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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about Roebuck
Being back in Richmond we decided to take the climb up Richmond Hill, primarily to enjoy the views and see the house where Mick and Bianca Jagger lived (even when they were estranged) but secondly safe in the knowledge that the Roebuck was at the top and I wanted to see if it was still an excellent pub post covid. And very pleased to report it is..
Still got the bank of six hand pumps on the small bar side facing you as you enter, but I spotted three more on the side that leads to the toilets on the left which I had not spotted on previous visits, so I am not sure if they are new or not. Five ales and two ciders were on and alongside the house GK Abbot there was Oakham Citra, Thames Side Brewery Harrier Bitter, Exeter Brewery Fraid Not and something badged as Roebuck Best Bitter, which I wasn’t sure if it was a brew from the Derbyshire based Roebuck Brewery, of something from GK badged for the pub. We didn’t bother to enquire as we only had eyes for the Citra and the Fraid Not and they were both in excellent condition.
Being blessed with a superb weather afternoon we took the beers to the terrace on the other side of the road. The view is so good from here that it is almost worth suffering plastic glasses for.
On 25th July 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Roebuck
A surprisingly nice pub in a prime location up on Richmond Hill, enjoying the classic view of the river below. It is multi-roomed, with lots of ins and outs, generally low-ceilinged and full of historic-looking features. There is a tiny feel of corporateness, probably from the standardised menus and condiment sets, but somehow it is just a very good pub. On handpump were IPA and Abbot of course, but also Wandle, Oakham Citra and Exeter Lighterman, plus Old Rosie cider. (Tip - take a 371 bus up to the top to avoid the climb and walk back down!)
On 4th April 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Roebuck
In an area where people walk past you wearing a set of togs that cost more than I would earn in a week, I was a bit apprehensive about what I’d find here especially when I clocked the Greene King livery outside. But fear not – this is run by a friendly, old-skool pair whose style means that some of the more upmarket customers reign themselves in a bit. Inside has been modernised fairly tastefully and retains a tight, multi-area’d and low-ceilinged layout. A big selling point is the view from the front window, as you sit atop Richmond Hill overlooking the flatlands to the Thames below (‘World Heritage listed’, I am reliably informed). You can also take your beer out to the bench opposite. GBG22 listed and there were four cask on, the two most interesting were Wimbledon Copper Leaf (NBSS 4) and Exeter Darkness (3.5), the latter of which the landlord recommended as he poured the Wimbledon – he clearly saw us for what we were! Had a bit of chat with him as he served, something you don’t get much of these days. Food is inevitably a big seller here but it stays the right side of the line from being a full-on gastropub, drinkers are very welcome. So this one is well-worth the shoe leather to try-out, good beer and good atmosphere.
On 18th March 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Roebuck
This is a really nicely presented gastro pub at the top of Richmond Hill which still manages to cater fairly well for those just wanting to stop in for a drink. The pub has a two bar set-up with a number of separate seating areas created by partitioning walls and screens, which give the place a sense of comfort and cosiness. You enter into the main front bar with a sizeable seating area to the left in what almost feels like a self-contained space with three or four tables hemmed in between the porch and a partitioning wall. The main part of the room is a bare boarded corridor-like space with drinking ledges and high tables served by bar stools. There is a small servery to the rear with a tongue and groove panelled counter, etched glass mirror with an image of the titular roebuck, and a nice canopy lined with what appeared to be old theatre programmes. To the right, hidden by partitioning screens, the room opens out into a carpeted dining area with standard tables and chairs, plain painted walls and some corporate promotional blackboards, plus a fireplace on the end wall with another nice etched glass mirror above it, this time depicting the image of a stag’s head. The left side of the pub is also carpeted and runs beyond the servery into a rear lounge full of banquette and chair seating options under bare brick walls decorated with old black and white photos of the local area. There’s a nice brick fireplace in one corner and as with much of the pub aside from the central ‘corridor’, most people seemed to be eating.
I wasn’t expecting a great deal on the beer front, so was surprised to find a good row of handpulls dispensing Wimbledon Copper Leaf, Greene King Abbot Ale, Downton New Forest Ale, Exeter Avocet Ale, Thameside Wryneck Rye and Ascot 5/4 Favourite along with two real ciders. I took a punt on the 5/4 Favourite, which was in peak condition and easily lasted the distance, yet still left me £4.50 out of pocket.
Despite the clear focus on food, I thought this was a really nice, comfortable pub with a warm, cosy feel to it, making it an ideal pit-stop after the walk up Richmond Hill or a day out in Richmond Park. The varied ale selection added to the pub’s appeal and I’d be more than happy stopping off here again the next time I’m passing by.
On 30th March 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Roebuck
Greene King pub in the GBG.
Enough staff to deal with the hordes of undecided, perusing the options available but clogging the bar.
Mainly setup for dining but a nice row of high stools, with a view over Petersham Meadows. Just had to move the kids trike out the way first.
Beer was very good - perfect Oakham Citra - the colour of which had to be seen to be believed.
On 26th January 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Roebuck
This pub offers the classic Turner view from Richmond Hill down over the Thames,magnificent.Don't be put off by the Greene King signage ,there is lots of interest inside.The low ceiling by the entrance gives immediate character and there are lots of nooks and crannies around the interior.All the front windows give great views as will the first floor bar and dining area.The furniture is traditional apart from some high tables close to the two sided bar.The back section has high backed settles,and despite food being available this doesn't dominate and just drinking is fine.
Several handpumps are double clipped and on my visit the options were regulars GK IPA and Abbott with guests Oakham Citra,Downton New Forest Ale,Welton Heatwave,Thames Side Egyptian Goose and Wimbledon SW17 in decent nick.There is also handpumped Old Rosie Cider.
I welcome the fact that rather than infesting the interior with huge corporate menus with food photos,the menu in The Roebuck is a plain sheet of paper with a selection of pub grub staples priced £9-£14 with a median £12 which seems reasonable for such a honey pot site.Muzak was playing at a background level ,there are no flatscreens or fruit machines and there was a friendly welcome behind the bar.It's rightly in the 2019 GBG,is probably the best real ale pub in Richmond and really should be visited when in the area.I will most certainly be back.
On 20th September 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Roebuck
After supping some enjoyable ales by the side of the Thames some of our party questioned the logic of the long climb up Richmond Hill to the Roebuck. Fortunately, I could tempt them by the fact that this pub was awarded CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2017 and probably has one of the best views from any pub with the protected World Heritage view of the Thames at this point across the Petersham Meadows.
And yes I agree with the previous reviewer that you shouldn’t be put off by the prominent Greene King plaque outside. GK IPA is a permanent fixture here and for our visit the GK IPA Reserve was available as well. But then the double clipped pumps on the main bar section provided Oakham Citra, two from the Thamesside brewery including White Swan, G2 Brewery Southern Cross and Binghams Citra Summit.
The interior is well described by other reviewers below, but the best thing to do, as long as it is not raining, is to take your pint onto the terrace across the road and enjoy the view.
On 1st May 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Roebuck
Located slightly away from the town centre towards Richmond Park, first impressions weren’t great with a Greene King sign outside, so I was expecting the usual bland selection of IPA, Abbott Ale and some variety or other of Old Hen. Needs must though, and as this was the last stop before our hotel we ventured in, only to be pleasantly surprised and to find that this is currently Richmond’s Camra branch Pub of the Year as the friendly barman cheerfully explained.
Décor wise it is perhaps a little generic, having no doubt suffered from renovations at some point that removed much of the original character, but it is nonetheless all very inoffensive and certainly not unpleasant. Although essentially all one open plan room, various partitions and pillars created some cosy areas within. Dark wooden flooring was laid down the centre of the pub with carpet off to either side, whilst the paintwork was predominantly cream with dark wood panelling in places. A few old pictures of the locale were dotted around the walls and a small fireplace was off to one side, although it’s a shame that this was not lit and a cold December evening. A smaller room at the rear had a TV screen showing a sports fixture, although we did not investigate this.
Beers on tap were Oakham Citra, Sambrook’s Powerhouse, Surrey Hills’ Sheer Drop, Dark Star Hophead, Wimbledon Copper Leaf and in a token representation of the owner’s own brews, Greene King IPA. Interestingly even this had only been on for about a month after they apparently insisted that the pub carry at least one of their range. Ciders meanwhile were Aspall’s Suffolk and Weston’s Old Rosie.
On 8th December 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Roebuck
Update – January 2014
I suppose it seems entirely appropriate that my 500th review should be the pub, which for a number of years now, has offered , by some considerable margin, the widest range of real ale in my home town of Richmond and to a good consistent quality, The Roebuck is now part of the Taylor Walker empire, but otherwise my previous review back in May 2009, reproduced below, is still current.
The interior is a bit of a warren of adjoining areas, featuring low ceilings, exposed brickwork and chairs and a few high tables. The walls are decorated with various prints of the local area, mainly of the famous view down to the river from across the road. It’s a pleasant if rather generic pub interior, rather typical of the Taylor Walker style.
A plaque by the front door has a quote attributable to one William Hanes in May 1824, in which he says that “the prospect from the hill is the most enchanting in Europe”. Whilst that’s probably overstating the case, as before, you can expect the pub to be dominated by visitors who have come to Richmond Park and to admire the view down to the river from the terrace across the road.
On my recent early January visit, as many as 9 different beers were on – London Pride, Sambrooks Wandle, Adnams Ghost Ship, Downton Elderquad, White Horse Wayland Smithy, Sunny Republic St Vities Ale and 2 beers from Red Squirrel ( Porter and Hopfest ). Also on was 1730 Ale – a beer specifically brewed by Westerham Brewery for Taylor Walker in recognition of the fact that the original Taylor Walker brewery was founded in 1730. Quaiity of beers sampled was good with the Red Squirrel Porter proving exceptionally moreish.
The pub is in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for 2014. Management are evidently enthusiastic about real ale with both the GBG sticker and the London Pub Walks poster both prominently displayed in several areas of the pub.
It’s a bit of a trek up the hill from the centre of Richmond, but one I feel that I may be doing a bit less infrequently from now on.
Original review – May 2009
300 year old pub sitting proudly near the top of Richmond Hill on the road leading up from the town centre to the Star and Garter Home and the Richmond Gate entrance to Richmond Park.
Its a former Younger's house - note the small plaque outside with the trademark bearded Scotsman logo detailing the opening hours in those days. It's now part of the Spirit Group empire.
Externally, it's a rather uninspiring looking box-shaped frontage. Internally, it's not unpleasant, with several nooks and crannies and low ceilings, but it has that rather generic chainy feel to it. .
Its principal customer base appears to be those visitors to Richmond who make the trek up the hill to see the famous World Heritage view of Petersham Meadows and the River Thames below, or who alternatively have been visiting Richmond Park. Food is inevitably quite a major focus of the trade
Perhaps surprisingly, its contribution to Richmond's real ale scene is however quite impressive. The presence of stickers in the windows indicating CAMRA GBG listings and a prominently displayed Cask Marque symbol show a pleasing commitment to real ale.
On my recent mid-week afternoon visit, there were 4 beers on - Deuchars IPA, London Pride, Summer Lightning and a beer called Brew Dog Trashy Blonde. The Deuchars IPA - � 2.85p - was spot on. On previous visits, I've had decent Betty Stoggs in here.
Although it's not part of the pub, you're allowed to take your drink ( plastic glasses not required, you'll be pleased to hear ) over the road on to the terrace to admire the view. At the risk of sounding like a local Tourist Guide, there's an information board lower down the hill pointing out the landmarks. It's quite pleasant sitting here in the sunshine, although the sound of the passing traffic is a constant reminder that you're not in the countryside.
Take care crossing the road to and from the pub, particularly if you've had a few !. The traffic can be deceptively speedy.
Given the pub's location, you get the distinct feeling that they don't have to make much effort to get people through the door, but I have to say that I was quite impressed all round on my recent visit.
On 11th January 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tom Fairburn left this review about The Roebuck
The Roebuck is a splendid pub atop Richmond Hill, and a "stones" throw away from the glorious Richmond Park. What a salubrious location! My friend Len who's lucky enough to have this fantastic pub as his 'local' says: "It's one of the best pubs in London!"....because the beer selection is quite good, and the views out over the River Thames are something to behold! Try it, you'll like it! If you can make the marathon climb up Richmond Hill...or preferrably get a cab up the hill, or get dropped off there. This pub also has some celebrity neighbours (which I won't go into just now...come along and find out)! TJ
On 11th July 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 78 recommendations about 59 pubs]