The White Hart Hotel, Kingston Upon Thames

Located directly opposite the bridge over the Thames to Kingston, this is a pretty imposing pub and hotel, currently operated by Fullers. Out front, there’s a large seating area with loads of benches that look across the busy junction towards the bridge, but there’s no real glimpse of the river to be had. You enter into the main bar area with the servery down the right-hand wall and a few limited seating options opposite. These include high tables and stools to the left and a padded bench booth at the rear, underneath a large display cabinet full of glasses, candles and not much else. The bar has a nice chunky modern counter with a part panelled, part tiled bar back, although it doesn’t have the most practical location, with a large pillar midway through the standing area, effectively dividing the ordering area around the bar into two, making things a little awkward when it gets a little busier. Past the end of the bar, you can pass through into the left-hand room, which seemed mainly geared towards dining but on a quieter evening, had a few spare tables for drinkers to spill over to. There’s a mix of padded benches, button backed banquettes and tartan cushioned chairs to choose from and the higher quality furniture is matched by decent decor and features including leaded front windows, dark painted walls countered by some bright light fixtures, an attractive stone surround fireplace and an ‘interesting’ portrait of a stag. A door leading into the kitchen at the rear of the room is screened by a very nice stained-glass partitioning screen. From the bar, there is access to a rear dining room – empty on this visit, but well stocked with basic tables and chairs in formal arrangements. Compared to the nicely decorated bar and side room, this space felt pretty bland and is probably best avoided where possible, although it does give access to the accommodation. Music played in the background, fighting a losing battle against the general hubbub of a mid-week evening crowd. No real surprises on the bar, with four handpulls offering Fullers London Pride (twice) and Summer Ale plus Dark Star Hophead. A friendly young barman served up a good pint of the latter, albeit at a depressing £5.20 for this 3.8% abv beer. Other Fullers products were available in keg and bottled form, but probably not at more wallet friendly prices. I didn’t really mind this place, despite it leaning heavily on passing trade and diners. The pub is smartly presented with some formal seating for those wanting to eat, but retains enough spaces for drinkers to settle down too. My main gripe would be the prices – whilst £5.00+ for a pint isn’t unusual for London, there are other pubs nearby and over the river that offer cheaper beer and better all-round experiences, so I’m not sure how likely I’d be to head back here again.

Once a large pub in a prominent spot at the Hampton Wick end of Kingston Bridge, this place is now primarily a hotel but still retaining a bar for non-residents. After passing through the large front patio area, the entrance is clearly marked on a solid wooden door which leads into a smaller than expected room with the bar along a side wall. Inside the overall feel as expected is rather corporate despite some decent features such as the Tudor style leaded windows with stone mullions, a large feature fireplace and a few framed bits about the River Thames and nearby Hampton Court Palace. Beyond the bar near a reception desk hangs a long sketch plan of the Thames (or Isis) from Oxford up to Putney. Most tables were set for food but not especially formally and there was no issue sitting if not eating. The place remains Fuller's branded and had Pride, Due South and Dark Star Hophead on handpump with two pumps missing clips. A perusal of the drinks menu on my table informed that Fuller's Imperial Stout is available in bottles, albeit at £14.15. It's fine to drop in for a quick pitstop as I did after walking along the river but unless planning a meal I wouldn't really consider this place as a venue for an evening's drinking.

Occupying a prominent position by a mini roundabout at the end of Kingston Bridge ( Middlesex side ) is The White Hart Hotel, a large imposing mock – Tudor brick built Fullers pub / hotel. The attractive exterior also features leaded windows and a fine large oak door which leads into the main bar. On the right, an archway has vehicular access and leads to parking for residents. Accommodation is provided in what is clearly an extension at the back of the original building. The main bar is comfortably furnished, but with that definite nondescript style and feel of a hotel bar. This feeling is enhanced by the appearance of a barman wearing white shirt, collar and tie – who I presumed to be the Head Barman – and the inevitable surly corporate black shirted female “ Olga from the Volga” types. A pleasant outside patio at the front enables you to watch the busy traffic negotiating the mini roundabout. Three large flags fly from flagpoles at the front of this patio – a Fullers “Griffin” flag, the European Union Flag and a Union Jack that, unfortunately, looked distinctly tatty and faded. The London Pride was predictably expensive at £ 3.40p, but was really quite good. If you like hotel bars, you’ll probably like this place.

Randomness Guide to London - White Hart entry

Randomness Guide to London - White Hart entry

Definitely felt like what it undoubtedly is - a hotel bar, not a pub. But, having said that, the pint of ESB that I had was in top condition (I didn't try the other Fuller's ales) and it was served in a branded glass that looked like a pint version of the sort of glass you give a girl who asks for a half. Most odd, but made a change. Give me a straight glass any time. The food was OK - the "crusty" bread used for my sandwich was ordinary supermarket sliced white, but I got a decent portion of chips instead of crisps with it, so reckon I broke even. A decent enough comfortable watering hole for a swift pint and a bite, but not the sort of place in which I would choose to spend an evening.

I recently paid my first visit here in the best part of 20 years since I lived in the area and I can't believe that I was in the same place. What was once a decent and spacious pub has turned into little more than a hotel bar. From the outside the place is very appealing with it large patio, mock Tudor gables and latticed windows. The interior is pleasant enough and comfy with flowers on tables and lounge areas although some of the cushions look like they had been made by the local women from the OAP home. The first bit of the pub when you walk through the doors is more geared for diners which immediately makes you feel a bit awkward if you are just here for a few drinks. The stone floor bar area beyond is the only bit of the pub that it felt right to drink in but was fairly small and I felt uneasy taking a seat elsewhere in case the tables were reserved for diners. The neatly uniformed staff were constantly prowling as if they were waiting for someone to stray into no mans land so they could pounce. The beers were pretty decent (Fullers range – ESB, Swing Low & Pride on my visit) but this is such a far cry from how I remembered the place that I wish I just kept the memories.