King's Head faces Teddington pub closure for October works

The Teddington pub closure you need to plan for starts after Sunday lunch on 27 September, when the King’s Head on the High Street shuts its doors for three weeks of major refurbishment. The Heartwood-owned venue, known for its large terrace and bustling brasserie, will reopen for dinner service on Thursday, 22 October with what General Manager Harriet Walker describes as innovative plans to make better use of the existing space.

The closure comes after a busy summer trading period during the extended heatwave.

When the doors close

Your last chance for a pre-refurb visit is Sunday lunch on 27 September.

The King’s Head will serve its final customers before the builders move in, with the bar and brasserie both closing after the Sunday service. The three-week programme represents one of the most significant updates to the High Street pub in recent years, though the Heartwood group has remained tight-lipped about specific details beyond confirming the work focuses on spatial improvements rather than expansion. The timing suggests the pub wants to complete the work before the autumn half-term and the lead-up to the festive trading period.

If you have table bookings for late September or early October, expect contact from the venue to reschedule.

What's being changed

The refurbishment centres on reconfiguring the interior layout.

General Manager Harriet Walker told the local press the plans are designed to make better use of the pub’s existing footprint, which includes the street-facing bar area, the rear brasserie section, and the popular terrace and garden spaces. While the exact nature of the spatial changes has not been disclosed, the investment suggests more than cosmetic updates. The King’s Head has built a strong reputation as one of Teddington’s busiest drinking and dining venues, and the Heartwood group typically undertakes refurbishments of this scale when repositioning a site or responding to changing customer patterns.

The reopening dinner service on 22 October should reveal whether the layout favours the bar trade, the dining offer, or a better balance of both.

What this means for you

If the King’s Head is part of your regular routine, you will need alternative plans for the four weekends from 28 September through 18 October. The closure affects not just casual drinkers but also anyone with standing bookings for Sunday roasts, weekday suppers, or private gatherings during that window. Check your diary now and contact the pub directly if you have reservations in the affected period. For those who use the terrace as a meeting point or the brasserie for business lunches, consider booking ahead at nearby alternatives such as the Adelaide or the Tide End Cottage to secure your preferred slots during the closure.

The King’s Head returns to service on 22 October with what the management promises will be a noticeably improved use of space. Whether that translates to more covers, better flow, or an enhanced drinking area remains to be seen, but the three-week closure window suggests the ambition is significant.

Frequently asked questions

When exactly does the King's Head close?

The pub closes after lunch service on Sunday, 27 September 2026 and reopens for dinner on Thursday, 22 October 2026. That gives a closure period of just under four weeks.

Will the terrace and garden be affected?

The refurbishment focuses on internal spatial changes, but the entire venue will be closed to customers during the works. The terrace and garden areas will not be accessible during the closure period.

Can I still make bookings for late October?

Yes. The pub reopens for dinner service on 22 October, so you can book from that evening onwards. Contact the King’s Head directly to check availability and confirm the booking system is live.

What other Heartwood pubs are nearby?

Heartwood operates a small group of pubs across West London, but the King’s Head is the only Heartwood venue in Teddington itself. You will need to look at independent alternatives or other pub groups in the immediate area during the closure.