The Telegraph, Putney Heath, SW15

Facebook page of The Telegraph - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Telegraph - www.facebook.com

This somewhat isolated location was the site of the area’s shutter – later semaphore – telegraph (Google it) from the late 18th to mid-19th century, predicated no doubt by the elevated topography. This has been a Brunning & Price joint since 2020, with a useless website gallery showing nothing but pictures of putative customers, but otherwise the interior is a rather fake ‘olde worlde’ number with a boarded floor with kilims, shades of blue and white colour scheme, conventional furniture with décor in the form of eclectic trendy prints, the ensemble exuding the feel of a hotel restaurant/bar, with young professional families dining, some with one or two hyperactive children in tow at near 9.00pm. An impressive cask lineup proffered Naked Ladies, Sussex Best, Wandle, Adnams Lighthouse, Boltmaker, Park Brewery’s Dark Mild, Brunning & Price (St. Austell) Traditional Bitter and Hophead at £2.85 a half and on top form, served by a smiley barmaid; the right-hand side of the bar exhibited three pumps dispensing cider, but questionably ‘real’. A traditional boozer this is not, but with the upper peripheral gallery this isn’t a bad place as far as this sort of thing goes, despite feral children, but the ale selection gets the score up; I’d use this place if I lived locally as it’s certainly better than the Green Man.

Brunning & Price establishment that can easily be reached from the nearby Tibbet's Corner bus stops. The interior is typical of its kind, with plenty of wood inside a spacious area. The bar is quite long and had 5 real ales on handpulls easily visible from the entrance door. Beers on were Wimbledon Copper Leaf, Twickenham Grandstand, Adnams Mosaic, Timothy Taylor Landlord & Gorgeous Gunpowder. A blackboard listing beers can be found above the bar, but the list didn't bear much relation to what was actually on offer. Further handpulls to the side of the bar had a number of cider pumpclips, but only SeaCider Christmas Pudding was actually on. I suspect that most customers come here for the food, but drinkers are equally welcome. Whilst it's a bit of a trek to get here, I do like the Brunning & Price chain and may well return if ever back in the area.

Official site of The Telegraph - www.brunningandprice.co.uk

Official site of The Telegraph - www.brunningandprice.co.uk

The Telegraph has been purchased by Brunning & Price and is due to reopen in April.

Peculiar pub, stranded off main roads in a semi-rural area in the middle of Putney Heath, yet only 100m from the Tibbet's Corner interchange beloved of the travel news. There is a noticeably laid-back feel in the main room, which has a large bar and a mixture of tables and sofas. Something does not feel quite right however: perhaps it is the squareness of the room and the high ceiling. Adjoining is a comfortable restaurant area, with numerous tables outside for the summer. There is a function room upstairs. Beers available at time of visit included London Pride, Tribute and By the Horns Transatlantic Cowboy, with no complaints about condition. Pleasant enough, although it could be even better. Served by the 424 bus from Putney or a short walk from the 93 route.