The Victoria Inn, Richmond

June 2011 - little to add to my previous review, but Hobgoblin in good form at £ 3.30p with Youngs Ordinary and Doom Bar also on. One of Richmond's better pubs, but it was desperately quiet last night ( Thursday ) and you do fear for this pub's future sometimes. I do hope it can keep going May 2009 visit Small, traditional, cosy, single bar pub near the bottom of Hill Rise, a road that climbs up towards the famous view over Petersham Meadows and then up to the Richmond Gate entrance to Richmond Park. It's a bit like drinking in someone's sitting room. Conversation rules here - there's no distractions such as fruit machines or music. There were 3 real ales on last week - Youngs Ordinary, London Pride and Hobgoblin. My London Pride was served in a Greene King glass with England Rugby branding and wasn't brilliant, but was acceptable. I don't think there's a lot of real ale trade. The Victoria Inn is in the Enterprise Inns pubco stable, I think, although this is not indicated on the pub sign. The pub has a small attractive garden and smoking area out at the back. The corridor to the garden is covered with posters of theatrical shows held over the years at the nearby Richmond Theatre. The pub is slightly off the Richmond circuit, so it's unlikely to get the Budweiser boneheads on Friday and Saturday evenings. It's worth considering if in the area, but, as it's only small, don't turn up mob-handed. Report this for removal

This is a positively tiny one-room pub that just must be a shop conversion, and which has the feeling of drinking in someone’s front room. I was in during early afternoon when there were just seven other punters – all local regulars it seems - in there, leaving just one table for me. It has a great 70s feel about it, with some cheap carpeting and small round beaten copper tables. The ale selection is as reported previously - Young’s Bitter, Doom Bar and Hobgoblin – but I didn’t see any sign of food or menus. The tiny outside garden is accessed through a door on the right, past the lavatories. I found this to be a very and homely place to stop off for a quiet pint. I would be quite happy to drop in for another one sometime.

A rather small single room, parlour style, with the bar on the end wall. The fireplace has a mirror over, and a high shelf runs around the room, containing various plates, jugs and so on. Wainscotting to the walls, a few old photos of the area and particularly the river. Carpeted, and upholstered banquettes around the front and one side wall. Tables are small, round and copper topped. There are also a couple of high stools at a drinking shelf. There is apparently a rear garden but I'm not sure how it is accessed, it might be up the stairs next to the bar (the pub is on a hill). There was a rather limited lunch menu advertised, simply chilli, chicken curry or veg lasagne, but stated to be home made and good value I'd say at between £4-£5. Sandwiches also available. A strange quirk was the frame containing a picture of the "Regular of the Month". The beer choice was Youngs Bitter, Doom Bar and Hobgoblin. It was pleasing to see the forthcoming "Cask Ale Week" being advertised. There is a TV over the bar in the corner, tuned to some radio channel, however this place doesn't strike me as a sports type of pub. It's friendly though and I was amused when an old couple by the door bade me farewell as I left.