Roebuck

We’d wandered around the Richmond Town Centre Christmas lights switch on – which, to be honest, hadn’t impressed us very much. Until we started walking up Richmond Hill – home to the likes of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall – and found that the road had been closed for a rather festive farmer’s market. So this is where Christmas happens in Richmond!

We wandered through the crowds, dodging around hay bales, enjoying the aromas of all manner of street food and appreciating the twinkly white lights. We passed The Victoria pub which was packed to the gunnels and continued our walk. It’s a steep climb and soon the glitter and excitement was behind us.

I’ve heard many good things about The Roebuck from the dog community – it’s highlighted in many dog-friendly guides. And for good reason. It’s opposite one of the most amazing views (made famous by Turner) in this part of the world - looking down a green meadow onto that bend in the Thames. Those who walk along the riverside in the summer enjoy a pint outside. In winter, the kids enjoy sledding down the snowy slopes. And, of course, there are always lots of dog walkers.

As we entered the warm, comfortably busy pub it seemed like we were in dog central. At the bar – where there was a dog water bowl – there was an eager Jack Russell guarding his family which included a babe-in-arms. He growled quietly at two terriers that were nearby and a little louder as a spaniel walked past. I could see other dogs sitting good-naturedly under tables at their owners’ feet.

We ordered two large glasses of wine (they offer a wide range of craft beers too – and it’s on the History and Ale Trail) and found ourselves an empty table (wooden pew with cushions one side and wooden chairs the other) in a bay window with small Victorian panes of glass looking out onto that view which in the evening was obscured by the dark.
It’s a proper pub. Some walls are flock wallpaper, some are exposed brick and others are painted vertical wooden slats.

There are lots of those square pillars which divide the large area up. Towards the back is a nook containing a brick fireplace against which old pots and pans hang. It isn’t contrived. It isn’t corny. It’s a proper traditional pub. That just happens to be in a rather posh area.

There was a mixture of people – couples, families and groups. But no one too young. And most must be locals as it’s near impossible to park here and it’s at least a 25 minute walk from Richmond train station. Yet it felt really comfortable. The background music was almost inaudible which meant that we were able to continue our conversation easily.

The menu is surprisingly diverse and appears both on chalkboards and on printed sheets. There were mini-plates of baked camembert (£5.49), battered sausages (£4.79), whitebait (£4.29) and mushrooms on garlic bread (£4.29). Sharing plates included nachos (£9.29 – we tried the vegetarian version which arrived with three pots (guacamole, spicy tomato and sour cream) and a pile of nachos smothered in cheese with a healthy sprinkling of rather hot jalapenos. The pulled pork version costs £10.69).

There’re several versions of fish and chips – including an halloumi cheese option (from £9.29) as well as steaks (£12.69), hunters chicken (£10.29), sausages and mash (£8.29) and a Quorn, parsnip and pumpkin seed risotto (£10.29). And a variety of burgers including game options (from £9.69) and pies (from £9.49). Puddings included churros (£4.49), sticky figgy sponge (£3.99) and chocolate fudge cake (£4.49). They also serve hot drinks. But you are warned to book for Sunday roasts. So it’s a traditional pub menu with a few surprises – and at reasonable prices considering the location.

What a great place! Dog central. With Richmond Park just a few minutes further up the road, this has got to be a firm favourite for South West London’s dog owners.

Monday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Tuesday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Thursday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Friday	Open 12:00 - Closes 00:00
Saturday	Open 12:00 - Closes 00:00
Sunday	Open 12:00 - Closes 22:30

Roebuck

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