Roebuck, Richmond

Being back in Richmond we decided to take the climb up Richmond Hill, primarily to enjoy the views and see the house where Mick and Bianca Jagger lived (even when they were estranged) but secondly safe in the knowledge that the Roebuck was at the top and I wanted to see if it was still an excellent pub post covid. And very pleased to report it is.. Still got the bank of six hand pumps on the small bar side facing you as you enter, but I spotted three more on the side that leads to the toilets on the left which I had not spotted on previous visits, so I am not sure if they are new or not. Five ales and two ciders were on and alongside the house GK Abbot there was Oakham Citra, Thames Side Brewery Harrier Bitter, Exeter Brewery Fraid Not and something badged as Roebuck Best Bitter, which I wasn’t sure if it was a brew from the Derbyshire based Roebuck Brewery, of something from GK badged for the pub. We didn’t bother to enquire as we only had eyes for the Citra and the Fraid Not and they were both in excellent condition. Being blessed with a superb weather afternoon we took the beers to the terrace on the other side of the road. The view is so good from here that it is almost worth suffering plastic glasses for.

A surprisingly nice pub in a prime location up on Richmond Hill, enjoying the classic view of the river below. It is multi-roomed, with lots of ins and outs, generally low-ceilinged and full of historic-looking features. There is a tiny feel of corporateness, probably from the standardised menus and condiment sets, but somehow it is just a very good pub. On handpump were IPA and Abbot of course, but also Wandle, Oakham Citra and Exeter Lighterman, plus Old Rosie cider. (Tip - take a 371 bus up to the top to avoid the climb and walk back down!)

In an area where people walk past you wearing a set of togs that cost more than I would earn in a week, I was a bit apprehensive about what I’d find here especially when I clocked the Greene King livery outside. But fear not – this is run by a friendly, old-skool pair whose style means that some of the more upmarket customers reign themselves in a bit. Inside has been modernised fairly tastefully and retains a tight, multi-area’d and low-ceilinged layout. A big selling point is the view from the front window, as you sit atop Richmond Hill overlooking the flatlands to the Thames below (‘World Heritage listed’, I am reliably informed). You can also take your beer out to the bench opposite. GBG22 listed and there were four cask on, the two most interesting were Wimbledon Copper Leaf (NBSS 4) and Exeter Darkness (3.5), the latter of which the landlord recommended as he poured the Wimbledon – he clearly saw us for what we were! Had a bit of chat with him as he served, something you don’t get much of these days. Food is inevitably a big seller here but it stays the right side of the line from being a full-on gastropub, drinkers are very welcome. So this one is well-worth the shoe leather to try-out, good beer and good atmosphere.

This is a really nicely presented gastro pub at the top of Richmond Hill which still manages to cater fairly well for those just wanting to stop in for a drink. The pub has a two bar set-up with a number of separate seating areas created by partitioning walls and screens, which give the place a sense of comfort and cosiness. You enter into the main front bar with a sizeable seating area to the left in what almost feels like a self-contained space with three or four tables hemmed in between the porch and a partitioning wall. The main part of the room is a bare boarded corridor-like space with drinking ledges and high tables served by bar stools. There is a small servery to the rear with a tongue and groove panelled counter, etched glass mirror with an image of the titular roebuck, and a nice canopy lined with what appeared to be old theatre programmes. To the right, hidden by partitioning screens, the room opens out into a carpeted dining area with standard tables and chairs, plain painted walls and some corporate promotional blackboards, plus a fireplace on the end wall with another nice etched glass mirror above it, this time depicting the image of a stag’s head. The left side of the pub is also carpeted and runs beyond the servery into a rear lounge full of banquette and chair seating options under bare brick walls decorated with old black and white photos of the local area. There’s a nice brick fireplace in one corner and as with much of the pub aside from the central ‘corridor’, most people seemed to be eating. I wasn’t expecting a great deal on the beer front, so was surprised to find a good row of handpulls dispensing Wimbledon Copper Leaf, Greene King Abbot Ale, Downton New Forest Ale, Exeter Avocet Ale, Thameside Wryneck Rye and Ascot 5/4 Favourite along with two real ciders. I took a punt on the 5/4 Favourite, which was in peak condition and easily lasted the distance, yet still left me £4.50 out of pocket. Despite the clear focus on food, I thought this was a really nice, comfortable pub with a warm, cosy feel to it, making it an ideal pit-stop after the walk up Richmond Hill or a day out in Richmond Park. The varied ale selection added to the pub’s appeal and I’d be more than happy stopping off here again the next time I’m passing by.

Greene King pub in the GBG. Enough staff to deal with the hordes of undecided, perusing the options available but clogging the bar. Mainly setup for dining but a nice row of high stools, with a view over Petersham Meadows. Just had to move the kids trike out the way first. Beer was very good - perfect Oakham Citra - the colour of which had to be seen to be believed.

Official site of The Roebuck - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The Roebuck - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

This pub offers the classic Turner view from Richmond Hill down over the Thames,magnificent.Don't be put off by the Greene King signage ,there is lots of interest inside.The low ceiling by the entrance gives immediate character and there are lots of nooks and crannies around the interior.All the front windows give great views as will the first floor bar and dining area.The furniture is traditional apart from some high tables close to the two sided bar.The back section has high backed settles,and despite food being available this doesn't dominate and just drinking is fine. Several handpumps are double clipped and on my visit the options were regulars GK IPA and Abbott with guests Oakham Citra,Downton New Forest Ale,Welton Heatwave,Thames Side Egyptian Goose and Wimbledon SW17 in decent nick.There is also handpumped Old Rosie Cider. I welcome the fact that rather than infesting the interior with huge corporate menus with food photos,the menu in The Roebuck is a plain sheet of paper with a selection of pub grub staples priced £9-£14 with a median £12 which seems reasonable for such a honey pot site.Muzak was playing at a background level ,there are no flatscreens or fruit machines and there was a friendly welcome behind the bar.It's rightly in the 2019 GBG,is probably the best real ale pub in Richmond and really should be visited when in the area.I will most certainly be back.

Located slightly away from the town centre towards Richmond Park, first impressions weren’t great with a Greene King sign outside, so I was expecting the usual bland selection of IPA, Abbott Ale and some variety or other of Old Hen. Needs must though, and as this was the last stop before our hotel we ventured in, only to be pleasantly surprised and to find that this is currently Richmond’s Camra branch Pub of the Year as the friendly barman cheerfully explained. Décor wise it is perhaps a little generic, having no doubt suffered from renovations at some point that removed much of the original character, but it is nonetheless all very inoffensive and certainly not unpleasant. Although essentially all one open plan room, various partitions and pillars created some cosy areas within. Dark wooden flooring was laid down the centre of the pub with carpet off to either side, whilst the paintwork was predominantly cream with dark wood panelling in places. A few old pictures of the locale were dotted around the walls and a small fireplace was off to one side, although it’s a shame that this was not lit and a cold December evening. A smaller room at the rear had a TV screen showing a sports fixture, although we did not investigate this. Beers on tap were Oakham Citra, Sambrook’s Powerhouse, Surrey Hills’ Sheer Drop, Dark Star Hophead, Wimbledon Copper Leaf and in a token representation of the owner’s own brews, Greene King IPA. Interestingly even this had only been on for about a month after they apparently insisted that the pub carry at least one of their range. Ciders meanwhile were Aspall’s Suffolk and Weston’s Old Rosie.