A British pub attracts thousands of tourists a year for a “crazy” reason, but it doesn’t convince everyone.
The White Cross Pub in Richmond calls itself a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” for a reason that makes it stand out from the crowd.
The pub’s beer garden floods twice a month at high tide, meaning customers don wellies to enjoy their pints.
Far from being a deterrent, the high tide acts as an incentive for thousands of people to visit the London pub each month.
However, not everyone is convinced, with some saying strolling along the Thames while drinking pints is their “idea of hell”.
The White Cross Pub in Richmond (pictured) calls itself a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” for a reason that makes it stand out from the crowd.
People online were amazed by the pub’s unique feature that attracts thousands of tourists.
During high tides, people happily sit in knee-deep Thames water for drinks and food, while some are forced to sit at tables themselves.
If the water rises more than 4.5 metres, the beer garden is likely to flood.
Staff must walk through the water to hand people drinks, while some guests even row to and from the pub to access it.
The pub offers wellies for customers who haven’t come prepared, but also lists on its website when high tides can be expected.
Brave customers can soak up the atmosphere and roll up their pants to walk alongside the swimming swans.
Many loved the concept and wrote on social media: ‘They turned a problem into a tourist attraction, genius’;
The pub’s beer garden floods twice a month at high tide, meaning some access it by boat and paddleboard.
The staff has to cross the water to deliver drinks to people.
Far from being a deterrent, many people travel miles to visit the pub, specifically choosing to visit during high tide.
During high tides, people happily sit in the knee-deep water of the Thames for drinks and food.
Even the dogs go to the pub at high tide, seemingly unconcerned about standing in the water of the Thames.
People stand on the flooded steps of the White Cross Pub on the River Thames during high tide in Richmond earlier this month.
The pub offers wellies for unprepared customers, but also indicates when high tides can be expected.
A woman talks to waiters on the flooded patio of the White Cross Pub
Far from being a deterrent, the high tide acts as an incentive for thousands of people to visit the London pub each month.
‘OMG this is why I love the British ‘;
“This is so brilliant.”
But others were more skeptical, saying, “They couldn’t pay me to sit in that pool of putrid water”;
‘I don’t know. I thought I’d rather accidentally touch lava than the water of the Thames lol;
‘This is my idea of HELL!!!!’;
‘Mom, can we go to Venice? No, we have Venice at home.
A recent video posted on Instagram by @loulouexplores garnered 44 million views, with many intrigued by the pub’s unique concept.
While some said the concept was “brilliant,” others said it was their idea of ”hell.”
“Did you know there’s a pub in London that floods?” said Lou, as he filmed the flooded pub.
‘At high tide, the water slowly moves along the path before completely submerging the beer garden.
‘At this point the staff put on wellies and it basically becomes a game where the floor is lava. This is probably the most exclusive pub I have ever seen.’
The White Cross says on its website: ‘Picture this: you’re stuck in the pub because of high tide, but hey, who’s complaining?’ With a cold drink in hand and the Thames washing your feet, it’s like nature’s little party trick!’
‘As the water rises, so does the banter between your friends, and there’s no need to fight over who’s brave enough to walk up to the bar for the next round, we’ll deliver it to you personally when you place your order via our On Tap app. ‘