Choosing a pub in Richmond on an August Sunday

You'll love Richmond. Only pub I've been to was the White Cross, which has riverfront seating. Really nice. I'm sure any pub in central Richmond will be good.

The only one I've been to is the Princes Head and enjoyed it both times. Any will probably be a good experience.

Kew Gardens is a BIG place and there is absolutely masses to see there - especially get into the Palm House (which will be warm and crowded on an August Sunday) because of its imminent removal of plants and closure for several years for refurb.

You may find that you are bushed for a 2 hour walk of Richmond.

Richmond is a cute little neighborhood (town?). The Princes Head was cool to see but I really enjoyed The White Cross. The prior poster noted its riverside location but this pub is often IN the river. I was there when river water surrounded the pub and people took their shoes off and continued drinking on their patio. Cool, old pub with a characteristic riverside vibe and great views. I did not eat there, but the food looked good and the real ale was great.

Pub Grub at Angel and the Crown and The White Cross is fine.

The Shaftsbury is pricey but good. The Botanist at the far end of Kew serves good food.

Best pub dog Rudi at The Mitre on St Mary’s Axe.

PS. Pre Ted Lasso ate at The Princes Head. Very disappointed.

I had lunch at The Prince's Head last year and enjoyed the meal very much. The service was wonderful (the server, a handsome man in his early 40's) kept calling me "love, which thrilled me a bit, and my Shepherd's Pie was very good. Plus it was fun to see all the tourists outside taking photos of the place. :-)

Claudia, if your visit was pre-Ted Lasso, that was over 5 years ago. :-)

I can't advise re: pubs, but there is a very nice resale shop right there on the corner coming out of Ted's alley. High quality goods and very reasonable prices. Well worth a stop in if that's your jam.
Another bar featured in TL is So Bar in Brewer's Lane. I guess it was Bones and Honey. I noticed it because there are what appear to be two drop-down tables outside so that you can take your pint outside and have somewhere to set it down. Very clever.

We stayed near Kew Gardens last year and went to The Victoria in Sheen on a recommendation. It's in a residential area, on the way back to London from Richmond. A great pub in a nice little hotel. I'd give it some thought if there are no time restraints.

Quick warning: outdoors means smoking. Non-stop, nasty smoking. You can call ahead and ask if by some miracle it isn’t allowed in an outdoor space… but in my experience, it always is. It would spoil a meal for me, TBH.

People are allowed to smoke outside pubs. If this is going to be an issue for you it’s not the best place to go. They also allow people with BO, small yapping dogs and too loud voices. It’s the nature of a communal space.
That said, in a beer garden in summer a lot more people won’t be smoking than are.
One thing to be aware of going to a pub in Richmond in the evening of a summer Sunday is that some (many?) of the people will have been there for a good few hours and they will have had a drink. Be prepared to be around people who might be a bit merry. It shouldn’t be a problem but if it is for you I wouldn’t recommend it.

It’s also worth checking if there is anything going on at Twickenham stadium on the day you plan to visit. Richmond is always very busy on those days.

I agree about the smoking outside, and there's not much you can do about it. I would opt for an indoor seat if possible no matter where you go.

All: Thank you for the recommendations and extra thanks for the warnings about smoking, as I'm very sensitive. I don't think I will mind the liveliness of others drinking, although I'm on new meds that preclude my enjoying a drink myself for the coming months!

And Nigel, Thanks for the warning regarding the size of Kew Gardens. I know we will need to pace ourselves there to save some energy for the Ted Lasso tour. I hope to just enjoy what we can and cross my fingers that I can return someday soon with my husband to see more. I'm even wondering if the Kew Explorer Land Train, which allows on and off, might be a good option.

Mardee been going to London and it’s surrounding neighborhoods since 1972.

Over 5 years ago my film and tv producer friend rented out a 5 bedroom house on the outskirts of Richmond on Sheen Road. Easy peasy stroll from there into Richmond, Richmond Park or East Sheen. Stayed there more than once. So got to know Richmond and East Sheen neighborhoods quite well.

As I said totally unimpressed with the Princes Head.

Have a pub I love near Richmond. As noted the sweetest pub dog named Rudi.

Look if people wanna go to a place they’ve seen in a film or TV Series fine.

Spent 30 years as film and TV Location Scout and Manager. I get it.

I also get that I wasn’t impressed with the Princes Head when I went for lunch there.

wondering if the Kew Explorer Land Train, which allows on and off, might be a good option.

It is worth checking the frequency on the day - it varies. I've used it several several times to get my wife to fav places, but in recent years it has sometimes become a bit less frequent, often hourly. For hop on hop off you might prefer a little more frequent.

The map on the Kew website helps to pinpoint areas of interest, and the descriptions there of the special areas are helpful.

Thanks, Nigel. I've downloaded the map, identified some priorities and the walking distances on google maps, and plotted a tentative plan. We can be very flexible, and I'm planning a relaxing lunch and rest in the middle of our visit. I will check when we get there on the frequency of the Explorer, because once an hour probably won't be worth it.

I would like to recommend an alternative if you are open to establishments other than pubs- down along the water is the Richmond branch of Stein's, a traditional Bavarian beer garden. They serve German food and beer (I believe they also have non alcoholic beer) and soft drinks. I don't think I've seen anyone smoking there. It's my favourite place in Richmond.

Thank you, Cat VH. Stein's does look inviting.