My friend had just returned from overseas and was desperate to get out and enjoy some of the first signs of English Spring – trees in blossom, sunshine and dog walking.
Petersham Hotel
We started our day at The Petersham Hotel in Richmond. While dogs aren’t allowed inside, there’s a small outside terrace where dogs are permitted and they are happy to serve coffee. And very good coffee it was too – complete with some lovely shortbread.
There’s a marvellous view down across green open space and that curve in the river which is the reason that the Richmond, Virginia is so named. It was peaceful and we could hear the birds twittering all around. We hardly noticed the time fly while we caught up on all our news and Alfie watched the birds landing on the railings carefully.
Richmond Riverside
We walked out of the hotel grounds and down to the grassy riverside path where Alfie enjoyed his usual sniffing activities. He still barks at the sight of any dogs – apologies fellow dog walkers for his impoliteness! Along the tow path we watched the rowing club get their kayaks into the water. There were lots of people out and about but not so many that it was crowded.
We reached Richmond town centre and browsed the farmers’ market in the small square before moving on to Dickens & Jones – which does allow dogs (hooray!). I have sat outside on the large terrace at the Pitcher and Piano on previous occasions – they are dog friendly – but we weren’t quite ready for lunch at this point. So we pottered through Richmond, browsing in shops occasionally with me carrying Alfie in my arms and no one asked us to leave.
Finally, we reached Richmond train station and decided that we really ought to make our way back to the car. We’d been walking for quite some time and even Alfie was flagging. So we cut down a side street and onto Richmond Green – no cricketers yet - and worked our way back down to the riverside and to the car.
The Victoria Gastro Pub, East Sheen
Now I’d reviewed The Victoria gastro pub a couple of years ago when it first opened and loved the food as well as the magnificent conservatory area where the restaurant is based. Recently, a dog owning friend of mine had suggested we should go as he had found it to be dog friendly too. However, he and his Maltese have been so busy we hadn’t found the time to do so with him so I took the opportunity.
Arriving mid-afternoon the hoards of families with young kids had mostly departed. We spied a rather relaxed looking Labrador sprawled out in the back bar. We were informed that whilst dogs weren’t allowed into the main restaurant they were very welcome in the bar – which was modern, comfortable and with a choice of sofas, ordinary bar tables and some elevated seating. And it was all bathed in bright sunshine from huge windows.
Alfie took a position on the wooden bench and my friend and I ordered a beer and some wine as well as some burgers – served on wooden platters with a choice of skinny fries or fat cut chips. We opted for both. The food was excellent and the bar and waiting staff were young and friendly. We enjoyed our meal a lot (I naughtily gave Alfie the odd piece of beef from my burger to supplement the dog biscuits I had taken in my bag for him – he doesn’t hassle for food – just gives me that big eyed pleading look!) and whilst we felt quite replete I simply couldn’t resist the rhubarb crumble and vanilla ice cream. We decided to share and it was presented rather prettily in two little dishes. The rhubarb was sublime – not too tart, not too soft – just perfect.
We were rather relaxed and could have happily stayed there for the rest of the afternoon – and probably into the evening where the place is transformed by tiny tea lights into a rather romantic bar. But Alfie was keen to get into the fresh air again, and so we moved on.
