The Watermans Arms

This is one of my regular haunts in Richmond. I used to always go to the White Cross which is on the river (and really busy in the summer months) a little further down the same road but in the winter months I prefer the Waterman’s. Plus it is right opposite the small cinema in Richmond (not the big Odeon).

It’s a really traditional pub. Quite small. Nothing special. Apart from two things. First, Sam – the resident Labrador who potters around and makes friends with most visitors whilst cadging a crisp. Second, the fire. In winter months you can be sure there will be a welcoming open fire to provide some warmth and a nice focal point. I have to say that the Irish publican always says hello and has a chat – so you quickly feel like you belong there. There’s often a couple of men in there enjoying a quiet pint on their own and during the day you will often see men sitting at the tables reading the papers or doing the crossword. And as a woman who sometimes likes to have a quiet drink on her own while waiting for a mate or on a sunny Sunday afternoon stroll around the town, I feel quite comfortable sitting there by myself (with Sam the dog at my side, natch!). Yet you find all sorts of people in here – young and old, couples, small and large groups. Space permitting.

It’s a favourite place for those who like rugby – and when there’s a match on in nearby Twickenham you can be sure the place will be heaving. The rest of the time there’s a TV screen in the corner playing sports – and you often get groups of people here watching a particularly important match.

There’s an area behind the bar which is nice if there’s a group of you. I met a bunch of guys on a stag night there earlier this year – and it turns out that they were nearly all publicans from surrounding bars. Talk about a busman’s holiday!

They do provide food – and I think it’s Thai – but I can’t say I have ever eaten there as there is so much chose from the surrounding places in Richmond town centre.

It’s on a narrow cobbled road leading down to the river. So take care if you are wearing heels. And it doesn’t have a garden although there are a couple of tables at the side and the front where you can watch the world go by if it isn’t too cold.

A really traditional pub – long may it remain.