Wych Elm, North Kingston, Kingston Upon Thames

Traditional Fullers backstreet boozer. Basic opened-out L shaped interior though the lovely leaded stained windows are of significant note. A few locals in on a late Friday afternoon with a couple playing darts. Service with a smile, cask range of Pride, ESB, Dark Star Hophead & APA (NBSS 4) with a beer from Twickenham unavailable. A nice 30 minute stop and if I were local I’d certainly be happy utilising it. GBG22 listed. 7.5

A good solid pub hiding in the maze of backstreets in this part of Kingston. Two main bars, with a removable divider, but various different areas and a large terraced garden behind. Décor could probably be described as 'modern traditional' if that is not a contradiction in terms ; pub style furnishings but with stripped floor and some other twists without becoming over-trendy. The draught ales were ESB, London Pride, Seafarers, Hophead and St Austell Proper Job for some reason - condition seemed good.

Official site of Wych Elm - www.thewychelmkingston.co.uk

Official site of Wych Elm - www.thewychelmkingston.co.uk

This is a traditional backstreet pub, although it is one of the larger, stand-alone, variety. But a big effort has gone into giving it a homely feel. There are still several distinct, although connected, drinking areas. The room on the right is in the public bar style, and is bare-boarded, contains the dartboad, and had a TV on showing some Spanish daytime TV programme (the Spanish landlord is evidently still here). A doorway on the left takes you into the "saloon bar". This room is carpeted and has no TV (thankfully). A bit of screening at the back provides some separation from what I would regard as the lounge area. A garden is out at the back. All furnishings are normal tables and chairs with a some small round stools, plus the full array of tall stools at the bar. Interestingly, the stools in the "saloon" bar are slightly plusher than those in the "public bar". Notable feautures are the attractive green-banded windows signifying its Charrington heritage, the tiled fireplace at the back of the lounge area, and the foliage and potted plants occupying the window ledges and corners of the rooms. This is a Fuller's pub, having on London Pride, ESB, and Chiswick. The Chiswick was on top form. It does food on weekday lunchtime, and it looked like everybody except me in the saloon/lounge area was eating. I didn't see a menu, but the food I saw other punters tucking into looked like pub grub. This is a comfortable and well-maintained pub. It's a bit of a stroll out to this pub from the centre of Kingston, but I reckon that it's worth the effort, especially if you pair it up with the nearby Willoughby.