London is full of awful pubs. That’s why you need to know the great ones. Whether you’re after craft brews, fine dining, cosy corners or sun-drenched beer gardens, here are five of the very best of them.
The Mayflower
Maritime masterpiece overlooking the Thames
Orlando Gili
For such a historic pub, it’s surprising it was only 1957 when it became The Mayflower – after the famous ship, once moored nearby, that carried the Pilgrim Fathers to America. But everything else is properly old: a 16th-century pub in an 18th-century building on a cobbled backstreet, fitted with a creaking dark-wood interior worthy of a spume-sprayed quarterdeck. It doesn’t get much more nautical than this, especially if you’re out on the riverside jetty-cumgarden; at high tide the water’s so close it’s practically splashing your pint.
117 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF
Rotherhithe
mayflowerpub.co.uk
The Holly Bush
History and tranquility about Hampstead Village
Orlando Gili
Hidden in plain sight among petite terraced Georgian houses in one of Hampstead’s postcard-perfect hilltop backstreets, The Holly Bush is a world removed from the scramble of the city. Wood panelling, floorboards and seasoned leather complete the sense of timelessness, while upstairs, the Romney Room showcases the pub’s historic splendour. It’s worth booking for special occasions – not that you should need one to pay this comely pub a visit.
The Southampton Arms
Stripped-back boozer dedicated to simple pleasures
Orlando Gili
Tuesday night is jazz night at The Southampton Arms – but don’t let that put you off. In fact, this is the best time to visit for the toe-tapping music that’ll have you cheering for more. There’s no faffing about here, no phone, no reservations, no credit cards, and for that matter, not a lot of space – just steely-eyed focus on its eclectic range of independent beers and ciders, and ‘lovely meat’ – manifesting as juicy pork baps and award-winning pork pies. It works; you can’t beat simple things done well.
139 Highgate Road, NW5 1LE
Gospel Oak
thesouthamptonarms.co.uk
The Lyric
Showstopping beers in a characterful Theatreland pub
Orlando Gili
Even on a good day, it’s a maelstrom around Soho, Theatreland and Piccadilly Circus – so it’s very handy to know there’s the perfect place around the corner to pause for breath and steel yourself with a pint. But not just any old pint – The Lyric’s cup truly runneth over in the bar department, with a compendious selection of beers, kegs and bottles. With Victorian etched glass and panelling worthy of a stage set, plus an upstairs restaurant with hearty pub grub, you’ll soon be begging for encores in this little West End haven.
37 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LT
Piccadilly Circus
lyricsoho.co.uk
The Windsor Castle
Charming Georgian number with princely interiors
Orlando Gili
It’s less a castle, more a village local secreted away in the backstreets behind Kensington’s tourist hotspots. But when it was built in the 1820s, you could apparently see the real Windsor Castle shimmering in the distance. A doorway heavily laden with Virginia creeper leads to a string of stately oak-panelled drinking rooms, worthy of the pub’s regal name. And to the rear is the crown jewel: a suntrap of a beer garden surrounded by a quadrangle of whitewashed walls that defend your peace and quiet from the city beyond.
114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR
Notting Hill Gate
thewindsorcastlekensington.co.uk
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