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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
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The Sussex Arms, Twickenham
Twickenham
TW2 5BG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Sussex Arms
This pub dates from at least the 1870s but was probably rebuilt in the ‘30s, possibly to the designs of John T. Quilter, attractive – despite the immediate location – with fine kitsch period barrel pole sign; the Ale & Cider lettering probably a modern affectation, possibly half-inched from the Southampton?
Well described by BF below, the pub is the proud holder of a *-star heritage rating from CAMRA, where photos of the interior can be seen, the pub’s somewhat corporate website hardly doing the place justice. Despite the modern boarded floor, the interior is rather lovely, recalling a chivalric Arthurian era, the desquamation of age lovingly nurtured, dark exposed members surrounding nogging, natural wood field panelling, a traditional and no doubt original bar array (see photo), leaded lights depicting heraldic stained glass; décor takes the form of eclectic prints including well-deserved framed CAMRA citations and equally miscellaneous knickknacks, all illuminated by suitably period Wellington lanterns; a small TV showed unobtrusive and unwatched football (so sadly no Hipgnosis artwork) and the lavs wouldn’t look out of place in a modern hotel; customers were few at 9.38pm on a sunny Tuesday, though a bunch turfed up once the footie had finished.
With a cask selection which affords the pub the reverence of a Mayan sun god, on the conveyor belt last Tuesday night: Oakham Citra, Penpol Citra, Brew York Pale, Oakham Superdelic, Anarchy Citra Star, Wye Valley HPA, Oakham Inferno, Harvey’s Sussex Best, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker, Big Smoke Solaris, Five Points Railway Porter, By the Horns Ripcord and Thornbridge Jaipur, £3.00 a half (no CAMRA discount offered) and excellent, served by a friendly barmaid; there were six pumps dispensing questionably real ciders, at least one not ‘real’: Lilley’s Mango.
My only point of contention – noted by BF – is the overwhelming focus on pale beers; I had no idea there were so many takes on Citra, the only dark beer being the Railway Porter. Nevertheless, despite the slog to get here, this is a must-visit London pub, making for a great double with the Rifleman.
On 29th June 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Sussex Arms
A suburban ale house,the exterior still shows three doors but the interior has been opened out ,and only the middle door gives way to the tap room.It's all classic 30's interior with lots of wood panelling,a long bar immediately ahead and a good brick fireplace to the right.The larger fireplace to the left is now a seating alcove ,while elsewhere there are lots of drinking shelves and high stools.A fitted bench in light brown leather arrangement to the right is a comfortable seating area.The stained glass in the front windows is a noteable feature.
Outside at the front is a seating area,while there is also a beer garden out the back.The large flatscreen and moveable screens will show sport,the soundtrack was rock standards and it's a proper boozer in a scruffy part of Twickenham.Pub grub food is served (median £15)and there is a cheaper lunchtime menu ,daily meal deals offering value.
The star here is the ale from 21 gleaming handpumps,it's a Big Smoke pub offering on my trip their Solaris along with Harvey's Sussex Bitter,Brentwood Lumberjack,VOG Well Drawn Summer IPA,Portobello Summer Blonde,Vocation Bread & Butter,Thornbridge Jaipur IPA,Oakham Citra and a very good By the Horns Hopadelic (£5.05 with a CAMRA discount offered without enquiry by the cheeky barmaid).
There are 5 real ciders and perry along with 15 keg taps offering another 4 Big Smoke beers,and a mix of continental lagers plus Guiness.
There were a lot of unused handpumps on my Wednesday afternoon visit and the only fly in the ointment was a focus on those that were drawing of a lot of pale ,blonde and golden ale and not much dark .
With the ceiling covered in handpump clips there will always be something here worth quaffing ,I liked the atmosphere and would happily return.The pub sign featuring a beer tun is a nice touch .Worth the hack out of the town centre.
On 4th August 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Sussex Arms
Was making a weekend of it for one of the recent Rugby Autumn internationals and without any intervention from me the good lady managed to book accommodation where we had to walk past the Sussex Arms to get to Twickenham Stadium. Consequently we utilised the pub pre-match, post-match and were back in for Sunday lunch the day after.
Pleasantly surprised to find all 20 pumps in operation for our Saturday visits and, although a few were doubled up, there was still 11 ales and 4 ciders available.
Alongside the Big Smoke Solaris and Underworld and the regular Harvey’s Best there was Citra and Heights of Oblivion from Oakham, Five Points XPA, Gorgeous Brewery Gunpowder IPA, Thornbridge Jaipur, Southwark Brewing Mayflower Session IPA, Exeter Brewery Falls Over and Ascot Brewing Anastasia Stout.
I tried the two Oakham brews and the Anastasia stout and they were all kept well, but the Oakham Citra was in particularly excellent form.
A couple of the other ales had gone by the Sunday lunchtime, but not the Citra which continued to be excellent, as was our Sunday lunches. And then on top of this the backing music comes from a turntable at the end of the bar by the coffee machine and the pubs collection of vinyl. But for this lunchtime the manager had brought in Pink Floyd Dark side of the Moon and Led Zep IV from his own collection. Happy days..
On 25th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2236 recommendations about 2098 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Sussex Arms
Last night was my first visit to the Sussex Arms since pubs have been allowed to open this year.
There are still a couple of tables at the front where you can drink, whilst most people walk through the L-shaped pub itself to the outdoor area at the rear.
The patio and garden are quite large here. Whilst we couldn't get a booking last week, there was plenty of space on a Monday night for walk-ins. The patio area is undercover and next to the kitchen. It is undercover with tables nearest the pub benefitting from heaters. Beyond is a garden area with plenty of tables, albeit much more exposed.
The ale and cider range was slightly more limited than in normal times, but it was still decent. Regular beers are Big Smoke Solaris & Underworld, alongside Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter. Guests yesterday were Portobello Stiff Lip IPA, Ascot Gold Cup, Northern Monk Eternal, Kent Prohibition, Five Points XPA, Burning Sky Plateau & Oakham Citra. The 4 ciders were Lilley's Strawberry Cider, Seacider White Peach, Farmer Jim's Medium Farmhouse Scrumpy & Pulp Rhubarb Cider.
Use of the Big Smoke app is encouraged, although it was playing up a little yesterday and staff were happy to take orders at the table. Unfortunately, there still doesn't seem to be a way to use the loyalty cards that the chain used to have, where every 10th pint was free.
Still one of the most reliable pubs in London.
On 27th April 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Sussex Arms
Splendid beer exhibition pub run by the Big Smoke brewery. An impressive bank of 20 handpumps serves a wide selection of ales and ciders including a few of their own and numerous changing guests from the region and further afield, plus various craft keg taps also. Condition of those sampled was excellent. The pub itself is a well-worn 1930s-ish house with lots of original features, nicely unmodernised and pleasingly tatty round the edges. There is a covered patio and garden at the rear. Recommended.
On 5th August 2020
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Sussex Arms
A good traditional pub with an extensive array of ales on offer backed up a selection of real cider,5 on my visit.Bare floorboards throughout and dark much in evidence all around gives the place a basic yet very effective feel.Most of the beers on my visit were plus 5% which is OK but not what I was really looking for at just after mid-day and second pub in,so was left with a choice between Darkstar Partridge which is the most ordinary beer they do in my opinion so I went for Binghams Hop Harvest which was a little hazy and lacking in flavour,that aside it is a good pub and nice to see and hear a vinyl record playing in the background. A pub certainly worth returning to but I think I prefer its sister pub the Antelope in Surbiton based on this visit.
On 10th October 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Sussex Arms
Much has been made of this destination ale house since it reopened almost three years ago, so it was good to finally make my long overdue maiden visit last month. The pub has a slightly off-the-beaten-track location, close to the pleasant Twickenham Green, but far enough away from the station and natural path of the rugby-going masses to ensure that it doesn’t get too badly mobbed when there’s a game on up the road. The place has a fairly traditional feel to it, with a broad main bar to the front accessed via a nice stained glass porch with the servery directly opposite. The room is bare boarded and has some particularly appealing curved banquettes in each of the two front bay windows. The servery has plenty of dark wood, including an attractive shelf for the empty glasses, supported by nicely worked wooden pillars. The walls are three quarter panelled, with the space above filled by the inevitable swathe of pump clips which have also spilled over onto the ceiling. The left hand side of the room has a nice, small brick fireplace with a couple of low padded benches either side, as well as a book swap on the rear wall. A door here leads you into a second room, which looks a lot smarter than the main bar. The walls here are tiled and there are some comfy looking modern seating options to choose from. Doors to the rear lead out to a nice paved garden with plenty of typical bench seating. I didn’t notice anyone eating, but blackboards announced the availability of Sunday roasts, although a pie menu suffices for the rest of the week. Music played in the background throughout my stay and I noticed a turntable behind the bar with a stack of vinyl next to it.
The rather daunting row of hand pumps that greet you as soon as you enter, were dispensing XT 6 and 7, Twickenham Sundancer, Bingham’s Brickwork Bitter and Hot Dog Stout, Roosters Astro, Great Heck Citra, Arbor Bravo, Late Knights Hop of the Morning and Wild Beer Co Fresh, with six real ciders and perries occupying the left hand bank of pumps. I tried the Astro, which was pretty good, but not quite as sparkling as I’d hoped for. The staff were extremely courteous and very helpful, answering endless questions about beer styles.
I was expecting a bit of a ‘beer tickers’ feel to this place, but was pleased to see a good clientele mix relaxing in a traditional pub environment. The beer range is the undoubted star here, but it doesn’t feel like it’s the only reason to visit, which is not always an easy balance to get right. I think this should rightly be regarded as one of London’s finest.
On 3rd June 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Sussex Arms
It seems impossible that this beer and cider festival sort of place was once a humble Bass Charrington pub. It is an unashamed imitation of the likes of the Southampton Arms in Gospel Oak. Happily it has a bit more room than that establishment. In common with those pubs on the other side of London they play vinyl LPs. I had a Eureka moment half way through my second pint as to why these vinyl records never seem to be scratched as I remember from back in the day. The reason is because the records are such a load of crap that they only ever get played once and rarely all the way through. The record pn my visit was what sounded like Otis Redding's Greatest Hits, a record that seemed to go on far longer than it should.
Of the eighteen pumps six have cider and the rest have beers which could be just about anything. I noticed beers from Windsor & Eton and Belleville but none from Twickenham. All beers were priced at £3.60 apart from the silly (8.5%) one. I went for the Wild Beer Company Madness IPA which was in good nick
apart from a haze and with a 6.8% ABV good value. I then went for the silly option at £4.00 a pint in the form of Arbor Tiny The Welder. This was a Double American IPA that sadly was cloudy but tasted OK.
Because of the beer and cider selection it's a great place, but I have doubts about it given that neither of my two pints were clear.
On 3rd May 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Kate Gowers left this review about The Sussex Arms
Once upon a time, pubs were places where the people provided the entertainment - not fruit machines, not large screen TVs, but people. Perhaps some live music, a game of shove ha'penny, a pint or three and lively conversation. Once upon a time has come again at the Sussex Arms.
This pub, just off Twickenham Green harks back to the old days. There are up to 12 (I think) real ales on offer and six real ciders. The ales vary constantly and there is no one 'regular' ale. Just a different selection, even from tiny microbreweries, every day. All draught beer and cider is (as of this writing) £3.50 a pint and they operate a superb loyalty card scheme. Buy 9 beers, get the 10th for free. I use mine regularly.
The food is good, though slightly pricey. The pies are made by AJ and are usually excellent, though the last couple I've had were slightly less good than usually (slightly over cooked meat and pastry).
The atmosphere is lovely. It is an old-fashioned pub - no posh gastro seating here. A long bar displays the plethora of ales on offer and also hides the record player (yep, vinyl) that supplies any recorded (as opposed to live) music. There is a large, decently tended garden.
There is live music many evenings. Again, like with the beer, there is something for (nearly) every taste. I attend with friends every second Monday for the Sessioneers (yep, not a great name, but you get the jist) - acoustic rock, folk, rock n roll and the like. You can also find Irish music, bluegrass, blues - whatever (older) music takes your fancy (I've never seen hip hop or the like, thankfully).
The clientèle varies from the stereotypical real ale drinker (beardy, male, older - including a guy who is the spit of Walder Frey from Game of Thrones) through to younger families and singles.
All in all, a pub I thoroughly recommend.
On 9th September 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 2 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Sussex Arms
I had been told in hushed tones about this ale and cider mecca at the Nags Head, so thought I’d better pop along and see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately for me I visited it on a whim coming back off a crawl from London and – unwittingly – managed to hit the immediate aftermath of the army and navy games. Anyhow after dodging the wasteland and inebriates, it took about 15 minutes from the station to get here on foot. On entering, it was rammed. We were lucky to nab a small table that came vacant just as we arrived. Eighteen pumps dispensing real ale and proper cider/perry apparently, though the bar was so packed we had no way of counting them all. Quantity, of course, does not necessarily relate to quality however most of what we tried was in a good state if not quite tip-top. Staff were young, enthusiastic and trying their best though I think an older, wiser head to steady the pace a little would have helped. Inevitably, the clips from beers past were snaking round the ceiling which is de rigueur in destination ale pubs these days. There was what looked like a proper fire, some banquette seating, dark wood panelling and large potted plants. A number of high-up stained windows sensibly swing open so the atmosphere was not as hot and stuffy as it perhaps could have been. There’s a slight fake-Tudor feel to the place, ‘like a Berni Inn’ or so my semi-legible email to myself says anyway. As noted by Mr Bonser the bus right outside the door so if you are on an all-day Travelcard, the skip back to the Reading-Waterloo line is fairly easy if you aren’t inclined to walk back to Twickenham BR. So all-in-all, quite impressive; I imagine I’ll be darkening its doors again before long.
On 30th April 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]