Richard I, Greenwich, SE10

Large Youngs eating first pub. Going back a long way and a large garden with big brollys at the very rear. It’s a much extended place and a bit of a maze to describe easily. The counter is apparent on entry and has six pumps one side, three on the other serving both Youngs beers and luckily Proper Job.

The Richard I is a Youngs pub that was originally referred to as Tolly's after the previous brewery owner of the pub, Tolly Cobbold before Young’s took it over in 1974. Clearly a building of some age it’s been extensively buggered about with and extended over the years, the last time in 2022 when the Youngs estate interior design team gave it another makeover and they expanded the pub by extending into what had been the former Greenwich Union pub next door. The two front bar rooms, which wrap around the central servery and were the original public and saloon bar set up which still retains the separate entrances from the street, have the feel of a traditional pub with some nice comfortable seating and wooden panelling in situ, although the Youngs decor team have covered a lot of the panels in mauve paint. Then beyond these is a large conservatory extension that goes across the entire pub and functions as a dining room. It’s very modern in decor and design and won’t be to the traditional pub enthusiast’s taste. And then beyond this is a very spacious enclosed courtyard garden with several sections undercover. However, the interior space I liked the most was the separate room, which was the former Greenwich Union, primarily because you cannot get to it from the front pub section and have to explore back to find how you enter it, but also because it has been tastefully done and although clearly modern does have a traditional pub room feel. Although the bar top supports nine hand pumps in total across the two sections, it’s the usual Youngs estate set up of multiple clipping and only three different beers in total. And as this reviewer finds Youngs Ordinary and Special a pale imitation of when they were brewed in Wandsworth, I went for the St Austell Proper Job, which was a very well kept pint and at just under the £6 price point was in keeping with the pricing level we experienced in the other Greenwich pubs. It is dog friendly but there wasn’t any in for our visits, nor was there any kids in or sweary women, but then it is well understood that the sisters of misfortune get a kick out of following the previous reviewer about. The Richard I is clearly a pub that can accommodate both drinkers and diners but difficult to see any USP’s for this one and there were no complaints when it was suggested we move on.

Official site of Richard I - www.richardthefirst.co.uk

Official site of Richard I - www.richardthefirst.co.uk

A Youngs pub is a somewhat posh residential road, which has a large patio garden at the back but is otherwise fairly nondescript. There is a room each side of the central bar with a garden room behind, all in dark green with boarded floors and industrial lighting leaving a somewhat empty feel. Apparently they are planning to extend into the former pub next door. The usual Youngs Special & Original plus Proper Job on pump.