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The best historic and famous pubs in London. Salty sailors, dodgy smugglers and famous regulars – every one of these pubs has a great story to tell. Wednesday 26 June 2024. Written by Laura...
- The Hawley Arms. Famed for: noughties rock ‘n’ roll fans, Amy Winehouse. If you’re not a certified expert in the Great Britannia Rock ‘n’ Roll Movement - please see, The Braless Kate Moss Years - then you might wrongly presume that this Camden pub is home to a somewhat self-absorbed graffiti artist called Amy.
- The Coach & Horses. Famed for: Jeffrey Bernard, Private Eye lunches, and hot political gossip. Long before millennials were claiming to be hardcore for downing six flaming sambuca shots whilst on a Magaluf trip their mums paid for, there was the 70s Soho crowd whose weekly alcohol units presumably hit the high thousands.
- The Prospect of Whitby. Famed for: smugglers, pirates, and importantly, Del Boy. Calling all fans of Poldark and anyone who enjoys reading Wikipedia entries about notable pirates, this pub on the Thames is really going to get the old nautical juices flowing.
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Famed for: Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, and being really, really old. Most old school London boozers will claim to have been the setting where Charles Dickens wrote something that is now very famous.
- Skehans. Bars and pubs. Pubs. Nunhead. price 1 of 4. A place of legend in Nunhead, this towering corner pub is as fun as it is friendly. It’s family-run and independent, a rare thing these days in London, and attracts everyone from OAPs to local bands, chic fashion students and troupes of cheerful lads.
- The Southampton Arms. Bars and pubs. Pubs. Gospel Oak. price 2 of 4. Ideal for a pre- or post-Hampstead Heath ramble, The Southampton Arms is the kind of dimly lit trad spot where a bloke who looks a bit like your grandad might suddenly hop on the battered old piano and sing a heart-rending ballad, causing you to become so overcome with emotion that you start weeping into your obscure IPA and drop your pork bap.
- The Coach & Horses. Bars and pubs. Pubs. Soho. price 1 of 4. The Coach & Horses is an iconic Soho pub frequented in the 1970s and 1980s by fabulous theatre types and the notorious journalist Jeffrey Bernard, who Peter O’Toole immortalised in the Keith Waterhouse play “Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell”.
- The Duke. Bars and pubs. Pubs. Bloomsbury. Like something straight out of a Patrick Hamilton novel, The Duke is an elegantly wasted timewarp to the 1930s – all art deco mirrors, mahogany booths and the lingering feeling that maybe, just maybe, you’ve accidentally ended up in an episode of jolly 1990s bigamy-based sitcom ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’.
Sep 29, 2023 · These are the best pubs in London right now, from Waterloo hideouts to West London's favourite riverside spots and far beyond – it's time to raise a toast
- Euan Ferguson
- Best Pubs in Central London
- The Dog and Duck, Soho
- Best Pubs in North London
- Best Pubs in East London
- Best Pubs in South London
- Best Pubs in West London
The Harp, Covent Garden
Unlike so many central London pubs, The Harpdoesn’t focus on food. Instead, the key emphasis is the very nature of the traditional British pub: drinking. A relatively small venue near Charing Cross station, The Harp boasts gorgeous stained glass windows as well as 10 hand-pumps along with guest brews, ciders, and perries from around the country. The first London pub to win the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) National Pub of the Year competition in 2010, The Harp has also won the West London CAM...
The French House, Soho
A Soho institution, opened in 1891, The French House has become particularly renowned for its food offering in recent years. Originally opened by Margot and Fergus Hendersonin 1992, the dining room is now run by chef Neil Borthwick, who serves a regularly changing fine dining. Downstairs, the pubs is unashamedly classic, with no TV, music, or mobile phones allowed in the bar. Moreover, beer is served in half-pint measures, and a good number of wines are served by the glass. The French House c...
The Coach & Horses, Soho
One of a few Coach & Horsespubs in central London, this Soho pub is known for once having “London’s rudest landlord,” Norman Balon. Today, the Fuller’s owned pub is much friendlier. With wood panelling and a loud carpet, the pub is also home to a piano, around which sing-alongs are hosted. As for refreshments, a standard range of Fuller’s beers are poured. The Coach & Horses can be found at 29 Greek Street, London, W1D 5DH.
Although licensed from 1734, The Dog and Duck’scurrent building was built in the late 1800s. With an ornate Victorian interior, the pub was regularly frequented by George Orwell during the 1940s, and the upstairs dining room has been named in his honour. Owned by Nicholson’s, the central London pub boasts a decent selection of beers and ciders, plu...
The Compton Arms, Islington
One of three Canonbury pubs chosen as inspiration for George Orwell’s The Moon Under Water, The Compton Arms is a 16th century free house. According to the website, The Compton Arms is “a contemporary country pub, hidden in north London”. Having previously housed a kitchen residency from Four Legs, the pub’s food is now served by Belly, a new concept from former head chef at Satsu, Reece Moore. The Compton Arms can be found at 4 Compton Avenue, London, N1 2XD.
The Southampton Arms, Kentish Town
The Southampton Arms’ websitereads as though written by Basil Fawlty, but don’t let that put you off. With 18 hand pumps and two keg taps, the North London pub only sells beers and ciders from small independent UK breweries. Walking up Highgate Road, look for the ‘Ale Cider Meat’ sign, which hangs from the building. While the beer selection is nothing short of exceptional, The Southampton Arms still feels very much like a local pub, with an impressive food offering also served, including saus...
The Drapers Arms, Islington
A neighbourhood North London pub, The Drapers Armsis particularly cherished for its food offering. Past the emerald green bar, the pub has a slightly more formal dining room towards the back of the venue, with a daily changing menu championing dishes which strike the middle ground between rustic pub fare and thoughtful, modern technique – surprisingly never pretentious. The pub also has a sizeable wine list of note, curated by owner Nick Gibson. The Drapers Arms can be found at 44 Barnsbury S...
The Royal Oak, Bethnal Green
Dating back to the early 1920s, with its parquet flooring and wood panelling, a visit to The Royal Oakfeels like stepping back in time – much like Nicholas Lyndhurst in Goodnight Sweetheart, much of which was set in this classic East London pub. A homely pub with a horseshoe bar, a good range of ales and accomplished food, The Royal Oak provides a perfect pit stop to follow a trip to the flower market (or visit during the week when things are a bit less hectic). The Royal Oak can be found at...
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, City
Accessible via a side street off the main road, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a Fleet Street icon, rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire, the Samuel Smiths pub has a rich history, favoured by the likes of Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. It’s also worth noting that the chain steers away from large corporation spirits and soft drinks. Instead, everything served here is produced by the North Yorkshire brewery, from the competitively priced beers through to crisps, peanuts, and pork scratchings. Swea...
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
Said to be the oldest riverside pub in London, The Prospect of Whitbydates back to 1520. With a rich history – notoriously frequented by pirates, smugglers, and thieves – the pub’s original flagstone floor and rare pewter-topped bar remain, while sweeping views of the Thames are offered from most seats in the East London pub (as well as from the beer garden and balcony). Now owned by Greene King, the food and drink offering is fine, if not revolutionary, but the view and history make The Pros...
The Riverside, Vauxhall
An oasis hidden away in the St George Wharf complex on the banks of the river Thames, The Riverside boasts amazing views up and down the river and over London’s skyline. There are surprisingly few watering holes on the south side of the river near central London and on a sunny day you will get a tan until sunset. You can also still see central London, if the idea of South London scares you. South London Lite, if you will. The Riverside can be found at Riverside Walk, London, SW8 2JE.
The Sun, Clapham Old Town
Tucked away in Clapham Old Town, just far enough from the bustle of the high street, savour a pint of real ale at The Sunafter a picnic on the common or refuel with a plate of freshly cooked pub food after walking the dog. Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood lives near-by, so put on your best attire. The Sun can be found at 47 Old Town, London, SW4 0JL.
The Prince of Wales, Kennington
Situated on Cleaver Square, The Prince of Walesis a beautifully-preserved Georgian gem, close to Kennington tube station, the Oval, and the Imperial War Museum. The pub is reputed to have been the favourite watering hole of the Richardson gang, arch rivals to the Krays, during the 1960s. Now actors, judges and politicians can often be found enjoying a quiet pint. It is always a favourite for those going to the Oval to watch cricket. The Prince of Wales can be found at Cleaver Square, London,...
The Old Ship, Hammersmith
A picturesque riverside pub, The Old Ship has become somewhat of a West London waterside landmark, established in 1722. Resembling a Roman villa, the pub also has a riverside terrace, which offers sweeping views of the Thames, and is a particularly popular spot for watching the boat race. A comfortable pub, expect a standard Young’s drinks offering, while the food menu utilises seasonal and local produce in its traditional and modern pub food classics. The Old Ship can be found at 25 Upper Ma...
The Antelope, Surbiton
Formerly home to Big Smoke Brew Co.’s brewery – before moving 20 miles down the road to a new, larger premises – The Antelope is also home to a self-contained new dining space, The Brewhouse. As well as offering Big Smoke’s full range, various real ciders and small batch spirits are poured, served alongside a food menu rich with meats smoke in-house, channelling a distinct North American feel. Big Smoke’s beers are a must try here: especially their Underworld Milk Stoutwith nuances of malted...
The Cow Pub & Dining Rooms, Westbourne Park
A cosy venue on Westbourne Park Road, The Cow recently celebrated its 25thanniversary. One of the first gastropubs of note, the West London pub continues to champion excellent food, with a particular focus on seafood. A pint of Guinness with six oysters is one of the pub’s most popular orders, and for good reason. The Cow Pub & Dining Rooms can be found at 89 Westbourne Park Road, London, W2 5QH.
Find the best pubs in central London and beyond with our extensive guide, including pubs with beer gardens for refreshing pints on sunny days, traditional pubs steeped in history, and the top gastropubs in town for Sunday roasts and more.
May 2, 2024 · Central, North, East, South and West – here’s the Secret London lowdown of 50 of the best pubs in London to enjoy a tipple or two.
