The Red Lion, Thames Ditton

At the moment is closed for a re-furb.

There was just the one ale on during my midweek lunchtime visit, and that was Courage Best, plus there were two unused handpumps. There were only three other punters in there, who were clearly local regulars. It seemed to be the sort of pub where locals would meet in a simple boozer, and is in stark contrast to the destination pub that is Ye Olde Swan down the road. The main furnishings were normal tables and chairs, although there were a couple of sofas, with the regulation low table between them, in front of the TV screen that was showing some daytime TV programme. There was also a small round table in the corner near the sofas with a few magazines on it, but of course not the London Drinker. This just doesn’t seem the sort of pub where dentist waiting room type magazines should have a place, but maybe they do get used at other times. The main room containing the bar counter has a very nice carpet, plus walls painted a sort of pinky red colour. That doesn’t sound like a very agreeable colour scheme for a pub, but actually didn’t look too bad. There was a separate room at the back containing a pool table; it looked the sort of room that might also have had a dartboard but I didn’t investigate that possibility. They don’t sell food, at least not on weekday lunchtimes – I guess Ye Olde Swan has cornered that market. This struck me as a decent locals’ boozer, and is the sort of unpretentious pub I like, but a better ale than Courage Best would make a welcome improvement.