please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Love going here, friendly staff, efficient, great location and great on sumemr evenings! food good and prices fair. I had a nice humus platter which was tasty!
|
Not quite sure what 'oban' means when he says that the pub has not been ruined by a refurb. He obviously hasn't been in Wimbledon long.
Fifteen years ago the pub was genuinely genuine. There were stone flags and two old rocking chairs in front of the log fire. Now a huge bar projecting much too far into the customer area prevents such enjoyment. The fire remains (which is good) but there is no room for the rocking chairs, the stone flags have disappeared, and there is an awkward space where you have to push past other people to get to the other side of the bar. But despite the Aussie staff it's still as near to a country local as you can get in Wimbledon. It's friendly, there's always an old codger propping up the bar at lunchtime, and the menu is OK if you don't go too often. (Time for a change !!!)
It's popular on summer evenings too, particularly if you're a teenager who likes rolling about with the opposite sex on grass and dogshit.
Youngs beer is OK, but don't expect some mind-blowing real ale experience.
|
How can it be said that a pub tied to Youngs has a "great" selection of ales when all they serve is Youngs ordinary,special and Wells Bombardier.
Its neither great in the sense of being very good or great in the sense of being a large number ?
|
One of the only Traditional pubs left in Wimbledon. Great selection of real ales and lagers on the bar. The food was absolutely great, really nice to see that Young's haven't destroyed this pub with a refurb yet and I hope it remains this way. A small jewel in the crown of local pubs. Long may it stay that way.
|
Brief visit for a spot of lunch, good pint of Youngs Ordinary. The usual suspects from the Youngs/Wells consortium on offer. Good food, monster portion of fish and chips, my partner had home made smoked cod and salmon fishcakes which I'm informed were good. Nice relaxed ambience apart from the noise the dishwasher makes! Daily newspapers available, low key barely audible background music.
|
Hi, we had a class reunion there when it was PIRATE day a couple of saturdays ago. Great atmosphere and the bar staff were brilliant. Jessica got everyone dancing and she stole the show aswell! Thanx and see you again next time i´m on a visit from Sweden!
|
Lovely, friendly pub with great food. Wimbledon is full of great pubs, but for me this one just takes the edge.
|
Absolutely fantastic pub with great ambiance and p- nash!! Wonderful staff made a magical evening - The manager Andrew was particually friendly- lovely chap!! My husband and i had a splendid evening with friends. Danny {who somewhat resembles Harry potter} was charming as was the barmaid Emily who has a sweet smile. They were very helpful and polite during our visit. I will defintley be back at the Hand in Hand again!!
|
Unpretentious and friendly, in a part of London where thats not the norm. Lovely multi-roomed pub, untypical of Youngs, good beer, lovely garden.
|
Great pub, good quality youngs beers and friendly welcoming staff... and the barmaid called jessica is beautiful!
|
Great pub,Andy is such a nice guy and done so much for this pub, good honest pub food too without the "gastro" pretensions of so many Wimbledon spots.
|
After a very unexpected proposal in Cannizaro park on a very cold Sunday in January my Fiance and I headed to this pub to toast our news, the open fire, great service and excellent food completely topped off a wonderful afternoon, we will no doubt spend many more Sunday afternoon's in this lovely pub!
anonymous - 28 Mar 2007 17:05 |
This pub has always felt very comfortable when I have visited. The (wooden) seats in the front area with the low ceiling are nice and light being next to the windows. There are also some more comfortable seats further to the rear, and today there was a real coal fire on the go. Beers on were Young's Special, Bitter, Winter Warmer, plus Well's Bombardier. The Special was excellent and though I did not eat there today, whenever I have been there before it has been excellent. I agree with previous reviewers who say that the Hand in Hand retains its character, not having suffered the same fate as the Dog and Fox (and some other Young's pubs). A good, clean, friendly, pub with good beer and good food. With its neighbour the Crooked Billet it is now easily one of the two best pubs in wimbledon.
|
I like this pub. Not as good as the Crooked Billet next door but pleasant. If next door is full this is definitely a viable option.
Yet to try food but the menu looks good.
|
Agree with Zeitlin. I remember Andrew from when he ran the Ladbroke Arms some years ago in Notting Hill, which he turned from a fairly dull boozer into a warm welcoming very human place place. (When he left it was gastrified in a ghastly way and now lacks any charm). Andrew is now bringing his management skills and human touch to the Hand in Hand - a great traditional pub, lots of little alcoves and nooks (not some vast rectangular knocked-through room as is now the wont) with the bar in the middle. Well kept Youngs. The only sound is the sound of many happy people enjoying a good night out laughing and talking, no piped music, no dreadful acoustics (caused by the aforementioned knocking through into one space) - the Hand in hand is a warm welcoming human place, what pubs should be. What Youngs did to the Britannia in Kensington High Street is a crime - they should take note of this place. Long may it thrive.
|
Great in summer, can take a rug and sit on the green opposite with a drink. Very tasty pint of Youngs. The staff were really chatty and generally pleasant. Food was good and arrived quite promptly. Nice inside, had a sort of feeling of being in an old stable, somehow, with its old wooden benches and general wood feel. Quite big inside, yet nicely cosy. Will return!
|
Now under the new management of Andrew Ford one of an apparently diminishing breed of very good traditional pub managers that haven't been driven out by the apparent culture change at Youngs. Accordingly the Youngs Bitter is very well kept and the hospitality refreshingly welcome for a Youngs pub. This is one of a handful of Youngs pubs left (where staff are not constantly changing) that I now visit for an enjoyable time.
|
Okay pub getting a bit rough around the edges but still offers good ales and okay food. Staff were fine on last couple of visits but with other better pubs nearby very much second choice. Near to common & village.
|
How sad. I was expecting everyone to be raving about this pub, after all it is legendary. but you are right. It is full of merchant bankers. And well past it's sell by date
|
What can i say...a good pub (in the summer). Lovely atmosphere and no chavs. You might get the odd hooray henry in but no riff raff from Mitcham.
|
Agree with Twiglet-in the mid 1980's, this was THE pub to go to in Wimbledon, fantastic atmosphere (both inside and out), friendly staff, and a good selection of ales and food. My wife and I went on our first date there! Alas, whilst still a nice pub, has been a little bit "laddish" of late, with lager and singing of songs a'la Klingon being very much the norm, rather than imbibing of fine ales and the general hubbub of conversation. But still worth a visit, although Summer evenings will never be QUITE what they were there again...
|
gone down hill a bit since the kiwi left, but still if you want a drink and a chat prob the only place to go in wimbledon!!!!!!!
|
For sure, the summer evenings at the Hand In Hand circa 1985 were legendary. Sadly, the pub has lost a lot of its charm since then. Now caters almost entirely for the middle class 40+ set and has extortionate prices to suit. Don't expect change from a tenner for a three person round! But when all's said and done, the pub still can't be beat for a fine summer's night on the green.
|
Great BBQs at the moment. Bitter well kept. Small Patio as well as the expanse of grass at the front, part of Wimbledon Common.
Kitchen tends to close quite early, the Billet next door generally does food later.
|
Went in this establishment last night avec the other half. Good well kept beer - did't have any grub so can't comment on this. The grass in front of it looks a great place for spending a Summer's afternoon and evening. Not far from the Village so good location.I look forward to spending an afternoon ther ein the oncoming months.
|
well kept ordinary and good food. it does burgers, which the billet next door doesn't, which is a plus. The pies are not too bad either. It doesnt have nearly as much atmosphere as next door and has one of those 'family rooms' with no character. It is best to avoid sitting in there, however, the rest of the pub is very comfortable with log fires in the winter.
|
Still dreamin' of the great summer evenings at the Hand in Hand... long time ago though, wonder if it's still the same!
|
A very good pub. Great little beer garden out front which is very pleasant for supper on long summer evenings. Also the lawn by King's which is good for lazing around in the sun. The food is lovely too, and very well priced. The beer is exceptionally well kept, usual Young's fare.... Get yea to the pub!
|
Really very nice - food (especially the burgers & Caesar salads)is some of the best pub grub I've found. Beer is standard Youngs fare, well kept. Personally I am more inclined towards the Crooked billet next door so don't frequent the Hand too often, but this is a good, friendly no nonsense boozer.
Mr Lash - 5 Nov 2004 15:54 |
Iconic Wimbledon boozer. Top ale and they let me in in my AFC top plus 3 others. Comes into it's own in summer
Adam - 14 Oct 2004 11:27 |
Great pub keeps out all the soccer scum well run establishment keep up the good work
Jeff - 6 Sep 2004 04:30 |
Not bad. Good for getting a pint and sitting outside on the grass. Menu a bit limited - burger is ok but the menu at the crooked billet next door is better.
anonymous - 31 Aug 2004 15:06 |
Wouldn't let AFC Wimbledon fans in after the game, not happy as therre was loads of rugby fans allowed in shirts!
David Beck, Madrid. - 29 Aug 2004 00:21 |
Good pint but otherwise more standard offering from Youngs in a good setting.
|
I lived in this pub till the age of five then we moved next door to number four crooked billet.
My mother was a co owner along with another sister and brother.
My name is nick kerslake and I now live in New Zealand anyone who rembers me and would like to contact me can on my email address
|
Nice food, beers okay. One barmaid not very friendly maybe had painters in. But all in all okay place but best in summer so can sit outside on green
yum - 8 Jan 2004 04:12 |
Amazing pub, the best ale and food around, highly recommended!!
Lovely landlady and daughter!!
Donald Fisher - 13 Oct 2003 21:50 |
LOTS OF VERY FOND MEMORIES OF THIS PUB. WENT THE OTHER DAY THOUGH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AGES AND THE FOOD WAS NOT GOOD. SORT IT OUT!
Dan - 1 Sep 2003 13:19 |
Great session last Friday - good food and beer - only shame was the AAA was off. Good Bitter and Special, though. Of the two pubs that stand close to each other here, this is by far the more friendly!
|
My parents met in this pub during WW 2 and it was my local when I lived in the Ridgeway in the early 70's Our family lived in the Billet for as long as I can remember. It's a wonderful place. We used to play on the green and our parents used to bring us crisps and cokes while they drank.
Gen Souder - 19 Jun 2003 20:15 |
Superb pub - Youngs bitter and special I found to be on excellent form when I last visited. The food was exquisite and reasonably priced. A great place after a nice walk in the common!
|
My Wife & I Worked @ The H&H In 1989. It Was Great, At That Time I Would"ve Rated It An 8.I Would Love To Work There Again!
|
In the summer time go and sit outside on the bit of common. It's lovely.
|
