Since moving to Richmond, the Red Cow has become a local haunt for my partner and I, it being about a 40 second walk from our new home. I've known about it's existence for a while, as a place to drive past on the way to somewhere else. Now, having had the chance to experience the pub, I'm not entirely sure it won't remain as such.

The 200 year old Red Cow has some great things going for it, to be sure. The food, for starters, is great. Their pizzas are exemplary, and great to have with a few friends as conversation flows between you in the quiet, relaxed environment. Service is excellent, with the bar staff being friendly and inviting in character, skilled and efficient in skill. As someone attempting to give up smoking with the use of an electronic cigarette, the fact that they permit me to use the device inside was a wonderful treat, as more and more establishments ban such things on appearance. The advantage of an small but serviceable outside seating area doesn't go unnoticed, either. However, the fact that it is on a paved section at the junction of two roads is less than desirable. 

Which leads to the problem, a problem which leads me to deduct a hefty amount of points: the location. This is no fault of the owners, but falls victim to the 'genius' of 18th Century road planning. With roads running either side of the pub, finding parking is a futile endeavour. The closest spots would be on Dunstable Road, of which there are 2 bays, charging 25p for 6 minutes of parking. The area as a whole is more or less exclusively residents parking only (A1 and A2 permits). Richmond station is about a 5 minute walk, but as with Albert's Deli, it is the opposite direction to the rest of Richmond. Thus, the Red Cow suffers the unfair situation of never really being able to be a destination for people outside of the immediate areas.

In conclusion, the Red Cow is a lovely, warm, comfortable pub with great service, good drinks and excellent food. For locals to the area, it's well worth avoiding the hustle and bustle of Richmond proper, and paying a little visit. And if you can't find it? Well, blame Georgian architects.