Lovely local pub with a nice selection of ales. The people working the bar were unbelievably nice - especially the very sweet man who was interested in our international group of friends and said "bye" to my husband in Estonian 🥹🥰 The locals were very friendly and chatty. All round nice pub.
Best local pub around! If you're looking for a good, proper, old-school pub, The Willoughby is it! I also highly recommend the Sunday night pub quiz -- just pitch up with your team and join in... no need to register, no cost. And the two beautiful, friendly German Shepherds make this a pub not to be missed!
I have known this pub and its landlord for many years, although I don't live in Kingston.
I went for the New Year's Eve celebrations 2024 and to take part in the Karaoke.
Just wonderful on all levels. Topped by seeing the Landlord Rick and his Missis in their element.
Wise friend and great landlord Rick runs the best pub in the area bar none.
Like walking back into the 1970s. But in a good way.
Had a couple of pints here with mates last night. The beer selection was a bit bizarre, with lots of porters and stout, but I was quite happy with a pale from Exeter Brewery.
The team are super friendly and having left a bag behind, I was amazed when someone not only picked up the phone at 1045, but said they'd found it.
The decor is like something from Minder in the early 80s. Terrible lighting in parts but there are areas that are more dimly illuminated. Probably a good thing! There's also a pool table and a couple of darts boards which is awesome.
The audio system also sounds like it's on its last legs but I'm sure it's had a good innings!
Anyway, who needs music. They had Morris dancers performing in the garden to last night.
Definitely pay this place a visit!
This pub is a real understated gem. Took me 4 years of being in the area to finally discover it on account of the pub history book I'd bought, and you wonder why you'd never been before.
My first visit was on a sunny afternoon a little while ago, able to dabble in the SEVEN real ales they had on tap and wash down arguably the best pub snack going in the form of mini poppadoms in a bag with tiny mango chutney. But on the bar, was Heineken 0.0. A permanent offering, and a mental note was made.
Roll on Dry January, and a dreary day lead me back here in the hope of a pint of it to scratch that itch. Fresh on the bar after just selling it out the night before, another weird little bag of it was plonked on the machine, and my delicious pint of AF macro lager was ready.
The pub itself dates back 1885 where it's listed as being under the ownership of Hodgsons, and in the 1960's, an addition to the eclectic Kingston music scene, Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds are said to have rehearsed in the upstairs function room. After 125 years, it finally achieved independent status, and now regularly features in the GBG.
Pool table, two dart boards, big garden, live sport, and the biggest but friendliest pub dog I've ever seen (it's a Newfoundland - I'll dig out a photo for the stories), as well as some chatty locals and friendly staff, make this place an absolute must visit for anyone looking for a pub to tick or pint to have.
If for whatever reason I have to move away from the area, I'll be gutted I didn't spend more time here.