The Prince Blucher

Rugby fans will know this Fuller’s pub (featuring beers of the world too). While it’s only a 15 minute walk to Twickenham Stadium it’s just beyond Twickenham Green (which features cricket in the summer months which is ideal for a picnic and offers great running space for canine companions) – whereas most other famous rugby pubs are closer to the river or the stadium.

I used to love this pub – it was warm, traditional yet modern. Full of local Twickenham peeps. And with a huge outside area – much of it covered for inclement weather – where they used to erect large screens so that you could watch all the rugby action if you didn’t manage to get a ticket to the match. And, colour me happy, there’s a children’s play area out back too.

It closed for refurbishment recently and I hardly dared see what they had done. But it’s great. They’ve somehow managed to open it all up inside yet retain the feeling of separate areas. There is still a private dining area that you can peek from the bar.

The pale green front bar with a stripped and stained wood floor offers a variety of seating – from the usual tables and chairs, to raised bar stools and benches and even some sofas and armchairs (placed strategically in front of a fireplace and large TV screen). Many folk seem happy to loiter at the bar or by the warming stove though.

Out to the rear is a never-ending dining area which has been busy on all three recent visits.
But most important of all, it’s dog friendly. I had a very nice chat with a local couple who own Poppy – a 12 year old former rescue dog with a distinctly Staffordshire Terrier look about her. Whilst her owners had thoughtfully placed a rug on the floor for her, she wandered around the bar saying “Hello” calmly to other pub visitors. No doubt in the hope of finding a stray chip.

There’s a good menu and the other night, when feeling a little peckish, I sampled the vegetarian sharing plate (they do a meat-eating version too). For £11 the wooden board contained a pot of olives and garlic, two sizeable pakora-like sweet potato chunks, some arancini (deep fried Italian rice balls) and a heap of flat bread with some houmous that had a bit of a kick.

Most wines I have tasted there have been good. And the Guinness passed muster too.

The Prince Blucher

The Prince Blucher Picture Gallery

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