User name:

Password:

Login


Sign in with Facebook


Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW


Chat about:
New pub visits 2024 with Brainypool on the Pub Forum

Tap on the Line, Richmond

Kew Gardens Railway Station, Station Parade
Kew
Postal town: Richmond
TW9 3PZ
Phone: 02083321162

Return to pub summary

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about Tap on the Line

Converted from an early part of the station buildings, with an impressive iron conservatory addition, this is now a slightly upmarket local for the slightly upmarket locals, plus homegoing visitors to Kew Gardens. The colourful bar is backed with toilet-style tiling and decorated with bogus railwayana, while the conservatory has some flashy artwork. Trains pass the windows, which overlook the platform, while on the street side there is a tabled patio area. A Fullers pub for some years, with a fair range of Fullers beers - London Pride, Olivers Island, Seafarers, Hophead and the seasonal Jack Frost. A small clump of craft taps offer the likes of Beavertown, Meantime and Four Pure. Prices ranged from £5.05 for Pride up to £6.70 for some of the craft. Not bad to stop off at if passing but overall it seems to be trying too hard.

On 17th November 2021 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about Tap on the Line

There are two interconnected areas linked by an arched opening plus a pair of arched "windows". You enter into a glass conservatory with a high curved ceiling and an end wall covered in framed pictures of the like of Stevenson's Rocket, birdlife and other random stuff. This looks to be a designated dining area, plenty were enjoying meals on a Saturday afternoon. Through the arch is the bar, on a side wall with a white tiled back with green banding, a large mirror and an original looking station clock from the L&SWR Co. The same lettering is integrated with the tiles further along. This area was once the station buffet and has a very high open vaulted ceiling.
Seating is mixed, standard issue in the conservatory diner but high tables opposite the bar plus armchairs and sofas. Large windows allow views of the passing trains and let in plenty of light, useful on a dreadful day weather wise. Of note is a large scale model crane dangling a filament light bulb from the crane jaws.
It's a Fullers pub these days, two banks of handpumps offering repeats of Pride and Oliver's Island, Red Fox on another plus guest Butcombe Bitter allegedly "coming soon". A handful of keg taps sit on the back wall of the bar. Food looks good and is clearly popular.
As Fullers tend to be, expensive, I think I paid £4.45 for my Red Fox but it's not a bad spot and has the added interest of being on the station even if there is no direct platform access.

On 12th November 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Real Ale Ray left this review about Tap on the Line

A compact and well run pub, which was well staffed on our Sunday afternoon visit. Six handpumps, with four from Fullers, we went for the a guest Notting Hill Amber and Fullers London Pride. The pub also serves Sunday lunch and was busy with diners around the conservatory.

On 6th November 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3378 recommendations about 3378 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Tap on the Line

First re-visit since the Fuller's takeover of the former Railway and subsequent renaming. The high-ceilinged bar area is still housed in one of the original station buildings, but the conservatory-style infill section is now laid out as a dining room. Refurbished with gastro-pub furniture, and some of the decor has a L&SWR theme (but also look out for the two unusual wall lights made from brass taps). Relaxing background music, but a bit cold inside following a frosty morning. Patio beer garden in the small front courtyard. Four of six handpumps in operation, dispensing Pride, ESB, the seasonal Jack Frost and Butcombe Christmas Steps (£4.10) as a guest on this visit. Has also gained five craft keg taps on the wall behind the servery, plus Honeydew and Black Cab stout amongst the offerings from the normal shiny fonts on the counter.

On 1st January 2015 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john gray left this review about The Railway

I do like the design of this pub.They have a bar area and the extension seems to be for dining. Lots of glass and an attractive frontage. Seven handpump with Fullers range of beers and a lovely guest beer from Brodies. In the days of steam it would be nice to see the trains arrive through the big glass windows but tube trains - not so much fun.Still a good but pricey pub.

On 23rd December 2013 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve of N21 left this review about The Railway

Has now reopened after a fairly major refurb and has been renamed as The Tap on The Line.
Had a quick look in when emerging from the station and it is quite different from most other Fullers makeovers and now resembles more of a restaurant cum coffee shop than a pub.
But didn't stop to try it so will leave it up to others to report how it now works as a pub

On 15th October 2013 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about The Railway

An L shaped interior in two section with the bar running along the back wall in a convivial area with an exposed wooden timbered ceiling while running along the platform side with large plate glass windows is a square room with large scrubbed wooden tables and benches.There is no direct access onto the southbound platform.I though the interior felt a bit sterile and candles were burning everywhere,although a few regulars populate the bar area.Now tied to Fullers,the four handpumps were serving London Pride,ESB,Bengal Lancer and Jack Frost which is a much better selection than found in many pubs close to stations.
Handy for a quick pint ,there wasn't enough to warrant a more lengthy stay.

On 17th January 2013 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


BobOs . left this review about The Railway

For a 'station' pub it ain't half bad - well worth falling out of the train and falling in here. Friendly staff and well kept beer but, like the man said, you wouldn't want to have a session here as there's better pubs down the road. Average.

On 16th July 2011 - rating: 5
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Railway

I enjoyed having a drink in here sitting by the huge glass windows that back onto the platform and watching the people waiting for a train look longingly at my pint. The music was at a nice level and there was a television showing Sky on the wall. There is plenty of covered seating outside the front of the pub where you can sit and watch the well heeled local residents milling past.

The barmaid was a little offish as she was having a heated debate with the other barmaid in some distant tongue, which was a shame as I am quite nosy. Drinks on offer were the usual suspects plus Broadside, Lancaster Bomber and Hobgoblin.

I've been to a lot worse station pubs than this one, but if I lived local I probably wouldn't drink here as there are better offerings in the area.

On 2nd May 2008 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]