The Roebuck — Restaurant in London

There's always an apprehension whenever you see a pub proclaiming to be a "Free House", you're not quite sure what you're walking into. You hope for a variety of independent beers, a uniqueness, not bound down by the identikit pub chains - too often are you met with call centre meeting room aesthetics and Doom Bar. I'd be lying if I didn't have a slight feeling walking up to this one that I'd be in for the same.

The Roebuck is none of those things. A short walk from Fulwell station, somewhere between Twickenham and Teddington, sits this bright terracotta coloured corner pub in a sea of nothingness.

4-5 real ales on cask, a few local ones, and an array of keg beers from a couple of independent offerings to your usual accessible lagers. Cash is preferred if you're only having one, to round up the amount in a panic I ordered a sandwich - forgot the crisps - but it still only came to £7. Something to be said for the humble sandwich, a pub snack favoured by many but eroded in favour of £3 bowls of nuts or a £5 gourmet sausage roll.

Once sat down you begin to actually take in the pub. The walls adorned with what at first glance seems to be clutter, but yet, it sort of flows, nothing is out of place. The wicker Harley Davidson, the tabletops with international currency under them, the Holsten Pils football, the photos of wartime London. I could go on. An Des de Moor article from 2011 summed it up perfectly about this very pub;

"The best pub collections are those that are clearly stamped by a particular personality or interest. Exploring them can be a bit like reading a story — or a poem"

The lady behind the bar was nice and chatty, but left me with my sandwich and solo pint enjoying the 80's tunes. Once I'd finished up, she said "come back again!", and I will, I can't wait. I want to sit in another space staring at another section of the wall with another sandwich and a fresh pint of ale. Life is good when pubs like this exist. Nothing...

I have driven past this place about fifty times and always thought it looked great - a proper pub. Finally got an opportunity to go in (on New Year's Eve 2022) with my partner and our two year old son.

The weather was absolutely awful and we were driving past and decided to grab a quick drink. We went in around 3-4pm and were told immediately by the woman behind the bar that "children aren't allowed in the bar". Because she said "bar" rather than "pub" or "in here" I assumed she meant there were other parts of the pub we'd be welcome so I asked where we could go instead of the bar and she looked bemused and replied "the garden?". I looked out at the driving rain and asked if it was covered and she said no. On that basis we obviously left. A real shame as it looked nice inside.

Firstly I just think it's very sad to not allow children in a pub. I understand (and agree) with this rule after a certain time (like 7-8pm) but a blanket rule seems really miserable. Secondly, I also think the communications could be improved - maybe a sign outside saying "we don't allow children" or staff who say children aren't allowed in the pub rather than "in the bar". We drove back into Teddington and went into The Railway Pub where we were greeted by a lovely barman wishing us a Happy New Year. We stayed for a couple of drinks and had some food too and it was great.

I very much like a drink in a local pub (sometimes with my son but usually on my own) and I won't be returning to The Roebuck on principle. You hear stories about how hard pubs are finding it to make any money these days and surely cutting out a large group of potential customers is madness, never mind...

Cracking little local pub. Good range of real ale and interesting lagers. Quiet, with a good number of people who obviously come here regularly for a chat and a beer. Lunchtime food available - sandwiches a ploughman's lunch type stuff. Staff are really friendly and knowledgeable about the beer they sell, and prices are reasonable for London (£3.90 for a pint of hand pulled bitter). Lovely little courtyard...