If ever there were a pub worth travelling the entire breadth of the District Line for, it’s this one. Down by the river in Richmond, you’ll find the White Cross. This charming little boozer is perched right on the waterside, and serves up great beer, lovely pub grub, and sweeping views up the Thames. Sounds pretty dreamy, right?
Well, as dreamy as it is, there’s just one little catch. When paying a visit to the White Crossit might not just be your whistle that gets wet. When the tide is high, the water starts to creep across the pathway, eventually submerging the entire beer garden in water. Anybody fancy a pint and a paddle?
Credit: @thewhitecrosspub via Instagram
The Thames in Richmond is tidal, meaning that several times a month, the tide rises exceptionally high, flooding the beer garden and blocking the entrance of the Grade II listed pub. But this isn’t the Whtie Cross’ first rodeo, so if you get trapped inside the beer garden during a flooding (I can certainly think of far worse places to be trapped), fear not.
As soon as the water starts to rise, the bar staff change into their trusty wellies and get on with it. Customers can order on the app and have their drinks brought straight to the table, so no wading to the bar is necessary. For anyone wanting to get involved in the action, the pub also has a big old supply of wellies at the ready, for punters to change into and have a splash around. The water may be rising, but not as quickly as the vibes in the garden, that’s for sure.
Credit: @tommascord via Instagram
It’s a truly unique London experienceand the tidal information is up on the pub’s website for visitors to plan their visit around, whether you want to avoid the water or wholeheartedly embrace it. The pub tends to fully flood around three to four times a month but regulars say that at least a little bit of water seeps into the garden daily.
With all the wonderful things that the pub has to offer, a couple of wet socks seems like a small price to pay. And as a wise woman once said: the tide is high but I’m holding on… to my pint. I think that’s how the song went, anyway…
Find out more about when the tide will be high and plan your visit here.
📍 You’ll find The White Cross at Riverside House, Water Lane, Richmond, TW9 1NR. I mean, with an address like Water Lane, what did they expect?
