please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Just been here to try the new landlords Sunday lunch, food overpriced and disgusting and cold. Nice to see Pete still behind the bar, but eat there at your peril, we sent the food back twice....the second time we didn't want it back. Manny and Janet...you will be missed.
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Must be the most expensive pub in Kingston now �4.20p for ESB! but quality still good.
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Friendly Fullers house serving a decent pint of Pride and with convivial staff and clientelle.
anonymous - 11 Dec 2011 16:00 |
Fullers pub not too far from the Willoughby Arms. Only Fullers ales are served - Pride, ESB & Chiswick. The bar is a reverse L-shaped bar. There is a carpeted lounge area to the left as you enter, which leads to a pleasant garden. To the right is a bar area with bare floorboards. Was busier than the Willoughby and the Spanish barman seemed fairly friendly. It's a shame they only serve Fulelrs beers.
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Put some heating on in the day and GET IN A GUEST ALE!
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Taken to lunch on Saturday - this pub is made by its landlord - limited selection of (well kept) beers, but the landlord and his wife (who I understand have been there for many years) were amoungst the most welcoming hosts I have encountered in some time. Would be happy to go back and if I was local would definately be a regular.
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Visited Sat 30 Jan and enjoyed the jazz but not the London Pride which was flat and far to cold and at �3.40 a pint pocket numbing. The Chiswick was in better condition and better value at �2.80 but still too cold. It would be nice to see some of the Gales beers on i.e. HSB & Seafarers as these I consider to be better beers than ESB & Chiswick.
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I can endorse the most recent comments about this pub, it is definetely one of Kingstons best. Comfy lounge bar and good 'darts' bar with some of Fullers finest on tap, and a good atmosphere. One gripe though is that it is expensive even for Kingston though the beer is well kept by the long serving and genial landlord.
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Nice friendly pub that takes its beer seriously and tries hard to make you feel welcome
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One bar Fuller's pub in the back streets of North Kingson. Chiswick, Pride, ESB and Jack Frost were on last night. Various Fuller's bottles too.
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How lovely to see the Guvnor Manny behind the bar on a Saturday lunchtime...he greeted us warmly. Everything was very clean and polished which made the delightful Christmas decorations even more attractive. Small group of smiling, welcoming regulars at the bar. 2 pints Chiswick �5.20 2 halves ESB �3.80. Absolutely charming place.
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Can only endorse grecians comments. Couldnt have put it better myself.
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Award-winning garden now looking superb thanks to the efforts of the landlord's wife who also does the cooking. Fuller's Chiswick on very good form as well. For traditional pubs one of the best in Kingston.
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Quiet and very old-school Fuller's pub in a quiet residential street. When I wandered in it was very quiet although several people were sitting out in the very nice garden which I noted had won several awards. Certainly not the most exciting pub I've ever been in but the kind of pub that's increasingly rare in gastropubby London, and would be lovely to have as a local.
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Good pub. been going here since i was a nipper, friendly staff, but at times, a bunch of guys used to make too much noise, and stink the place out with their foul, death defying farts. The owner of the pub "manny" is a lovly gentlemen, and full of laughs and giigles to fill the atmosphere. I can tell you now, you wont be able to spend an evening at this pub without laughing and having a good old chat.
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Thanks Tolenon, have been back and as you say 'The Farters' appear to have gone. Keep em out Manny, they've lost you a lot of custom.
razor - 25 May 2008 14:41 |
This has to be my favourite pub in Kingston, though I wouldn't recognize it from some of the comments here. As far as I know, Manny the landlord doesn't bet, maybe that was Pete with the geegees. As for indifferent beer and an arrogant landlord, I don't think I've ever read such old cobblers. The Wych Elm has the best pint of Pride I've tasted anywhere and Manny's a lovely bloke. Rude punters? You must have been there on a bad day. Any pub will have the odd herbert, it's best to avoid them. My advice to everyone is to get along there one evening, it's great on the last Saturday in the month as there's a jazz band. The beer's in top form thanks to Pete working the cellar, but do be warned that they close for a couple of hours in the afternoon on Monday to Friday for a quick siesta. Come and be made welcome at this great Fuller's house, you can't whack it in my humble opinion.
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About 4 years ago me and the then girl-freind (now wife) xame across this pub on a Saturday afternoon, it was empty and like being in someones front room, 4 years on and it was exactily as remembered. Beer fine but limited choice, Landlord's no1 concern was getting his bets on....
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Half a mile away from the hubbub and chav-fest that is Kingston town centre; this is a great example of what is sadly becoming a rarity; the suburban community local. With lino'd public bar (Sports TV and fruit machine here, where they should be) and carpetted lounge, no piped music, very excellent Chiswick bitter and a good line in quality toasties (and a longer menu if you want it), the Wych Elm hits the spot. Slightly fussy but genuinely nice mine hosts who clearly care about their beer, their pub and their clientele. I wish this high-standard local were my local. Don't change this place.
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Good community pub, complete with cat! However extremely high rating scored for the sheer quality of the Chiswick - a beer without equal. Always pleasant to visit.
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Old school local with two bars, traditional decor, an award-winning garden and Fullers Ales. Surprisingly there is a second bar where darts is played. This is a community pub, after all.
Yes, I am commenting on what ales there are, but that bears mention because you tend to get the same lagers everywhere. Beers vary.
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Decent enough community local serving Fullers Ales in excellent nick. Chiswick, Pride, ESB, all on in good fettle. Warm and welcoming and pints readily topped up to the line so no complaints here. I'm told the food is good too.
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Rather disappointed with last Sunday lunchtime's visit.The pub felt cold - one of the regulars was leaning against a radiator to keep warm - and they didn't have the London Porter on. Margaret told me it hadn't sold well in previous years - so they didn't get any in this year. The Chiswick at � 2.35 was cheap, but tasted of nothing at all in particular. I think I now prefer the nearby Park Tavern to this pub - comparing the numbers in both pubs, it seems a lot of other people do too.
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The Landlord is firm but fair and he and the regulars are always chatty and a good laugh.
When I went there the last time, there was a group of students swearing and cursing right next to a table with a family trying to eat. He asked the students politely to stop swearing, take it outside or leave. They apologised. He was polite they were polite and there was no arrogance or attitude.
Great pub, caring people therein!
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The wych became my local when the canbury arms died and in the years following manny has never failed to make me feel welcome and has never served a bad pint. Well worth a visit if you like Fullers beers in tip top condition and the 'farters' have gone!! Doesn't open throughtout the afternoon but stays open to twelve on most evenings. Go on give it a try !
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Definitely at its best in the 1970s era when Fred and Marge ran it.
anonymous - 31 Aug 2007 19:38 |
Have to agree with the last two comments. Haven't been in there for five or six years now. On the odd few occasions I did give it a try the public bar was taken over by a group of yobs who thought it clever to belch and fart as loud as possible with the landlord looking on in awe. Save yourself the journey, sit in the loo with a can of Tennants super....the ambience is the same.
razor - 30 Aug 2007 22:32 |
Wated journey - closed at 16:45 on a sunny Friday afternoon.
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Not sure about the beer or the landlord. Very arrogant!
anonymous - 27 Apr 2007 12:53 |
Still a fine traditional pub - in marked contrast to the reborn Albert - but the London Pride is now � 3 per pint, which seems too high. Still, with such a genial landlord as Manny still at the helm, perhaps on reflection it's worth it.
Top drawer pub - highly recommended
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Excellent pub. Great beer, good landlord and good atmosphere. Shame that there aren't more places like this about.
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This used to be my local and I went there several times a week and now that I've moved away I still get back most weeks and I always see in the New Year there (it helps that it's the landlord's birthday!). A really good locals pub.
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Very nice, superb garden, welcoming hosts, shouldn't be interfered with in any way. More of a 'quiet pint' place it is true but that is often what you want.
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Great pub, I go out of my way to drink there. Friendly. a real community pub (go there at Christmas for the brass band carol evening). The best pint of Fullers ESB I have ever tasted, and great food at lunchtimes. A perfect antidote to the bland alcoholic beverage dispensing stations which have taken over most of the area.
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Margaret's great - just buy her a drink!
Seriously good boozer - if you like Fullers beer, nowhere better. This type of trad pub won't be around for much longer - great mix of friendly locals and characters. Love it.
Enjoy it while you can...
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Point of order pburton - Margaret is not one of the hosts, she's a barmaid, Janet is Manny's other half but you never see her serving behind the bar so your indescretion is excuseable and accepted. Margaret could be a host if she cheered up a bit!
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A fairly spacious Fullers pub tucked away in a residential area of Kingston. The pub is divided into a comfy carpeted lounge area and a more basic and spartan public bar. The lounge is neat and tidy with a real fire, piped mainstream music and floral portraits. It is probably a bit too sedate and inoffensive for everyone�s taste, a bit too Radio 2ish if you get the drift and would only really appeal to the more mature drinker. The Public bar has darts and TV for sport and is quite a contrast to the lounge. Good range of Fullers beers (Casque Mark accredited) served by friendly and welcoming staff.
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We have been to this pub twice for jazz evenings, both very enjoyable. Manny and Margaret are great hosts and the locals are very friendly. A range of Fullers real ales are on tap and the white wine was enjoyed by my wife. For an outsider the Kingston one-way systems and parking problems must be overcome but it is worth it in the end.
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An excellent pub and always enjoyed each visit. The beers are kept in superb condition and it has a good friendly atmosphere. Have been using this pub for over ten years albeit infrequently when I visit relations.
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wonderful - a real traditional pub, but clean and fantastically friendly. the bar staff are lovely. just don't tell too many people!
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Have to agree with all below (have just got back from there) but... just don't tell everyone!!
:)
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Welcome antidote to Kingston's bland chain pub landscape, and the creeping gentrification of once decent locals like the Canbury (is the Borough Arms the next to get the stripped floorboard treatment?). The hallmark of the Wych Elm is that it excels in the simple things - great beers, friendly welcome (thanks Manny), convivial atmosphere. No more (well, apart from the splendid hanging baskets!); no less. Keep it up guys.
anonymous - 14 Dec 2005 14:40 |
A great local, serving quality real ale with comfortable seating and a good atmosphere. Not too smokey. Good service. One of the beast around in this area. It has won CAMRA awards
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One of the best in Kingston. Well kept ale, friendly staff. Just the job.
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Superb! In an area which is keen to pursue yuppiedom to the max, the WE is really doing the business. Close to several other decent pubs - try a crawl! - Manny sells the best Pride in the whole of Kingston. It's an unusual shape too, featuring a traditional public bar and a larger, more open-plan saloon. There's a large garden too, they have regular barbeques and feature live jazz sometimes but I can forgive them for that.
A very comfortable and quite friendly pub. Come for the ale and stay for the welcome.
Cheers!!
anonymous - 15 Aug 2005 21:29 |
A pub that's comfortable in it's own skin, this one. An old-fashioned two-bar backstreet local that doesn't try to be anything else.
Like most pubs of this type, it is friendly enough, newcomers eyed with an air of surprise rather than suspicion. Could do with a lick of paint, and the toilets had a bit of a whiff.
While you can't really criticise it, you feel it is a typical real local's pub, and they'd like it kept just how it is.
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Probably one of the best pubs in Kingston, for hospitality and the quality of its beer; can be a little quiet some evenings.
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Finished a saturday night pub crawl here and am glad we got this far as was easily the best pub we visited (along with the Park Tavern). Pleasant atmosphere in comfortable surroundings with a choice of the full Fullers selection - last pint of the night it had to be the London Porter hardly ever seen elsewhere
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Best pub in Kingston area, honest !
Great stopping off point after a long walk in Richmond Park. Manuel, the landlord, and the staff are first rate. If you haven't visited, you don't know what you're missing.
No food on Sunday, though
John - 14 Oct 2004 13:32 |
You just wished this pub could be busy as it would draw you in. Still a nice pub with friendy landlord and good though expensive beer. A pub for a quiet chat.
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This is an excellent, unspoiled backstreet pub. The Fullers beer is always in excellent condition. There are two bars - a lino-floored one with darts and a more traditional one with padded chairs and tables. I've never eaten here but it's supposed to be good - lunchtimes only, but they'll do evening food for groups with advance warning. It hasn't been messed about; it's clean (though sometimes a bit smokey); not noisy. It's just how I like pubs - but there aren't many as good as this.
Mike - 17 Sep 2004 11:45 |
Great atmosphere, very friendly and welcoming, especially the Spanish landlord. cosy in winter with yummy pub grub, and lovely relaxing beer garden with beautiful flowers - excellent in summer!
Mary - 21 Jan 2004 12:02 |
What more can be said about CAMRA ub of the year 2003?
Try a half and half, fantastic.
Vazza - 6 Dec 2003 13:50 |
A cracking little pub - superb garden, crazy amount of flowers out front. Beer is fantastic - really it is. And the landlord's a nice, friendly chap too.
ElDickster - 3 Jan 2003 15:48 |
Good atmos when it's busy but dour when empty but beer good
Quizman - 9 Nov 2002 23:23 |
A super little pub run by the loud & mad Manuel. The best pint of Fuller's you can imagine which is pretty darned good.
DeviousDave - 1 Nov 2002 15:49 |
