We used to drink in the Dowager every Sunday - both pre Norman (Bill-the-perpetually-puzzled and Betty) and post Norman. Norman spent a good deal of time (and no doubt someone's money) refurbishing the pub.
It is clean and 'pretty', but as has been pointed out, characterless. The Sunday crowd was largely 'older' folks (40+ I'd say, many quite a bit older - including a pair of old dears - must have been over 90 - who always wore knitted hats and gloves that didn't fit), yet the decor is very 'trendy wine bar'.
On the up side, there is a lovely, spacious pub garden. My daughter, in Bill's day, used to be given permission to climb the Bramley apple tree and take home whatever she could carry. There both paved and grassy seating areas, and it is fenced off from the road, so it is fairly safe for children (apart from children who climb the apple tree, of course).
The Dowager serves food, and has a reasonably busy (if elderly) Sunday roast trade. I've eaten there a few times - the food is good and wholesome, if sometimes unadventurous.
All in all, not a bad pub, but I wouldn't hold it up as a 'typical' British pub, and wouldn't (now) travel to get there. If in Teddington, I'd probably choose the Adelaide. read more