LONDON PUBS: A LOCAL’S COMPLETE GUIDE
LONDON PUBS: A LOCAL’S COMPLETE GUIDE
Cait Shaw
It will come as no surprise that drinking is a big part of the British social life. Every second, the British drink 247 pints of beer and 232 glasses of wine! Across the UK – not just in London – the local pub is often the heart of the community. It is the place colleagues come to unwind after a day at work, the location for long Sunday lunches and great conversation, and the place to catch up with friends and family when you return home. Even if you don’t drink, you should not miss out on immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the “local boozer” on your next trip to the UK.
It has taken over a decade of intensive research to pull together this ultimate London pubs guide… A tough job, but someone had to do it! There is a pub on almost every street in London (over 3500 at last count!), and a snazzy bar on every other, so you are spoilt for choice. The below is a list of my favourites watering holes – from the traditional to the chic – I hope you enjoy!
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BRITISH PUB ETIQUETTE
Drinking Age
You must be 18 to purchase alcohol in the UK, but over 16s can drink wine with a meal if accompanied by an over 18.
“Last Orders”
An 11pm closing time is traditional. “Last orders” are announced by a member of staff, ringing a bell, about twenty minutes before the pub shuts.
Getting Served
Unlike continental Europe where table service is the norm, you will almost always need to go up to the bar to get served. Move away from the bar once you’ve ordered to allow the next person to get their drinks! Gastropubs are the exception – they’re basically restaurants!
"Getting a Round In"
Buying a drink for everyone in your group is normal. Everyone takes turns, and if someone has “got the round in” you are expected to reciprocate.
Tipping
Not expected but unlikely to be refused!
And finally, a myth to be busted!
THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH PUB
The origins of the British pub can be traced back (as with much of British life!) to the Romans, who made wine and ale shops common across the UK. But it was in Tudor England (1485–1603) that they really took off. The term “public house” was first recorded in the seventeenth century, and over the next century was shortened to “pub”.
From early on, pubs were one of the few locations that served both rich and poor alike making them an integral part of the social history of the UK. Therefore some of the most historic London pubs are as old – and as much a part of the fabric of the city – as the medieval Tower of London.
LONDN'S MOST TRADITIONAL PUBS
The Mayflower Pub
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This tiny pub claims to be the oldest on the Thames. Go mid-week or book ahead – being so small it gets seriously busy so try to avoid the weekend.
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Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
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A must do for literary lovers as much as for fans of London pubs! Samuel Pepys, Charles Dickens, Dr Samuel Johnson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle all drank at this seventeenth century pub. Food is pretty average so I recommend coming for a drink to soak up the history before dinner in Soho.
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Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn
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One of the oldest pubs in London. Queen Elizabeth I is said to have danced around a tree in the garden… Slightly difficult to find – look out for a small alleyway at the southern end of Hatton Garden, next to Solitaire Jewellers.
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Prospect of Whitby
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Claims to be the oldest riverside pub in London, having served on this premises since 1520. The terrace out the back is prime location for a summer’s evening – but expect to fight for your place as it is seriously popular.
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Ye Olde Cock Tavern
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Extensive gin collection in the skinniest pub in London. Dating from 1549, and on the same site since 1887. When not at the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese over the road, Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys drank here.
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Westminster Arms
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Very close to Westminster Abbey, this pub is famous for its division bell. A bell that rings to let Members of Parliament know they need to dash back to the Houses of Parliament to vote.
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SUNDAY LUNCH AND OTHER BITES
These are some of my favourite pubs for Sunday lunch, but they are also great for a meal at any time of the week!
Prince Albert
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One of my favourite pubs in London, and my local for years. Excellent Sunday lunches with humungous Yorkshire puddings. Great place to spend an afternoon with a glass of red wine after a walk around Battersea Park.
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The Scarsdale Tavern
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Friendly, cosy pub in Kensington with real fires and a terrace beer garden. The lamb shoulder is a firm favourite amongst locals for good reason. Good wine and real ale lists.
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White Hart
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Surprisingly good food from a chain pub, in a lovely riverside spot. Very popular with rowers at the weekend, creating a fun atmosphere. Its location in Barnes is not that well served by public transport, so you either need to rely on the bus or walk along the Thames River path from Richmond or Kew to reach it.
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The Crabtree
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This place does seriously good food which can compete with any of the great restaurants in the area. Fantastic staff that really know their food and drink. In the south-west borough of Fulham, it is the perfect place to fuel up after a walk in Bishop’s Park. The fairy-light strewn garden on to the River Thames is lovely. Try and get one of the seats under the weeping willow.
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The Wigmore
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I have rarely tasted anything as good as the cheese toasties here. They are that good. The accompanying cocktails are pretty decent too!
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The Lighthouse Battersea
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Surprisingly wide range of excellent vegetarian and vegan pub grub, alongside the meaty classics. The service lets the food down as it is consistently slow, so don’t go when you’re in a hurry!
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BEER GARDENS AND SUMMER DRINKS
The Engineer
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Good food in one of London’s original gastropubs with a lovely large garden in Primrose Hill. My favourite menu choice is the gnocchi with kale pesto and goat’s curd, and The Husband rates the range of beers.
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The Avalon
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Why only have the one garden when you can have three? This Clapham establishment is famous for its burgers, and has several outdoor areas, including a huge garden to the back. If BBQ meat is your thing, they host hog roasts regularly.
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The Gipsy Moth
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This nautical themed pub in Greenwich has a lovely patio with views directly on to the Cutty Sark. Even better, there is a retractable roof meaning you can sit out in all weathers.
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The Prince
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This Earl’s Court watering hole has London’s largest pub garden and also probably its prettiest. Excellent street food vendors rotate weekly, and it has become something between a food hall and a pub.
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The City Barge
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Gorgeous fourteenth century riverside pub in Chiswick, the seating out front is right by the river and is a really wonderful place for an alfresco drink as the sun comes down.
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The Ship
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Seriously great beer garden on the banks of the Thames in this seventeenth century Wandsworth pub. There are few places better for summer afternoon drinks with friends. It can get very busy at weekends, and punters spill out into the walkway in front. Guest ales change twice a month. Several of the outdoor booths are heated so get there early if you feel the cold!
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Churchill Arms
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Famous for its incredible floral displays (worth a whopping £25,000 a year… and an extra £5,000 on Christmas decorations), it also serves good Thai food and real ales.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cait Shaw
Hi! I'm Cait! I am a frequent expat and passionate language learner. I have lived in Oman, England, Scotland, France, Russia, China and Australia, and to date, have been lucky enough to travel to over 55 other countries!
I have travelled extensively throughout the Arabian Peninsula, having lived in Oman for several years, so let me help you plan the trip of a lifetime to this fascinating region, and allow you to get behind the headlines and usual tourist hotspots. I can save you hours researching hotels, itineraries and where to eat - and take the stress and worry out of travelling to a less familiar destination. Tried and tested recommendations from a local expat.
There are also few corners of my home nation - the United Kingdom - I have not yet explored, so know exactly where to recommend for you to have the very best trip to England, Scotland and Wales. These are the tips that will get you to the best historic castles, the most dramatic beaches and the tastiest pubs!
I have travelled extensively around Europe, and in particular through France, including having lived in Paris. If you are thinking of visiting in 2024 for the Paris Summer Olympics I can help you design an incredible itinerary to make the most of this gorgeous country, as well as seeing some world class sport!
I look forward to helping you organise the trip of a lifetime!
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