearby Hampton Court Palace. Beyond the bar near a reception desk hangs a long sketch plan of the Thames (or Isis) from Oxford up to Putney. Most tables were set for food but not especially formally and there was no issue sitting if not eating. The place remains Fuller's branded and had Pride, Due South and Dark Star Hophead on handpump with two pumps missing clips. A perusal of the drinks menu on my table informed that Fuller's Imperial Stout is available in bottles, albeit at £14.15. It's fine to drop in for a quick pitstop as I did after walking along the river but unless planning a meal I wouldn't really consider this place as a venue for an evening's drinking.