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Detail Pages
The City Arms, Thames Ditton
Long Ditton
Thames Ditton
KT7 0XE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The City Arms
Something of a step back into the past with a proper pub feel, avoiding the corporate horrors by being in a small independent group. There are lots of original traces surviving around the 4 rooms, all knocked through of course and painted in modern shades of blue and grey with a few extraneous bits of gnarly timber. One end of the main front room has high stools and tables, while the rest has a motley selection of tables and chairs, including a sort of dining area behind the bar. Outside there is a large benched area in part of the car park, not very salubrious but does have some views over the boatyard and Thames beyond. Ales on during Covid restrictions were Doombar and Courage Best, with a third guest pump not in use. Food was nearly homemade and OK. All in all perhaps a little rough round the edges but with character and friendly service.
On 10th July 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Blue left this review about The City Arms
I like to come to this cosy little place for a pint or two occasionally. It is now sporting four ale pumps, with Courage Best, Pride and Doombar as regulars, and the fourth a guest which was Adnams Old Ale yesterday and TEA on my previous visit. Layout and decor are as others have described. Food is served 12-3 and 6-9 Mon-Sat, and from 12-6 on Sundays. There is always a friendly welcome from the barmaids here, and I find it has a warm feeling to it, even when the fire is unlit.
The most exciting banter yesterday was provided by a woman who’d bought a calendar from the 99p shop, only to find it didn’t have January in it. Not the most entertaining of places, but worth visiting if one is in the area.
On 2nd January 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The City Arms
This may have been a country pub at some time, but it’s on the now very busy Portsmouth Rd. As you enter, the bar counter is right in front of you; to the left is a small room that looks just like your front room, with a TV in one corner at waist height, a nice carpet on the floor, sofas and a fireplace. But the hideous games machine in another corner rather spoils the front parlour effect. The main bar with the bar counter is bare-boarded, and also contains a one-armed bandit and some normal tables and chairs. This leads to another carpeted room on the right with a few more standard tables and chairs, and with each table decorated with a spray of daffodils. There's also a rather attractive exposed brickwork fireplace in this room. This leads to yet another bare-boarded room with tables set for diners. Something of a mixed bag then. Décor on the walls amounts to various prints, many seemingly of wine and whisky bottles. There were three ales on – Hyde’s Over a Barrell; Courage Best; and London Pride. The Pride was £3.30 a pint, which is a bit on the steep side. The food was fairly standard pub style grub. The mains were in the £7 - £8 bracket, and the baguettes around £5 - £6.
I’m not convinced by the cerise painted walls and pinkish ceiling, although it didn’t look as garish as it sounds. The walls up to the dado rail level look to be wood panelled, although it may be false panelling as it is coated with a wood effect varnish. It all sounds a bit tacky, but actually as a whole it didn’t look too bad. The pub had a cared for look about it, and I found the barmaid to be friendly and welcoming. It’s not a great pub, although it’s a reasonably good one even if the ale prices are just a little on the pricey side.
On 13th April 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The City Arms
Smallish pub with a homely "cottagy" feel. The bar is immediately in front on entering, wooden floor, high stools and the occasional table here. To the left is a carpeted area resembling an old aunt's living room, with a proper fireplace, old pictures, dried flowers etc. Not immediately obvious is the further room to the rear of the RHS mainly used as an eating area. Daily newspapers are available as are board games. There is a smallish TV in the old aunt's parlour. Quiz night is Wednesday.
Pride, Courage Best and guest Harviestown Bitter and Twisted served from the three handpumps. A pleasant and cosy spot but having regard to the stated real ale policy and its GBG entry I expected a slightly more interesting selection. The B&T was in good fettle though.
On 24th March 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]