The William Morris, Merton Abbey Mills - pub details
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Address: Merton Abbey Mills 20, Watermill Way, Merton, London, SW19 2RD [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 917 0007 (ref 529)
Colliers Wood (0.4 miles), South Wimbledon (0.4 miles)
Haydons Road (1 mile), Tooting (1.1 miles), Wimbledon (1.2 miles)
Pub facilities/features:
- Quiz night (Tuesdays)
- Food served, Real ale
- Riverside location
- Outside seating
Suggested by sambrown on 19 Sep 2006.
NB: Information may be incomplete or out of date as this pub is not currently registered.
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> Current user rating: 5.5/10 (rated by 43 users)
> Local guides: London pub guide, South West London pub guide
other pubs nearby:
Princess Royal, South Wimbledon (0.2 miles), Nelson Arms, South Wimbledon/Colliers Wood (0.2 miles), Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon (0.2 miles), Kiss Me Hardy, Colliers Wood (0.3 miles), Sultan, South Wimbledon (0.3 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the William Morris, Merton Abbey Mills
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 65 shown - see all reviews
| I've read through these posts and no-one has said anything that captures the essence of what this pub once was. People these days don't have a clue! Today it is a "ghost" of what it once was. I've been there a few times in recent years and I'm appalled by what I have experienced. Its like an abandoned building now; mostly empty - even on a Friday and Saturday night! The upstairs, which was a great place to drink and relax is now always closed - which is baffling as it was one of the pub's attractions! When it first opened it was nice and quaint - different from any other pub in the district - but between 1993 and 1998 it really took off and became popular. This pub from Friday evening to Sunday evening - and even sometimes in the week - was teeming with people; five deep at the bar. Of course it was difficult getting a drink, but nevertheless, the atmosphere was magic. The people were happier and friendlier in those days and the pub had various nooks and crannies to sit and drink or eat your meals - which were always "top-drawer"! It had a Carvery in those days. I think Rick was the Landlord during those years, and my wife and I had our reception there upstairs. There were quiz nights, and I remember the actors from The Bill used to drink in there often. Unfortunately, Rick and his wife left in 1998 and it was taken over by a single manager - a young guy. He had it refurbished . . . and everyone had high hopes, but really he ruined it. The bar was extended into an oval in the centre of the pub like an American bar, the billiard table went and the upstairs was eventually closed and was never reopened much to my knowledge. It soon began losing customers and that's when the pub began to go downhill. The pub has now lost its appeal with people - especially those who remember better days and I only go there now to recall good memories and have a relaxing drink by the river, which is the pub's only redeeming feature now. Members of staff come and go are always different when I go in there; you can never get to know them - and many are from some eastern-european country. You can't warm to the pub or the people there anymore. It needs a married couple to run this pub - not a manager who is never there. Perhaps then it could bring the punters back who used to enjoy it and perhaps the atmosphere it once had. At the moment the magic has been lost - and perhaps forever now! Its just not the same, and I blame the up and coming generations of managers and staff who simply have no idea on how to run a place like that! The potential is there, but no-one who has run this place since the late 90s, seems to know or care about bringing the best out of it or restore it to its former glory. Abbey Mills is not the same as it once was - since the property developers have moved in . . . KFC - yuk!! The 2000s decade has seen everything go downhill anyway and sadly that is reflected in what this pub and Abbey Mills in general has become. G. from Surrey. dalkin35 - 25 Jun 2009 17:53 |
| The thing about this pub, is that your critical eye can so easily be distracted by the pleasant surroundings it finds itself in. The old print works, now coverted into fancy 'boutique-style' shops; the big old 7-spoke mill, still turning in the wheel house; the river Wandle lazily flowing alongside the pub. It's all very peaceful and charming, but aside from some nice drinking spots on the river bank or the roof terrace, I'm not sure the place offers a great deal. The interior is fairly run-of-the-mill (no pun intended) and the ale selection was a little drab (Adnams Broadside and Regatta, plus something from Bateman's I think) ans below par in the taste department. Still, if it's a drink in the sun, in nice, quiet surroundings that you're after, this is probably worth a punt. Pubsignman - 4 Jun 2009 23:27 |
| We visited for a midday pub lunch with two small children (who we needed to get to bed by 1.30pm for their sleeps) and had a very poor experience. It opened late, staff were arguing with and swearing at each other, they didn't have any crayons for children (pretty rare these days), they even seemed annoyed that we'd arrived, then after we'd placed our order they came over and told us the kitchen wasn't even opening for another half hour or so! Fortunately they gave us a full refund, but still it wasn't a fun experience. As for being by a nice location, this part of the River Wandle is very scruffy - lots of rubbish and weeds, and the trees stop sun coming in. If you have a car and want a pub lunch, hit the A3 and aim for somewhere like Esher or Ockham - there are much nicer places out there. philwhitehouse - 26 Apr 2009 14:04 |
| reasonable pub in a fantastic location ... expensive though. Interesting selection of drinks to be had. Can get very hectic in the warmer weather especially at weekends. anitas - 17 Feb 2009 10:43 |
| The pub is actually part of he Merton Abbey Mills market area, one of the buildings of the former Liberty Mills print works. It was converted and substantially altered some 20 years ago when the old riverside works were turned into today's attraction. The pub has a central bar, flagged floor on entrance with a carpetted area with plenty of seating behind overlooking the Wandle. The upper bar tends to be closed but is available for hire, A side room has wooden floors and panelling and has a traditional feel. Lots of exposed brickwork. Sounds good, but it really does not maximise the potential or opportunity it is given. Disinterested staff and an indifference to the beer served let this pub down. Superb location, history etc, but wasted. Four seemingly working handpumps, five once but one has the handpull missing. Only two on, others not even reverse clipped, both serving Batemans, XB and Valiant. Maldenman - 9 Jan 2009 23:12 |
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