Over the years, many of Richmond’s pubs have disappeared, either demolished or converted into shops and flats.
Once central to their communities, these establishments now exist only in the memories of locals.
Last year, over 400 pubs closed across the UK, with London experiencing the highest number of losses—55 closures in the capital alone.
Despite this, London remains home to 3,470 pubs, continuing its storied pub culture.
Sam Cullen’s new book, London’s Lost Pubs (£20, Pen and Sword), explores the histories of over 200 vanished pubs, drawing on online reviews and pub guides dating back to the 1920s to bring these forgotten places back to life.
Cullen, whose favourite lost pubs include the Zeitgeist in Lambeth and Sun and Dove in Camberwell, said: "As much as it's sad that these pubs don't exist anymore, I wanted to make sure they are not lost to time by telling their stories, their history, and some of the quirky characters who drank in them.
"Pubs can tell you so much about social and cultural history. The book is a celebration of pubs that existed as a vehicle for looking at aspects of London life.
"My criteria for inclusion was that they closed within the past twenty-five years, and there was an interesting story to tell."
Lost Pubs by Sam Cullen was published by Pen and Sword Books on January 31.
Here is a look at some of the most memorable lost pubs from Richmond which feature in the new book.
Charlie Butler – 40 Mortlake High Street
Charlie Butler was the only London pub named after a then-living employee of its owned brewery.
Charlie Butler, an award-winning head horse keeper at Young’s Brewery in Wandsworth, retired in 1966 after 43 years of service, during which Young’s horses won over 3,000 prizes.
The pub opened in 1968, replacing the Old George, which had been demolished for road widening—a change that wasn’t entirely welcomed by locals, despite Young’s refusal to reconsider.
The pub stood near The Stag Brewery, once home to Watneys and later Budweiser production, but by 2011, plans emerged to demolish the pub and build flats.
A petition opposing the closure gained attention, particularly from the London Jazz News, as the venue hosted open mic nights and jam sessions.
Despite this, it shut in 2012, and a police raid later that year uncovered Class A and B drugs.
The building was demolished in 2013, but Charlie Butler’s name lives on in an unexpected place—his pub’s sign now hangs in the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Houston, Texas, gifted by the Young family at the start of the 21st century.
The Ham Brewery Tap – 4-6 Ham Street
First opened in 1893 and rebuilt in 1934, The Ham Brewery Tap was a lively local pub with a long history.
In 2003, its usual white exterior was briefly painted a "vile yellow" as a joke before being restored to its original colour.
Well into the 2010s, the pub was thriving, hosting poker nights, karaoke, quizzes, and even Sunday meat auctions.
However, it closed by 2019, and in 2022, there was a plan to convert the site into a vet’s surgery, but it was later withdrawn.
Today, the building is empty.
The Hole in the Wall – 3 Park Road
Originally the Park Road Arms and dating back to 1868, this tiny pub earned the nickname "Hole in the Wall," which became its official name in 1967 after a rebuild by Ind Coope.
It closed in 2006 and soon caught national attention due to a grisly discovery.
As developers eyed the site for flats, Sir David Attenborough, stepped in and bought the building in 2009, aiming to preserve it while maintaining the greenery of the pub garden.
However, during renovation work in 2010, a human skull was unearthed.
It was identified as Julia Thomas, a local woman murdered and dismembered by her housekeeper, Kate Webster, in 1879.
Most of her remains had been found in the Thames, and Webster was later hanged—the only woman ever executed at Wandsworth Prison.
The Manor Arms – 62 Railway Side
Tucked away down a narrow passage in Barnes called Railway Side, The Manor Arms was a hidden gem that many would easily miss.
With no road access, beer deliveries were wheeled down the alley.
In 2011, it was renamed The Idle Hour, but this new identity lasted just over four years before the pub closed for good in February 2016.
Shortly after, plans were approved to convert the building into a house and two flats.
While the transformation is complete, the pub’s green-tiled frontage and Manor Arms signage remain.
The Queen Dowager – 49 North Lane
Originally known as The Two or Jolly Lawyers, this pub was renamed The Queen Dowager by 1851 in honour of Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV, who had lived nearby at Bushy House.
A favourite haunt of staff from the National Physical Laboratory, it was part of the Young’s brewery estate from 1860 until its closure in October 2011.
According to Teddington Town, the pub saw frequent landlord changes before its final licensees were given just nine days' notice of closure.
Determined to end on a high note, they threw a farewell party with live music before the pub was demolished less than six months later to make way for flats.
In early 2023, its old pub sign resurfaced on eBay as part of an auction of vintage Young’s signs.
The Triple Crown – 15 Kew Foot Road
Tucked away at the end of Kew Foot Road, this Richmond pub was originally called The Tulip Tree and is believed to date back to at least 1870.
In 1985, its Irish landlord renamed it The Triple Crown to celebrate Ireland’s rugby triumph in that year’s Five Nations Tournament.
Its location near Richmond Athletic Ground made it a fitting spot for rugby fans, and in the 1990s, it gained a reputation for its wide selection of ales.
By the 2000s, it was still a solid choice, though its beer range had dwindled.
The pub closed sometime after 2016, but with no residential conversion yet, its doors might not be shut forever.
The Three Pigeons – 87 Petersham Road
Dating back to 1715, The Three Pigeons was rebuilt on the riverside in 1871 at the request of the Duke of Buccleuch.
In the 1980s, a controversial rebranding as The Raj—complete with pink walls and a colonial Indian theme—proved unpopular, and the pub soon reverted to its original name.
Financial troubles led to its closure in 1993, and while renovations were planned, a suspected arson attack in 1994 caused extensive damage.
The building remained in limbo for years before being converted into flats in the late 2000s, marking the end of its life as a pub.
The Water Gipsies – 70 High Street
Opened in 1967 to serve the Wates estate, The Water Gipsies was named after A.P. Herbert’s novel, which featured a fictional inn inspired by The Dove in Hammersmith.
Lady Herbert illustrated the pub’s sign, and by 1979, it was described in a local newspaper as "not so much a pub, more a way of life."
Known for its welcoming atmosphere and basket meals, it remained popular until closing in 2003.
It was converted into a nursery in 2005.
The White Hart
This former pub had impressive literary and theatrical connections.
It was once owned by actor David Garrick, who also owns a pub and a theatre named after him in Central London. The pub was featured in a scene from Oliver Twist.
In the scene, Bill Sykes and Oliver stop for a drink before a burglary in nearby Chertsey.
The present building, rebuilt in 1898, doesn’t directly claim these connections, but it stood as a local landmark for many years.
It remained in business until 2003, after which it was converted into flats the following year.
