The Lion, Teddington

Sad to report that this once excellent traditional style pub closed its doors just prior to Xmas. Regretably the landlord of some 3-4 years standing was unable to maintain the legacy of the previous owner who was able to win several CAMRA awards. Yes the beer was still good after he left, but something has definitely been missing in recent times. Let us hope that a buyer can be found to revive this very fine community pub. RIP - just for the time being I hope!

Randomness Guide to London - Lion entry

Randomness Guide to London - Lion entry

A deceptively large pub, apparently under recently new management. Not a bad range, Abbot Ale, London Pride, but also Brakspear Oxford Gold-the guest-Sharp's Doom Bar, and the local Twickenham Sundowner. Pool table in a seperate area, pull down screen assumed for sports events. A large array of bottled ales on display behind the bar. The beer was good, Blues bands are still advertised, bit foody; lets hope the new management maintain previous standards. No reason yet to suspect they won't.

This is another of those community backstreet pubs of which there were thousands in London thirty or so years ago, but now are becoming sufficiently rare to be worth seeking out. The Lion is a couple of hundred yards down a side street off the busy Kingston Rd. It’s larger than it seems from the outside, having been apparently extended at the rear on the left. This extension has a large skylight, making it a very bright place to sit. There’s an outside smoking and drinking area at the back. This is a clean and very comfortable pub; carpeted throughout and with normal tables and chairs plus a couple of sofas at the back. All the tables sported a small vase with a few carnations in them; this is not the sort of thing that impresses me overly, but is nonetheless a nice touch and is indicative of somewhere that is well cared for. There are numerous photographs and prints on the walls, including a number of Australia – I even spotted a photograph of a galah. The real ales on were London Pride; Doom Bar; Twickenham Winter cheer; and Itchen Valley Godfather, plus a draught cider. Predictably I went for the Godfather, which was a 3.8% session beer, at £3.05 a pint. Monday would have been a good day to visit as they have something called a “Monday Club”, whereby all the ales are £2.50 a pint all day. The inevitable Guinness sponsored St Patrick’s Day decorations were out in force, and they were also playing Irish music. But as I was in there actually on St Patrick’s Day I suppose that’s a fair cop, and I can put up with it for one day. Leaving aside the St Patrick’s Day shenanigans, I really like this pub and will definitely visit again at some time.

This is a pub that is definitely worth a visit and I am going to return and try their Sunday lunches. The landlord/landlady are very friendly and welcoming and definitely interested in serving up tip top condition ales (Twickenham "Sundancer" was one of 5 real ales available on my visit). There is a garden out the back that has BBQ's and has wheelchair access.Also has a pool/Snooker table in the side bar. 2 minutes walk from buses 281 and 285. A must for people who like a drink in comfort.ps check out his collection of beer bottles behind the bar

Very friendly traditional street corner local in a very desirable area. has won many local CAMRA awards.Up to 5 real ales on tap with a beer from Twickenham Ales always available.The Gov'nor is very proud of his beer bottle display behind the bar.This pub is very well worth a visit.