Join the Campaign to Save the Dip
and help us to maintain this village treasure at the heart of Hampton life for generations to come.
Edited version of a photo by Kake, used under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA.
The heart of the Hampton community
The Railway Bell pub, known locally as the Dip, not only lies in the middle of the village but for over 160 years has been the heart-beat of the community where locals meet, build friendships, celebrate achievements and personal landmarks and, sadly, say farewell to loved ones that have passed.
Since the 1860's, and through several ownerships, The Dip has been at the heart of the Hampton as it transitioned from a small riverside village into a major London suburb whilst maintaining the feeling and friendliness of village life.
The goal of the Campaign is to ensure that the Dip remains as a thriving local pub at the heart of and serving the Hampton community.
The Railway Bell Experience
Have a look at the Gallery and see your family and friends having fun. Not there? Then, please send us photos of your experiences and memories of your time at the Dip.
Go to the Photo Gallery now and check it out.
Send copies of your photographs to: savethedip@gmail.com
When it's gone, it's gone
With the increasing threat of closures and conversion into residential use, there are only three pubs remaining in the central part of Hampton. The sale of the Dip, gives the community a golden opportunity to take control of this pub and keep it at the heart of our community for generations to come.
Whether you are a local resident, a journalist, a specialist pub operator or a local politician, this web-site provides information on the pub, its history, the Plan for community action and news of its progress.
We have got to act now to save the pub because once it's gone, it's gone.
How you can help
The goal is to purchase the pub and operate it professionally by the community, for the community while ensuring the operation is profitable and sustainable. To facilitate this goal, the Campaign Group has set up a Community Benefit Society.
The primary objective at the moment is funding. We need to raise money to purchase the property, refurbish and refit it ready to be re-opened as a thriving community pub. To do that we need to complete a Business & Financial Plan which is currently being drawn up for publication on 1st September.
We need the help of people in the community in several ways: to contribute to the funding requirement of circa £1m, provide professional and operational expertise or, at the very least, help us in the crucial task of spreading the message so other people understand the Campaign and its merits and so they too can contribute.
If you can help, in an any of these ways, then please Join the Group. You will be very welcome.
Other similar successes
There are many examples of similar communities across the UK purchasing and successfully operating their local pub. There is no reason why Hampton, with its population of 27,000 people and relative affluence, cannot do the same and follow on from the local success stories at the Hampton Pool (with its Swim or Sink campaign in 1985) and and the Park Lane stables which, after raising £1m, re-opened after major refurbishment in 2024.
So, come on: get involved however best you can. It is important and urgent we keep this little gem at the heart of Hampton life for generations to come.
To see how you can best get involved see the section Join the Group.