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The Magpie, Lower Sunbury, Sunbury-On-Thames
Sunbury-On-Thames
TW16 6AF
Pub Type
Metropolitan Pub Co (Greene King)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Magpie
A very old building with a few good original features but slightly spoilt by an unsympathetic refurb somewhen in the past. As previously described, the bar is down a few steps from the street entrance, with an upstairs room labelled 'restaurant' that I have never noticed in use. There are two slightly dark rooms, connected by a random arched viewing hole, with the bar to the left. They both open out onto the nice plant-filled riverside terrace, which is also accessible down a side alley. The inside decor is looking a bit worn and in need of some attention however. Beerwise, a bank of handpumps offered just IPA and Tribute, although the latter proved to actually be Yardbird but they evidently didn't have the right clip. I still haven't quite worked that one out, but not that it mattered, as the barrel expired after one slightly unpleasant pint. The IPA was marginally better but still not great, and I will refrain from detailing the numerous failings of the food in favour of issuing a general caution. All in all, rather disappointing and could be so much better. I will begrudgingly score a 6 for the riverside setting and the general potential, but they need to get their act together.
On 1st September 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Magpie
This is still owned by Greene King under the stewardship of Metropolitan. The main drinking bar is down a few stairs below street level and has several distinct areas including the outside terrace facing the river.Ales on were Greene King IPA of course along with Sambrooks Pumphouse Porter, Southwark Havard and Twickenham Naked Ladies which was decent,costing £4.20 for the pint, a fifth handle had a turned clip.I didn't find the pub overly gloomy as previously mentioned, the walls were painted in a pale grey with some exposed brick around the fireplace. The only thing I found to detract from the charm of the pub was the single TV screen with Sky News on , it was however muted and not a great distraction. A decent pub.
On 20th January 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tom Fairburn left this review about The Magpie
'The Magpie' is an interesting subterranean bar, yes a little dark when you first enter, but charming none-the-less. I have eaten in here & the food was adequate, and outside is quite pleasant on a sunny day, if you can find a table over-looking the brief section of River Thames, it is a haven away from the hussle & bussle that is Sunbury-X or that urban end of town! I would love to have The Maggie as my local, or indeed 'The Phoenix' 50yds along the same section of road (...that's handy)! Maybe some day I will 'upgrade' and move to Lower Sunbury to benefit from these two 'jewels' of pubs...! One day... :o) TJ
On 21st April 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 78 recommendations about 59 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Magpie
Excellent description of the bar by Rex Rattus below. Multi level building with a terrace overlooking the river. 5 real ales and food served.
On 13th March 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Magpie
This is still a Greene King pub, pub when I visited last week they also had on Brain’s Milkwood as a guest ale, and an excellent pint it was too. The food menu includes (or at least it did on Friday lunchtime) a two meals for £9.95 meal deal. The food was a decent standard for the price.
The pub itself has an imposing pillared entrance, and once inside you have stairs leading down to the Riverside Bar, or up to a first floor bar/dining area (which was closed during my visit). I thought the Riverside Bar was quite gloomy as not much natural light gets in from the outside. The main part of this room is bare-boarded with varnished boards, and furnished with normal tables and chairs. But there’s a small “library” area to the left as you come down the stairs, which is carpeted and contains the pub’s complement of sofas. So, the bar area is fairly ordinary, but it leads outside to a seating area with outstanding views of the river.
The outstanding feature of this pub is the outside terrace, which must be delightful on a nice day. But I bet it gets crowded.
On 11th March 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Blue left this review about The Magpie
This pub was the original home of the Grand Order of Water Rats, and has an upstairs bar now seemingly used for functions, and the downstairs bar (formerly the Water Rats' Bar) leads on to an outside terrace by the Thames, at which you can moor if travelling by boat.
Now a Greene King house, with five ale pumps today serving GK IPA, Abbott, and St. Edmunds, Old Speckled Hen, and Westgate Ale Fresco (rather tasty) as a guest. The food seems pretty reasonably priced for the area (and is served 11am-10pm) though I've not eaten here for a while. It is a pleasant place for a beer and/or a meal by the river, but lacks the character it used to have.
On 31st May 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Noel Hawkins left this review about The Magpie
Tends to be a younger crowd but nice decoration and good (though small) seating area overlooking the river Thames and nice in the evenings.
On 4th March 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 10 recommendations about 10 pubs]