The Castle Bar

The Castlebar (formerly the King's Arms) is the kind of place you walk past a hundred times and then finally step into, only to wonder what took you so long. From the High Street it looks like a small, traditional pub, but push through to the back and you'll find a genuinely lovely beer garden — heated in winter, buzzing in summer — that's become the real draw for Teddington locals. Reviewers consistently call it "Teddington's finest" and praise the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that makes groups and solo drinkers alike feel at home.

The bottomless brunch is the headline act: endless drinks alongside a solid food menu that goes well beyond standard pub grub. Cocktails are a strength — the bar team clearly takes pride in them — and there's a decent range of beers and wines too. Sunday roasts get regular shout-outs, and the kitchen handles both brunch and evening dining with confidence. Live music nights add another layer, turning a quiet local into a proper night out.

It's not perfect — service can slow down when it's packed, and the food, while good, isn't going to blow away anyone who's eaten at London's top gastropubs. But that's not really the point. The Castlebar is about the whole package: a warm welcome, a great garden, drinks done well, and a crowd that actually wants to be there. For a weekend brunch or a sunny evening in the garden, it's hard to beat in this corner of south-west London.