Victoria Inn, Temple Sheen

Step back into interwar suburban London with this charming black‑and‑white image of the Victoria Inn, Temple Sheen. Nestled on a leafy corner beside the River Thames, this fully‑licensed local served as both a community hub and a bottled‑beer purveyor—proudly advertising “PHONE: PROSPECT 4238” (the era’s named telephone exchange) and “DISTANCE NO OBJECT” for deliveries anywhere.

In the foreground, an elegant 1930s saloon with its spare wheel mounted on the tailgate hints at the motoring boom, while a stylishly clad woman with a pram and her faithful terrier capture everyday life between the World Wars. Red‑brick façades, sash windows, and pitched-tile roofs speak to the suburban expansion of Richmond upon Thames during this transformative decade.

Why This Matters The early 1930s saw London’s outskirts blossom into commuter suburbs. Pubs like the Victoria Inn anchored new communities, offering more than just pints—they were vital social and commercial lifelines, famed for welcoming families and delivering bottled ales well beyond their immediate neighbourhood.

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