Hare and Hounds

This pub survives

The Hare and Hounds is one of the few historic public houses in Mortlake parish to have survived to the present day. This large inn with substantial grounds, situated at 216 Upper Richmond Road, is described in the 1914 Valuation as an old brick-built, double-fronted house with a brick parapet. It had been adapted as a public house and has been described as a coaching inn. Its origin is unknown but from 1772 until 1795 Thomas Bosley was landlord of the Hare and Hounds. From the mid-19th century, it was owned by Youngs brewery of Wandsworth. It was often used for the sessions of the various courts of the Lord of the Manor.

The Hare and Hounds was owned by Young's brewery at the time of the 1914 Valuation. The building was then described as having three floors; the second floor had four bedrooms; on the first floor were a dining room, drawing room, a further small room, kitchen, bath and wc; the ground floor had three bars and a coffee room. There were also cellars. On the right of the main house was a modern building containing a billiard room with two tables as well as a lounge. On the left of the main house was an old building used as a lock-up shop with a loft above it. In the grounds there was a brick and slate stable and a wood coach house, along with a large bowling green.

In the 1901 Census the landlord of the Hare and Hounds was Arthur Perrin, described as a licenced victualler who lived on the premises with his wife Mary. Their niece Violet and nephew Gilbert, who was described as a cellarman, were also resident on census night. Bessie Blythe a barmaid, Mary Wayth, a servant and George Moulden, a groom, also lived on the premises.

During the 1930s the inn was renovated but many of its historic internal structures were preserved. A Tuscan porch leads to the central main door and there is a brick-built extension over the carriage entrance. In 1983 the Hare and Hounds was awarded Grade II listing, and it continues to be a popular public house and is well-established in the local community.

The 1618 Survey of Mortlake contains a reference to "a victualling house" called The Dogge, then owned by Robert Glasscock. This property probably stood opposite today's Hare and Hounds. JE Anderson refers to "the dog field" and "dog gate" as well as "The Dog" which was "perhaps a beer house" in the 18th century, but little more is known of this inn.