Visit The Spaniards Inn, featured in the work of Dickens
There’s no better way to finish off a walk on Hampstead Heath than with a drink in The Spaniards Inn. It has the feeling of a country pub (and is especially cosy in winter) but is very much a part of the city, even getting a mention in Dickens’s The Pickwick Papers. Their selection of cask ales rotates regularly, so you’ll always find something to pair with their gastropub food offerings.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Mon:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tue:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wed:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thu:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sat:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London, England, NW3 7JJ, United Kingdom
+442087318406
Discover prime pub grub at Marksman Public House
The Marksman was named Michelin Pub of the Year for 2017, becoming the first London pub to earn the title, so that should give you a strong indication of its quality. As well as the traditional wood-panelled bar area, the Marksman also has an upstairs dining area, added by chefs and owners Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram in 2015, which serves up classic British fare and knockout Sunday roasts.
Sun:
11:00 am – 12:00 am
Mon:
11:00 am – 12:00 am
Tue:
11:00 am – 12:00 am
Wed:
11:00 am – 12:00 am
Thu:
11:00 am – 12:00 am
Fri – Sat:
12:00 pm – 12:30 am
Sat – Sun:
12:00 pm – 12:30 am
254 Hackney Road, London, England, E2 7SJ, United Kingdom
+442077397393
Enjoy a pint at the historic Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a Fleet Street institution, having been standing since just after the Great Fire of London when it was rebuilt (and there was a pub on the same site before that, too). Explore the many nooks and crannies of this historic pub before settling in with a pint or two of Sam Smiths.
Mon:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tue:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wed:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thu:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sat:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
145 Fleet Street, London, England, EC4A 2BU, United Kingdom
+442073536170
Indulge in Michelin-star food at The Harwood Arms
As The Harwood Arms holds a Michelin star (the only pub in the capital to currently have one) and is co-owned by Brett Graham of The Ledbury, it’s clearly a very good place to come and eat. They really focus on using the best ingredients from top suppliers, including game when it’s in season. Throw in their extensive wine list, and it’s also a great place to come and drink.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Sun:
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Mon:
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Tue:
12:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Tue:
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Wed:
12:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Wed:
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Thu:
12:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Thu:
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Fri:
12:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Fri:
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Sat:
12:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Sat:
6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Walham Grove, Fulham, London, England, SW6 1QP, United Kingdom
+442073861847
Find out about Lamb and Flag’s bare-knuckle brawling background
Given its prime location in Covent Garden, the Lamb & Flag can get very busy, but it’s worth putting up with the crowds because it’s a real gem of a pub. It has plenty of history, even gaining a reputation for bare-knuckle brawling in the 19th century, and it doesn’t feel like much has changed inside over the years. As well as plenty of ales and beers behind the bar, the Lamb & Flag also has a strong whisky collection if you fancy something stronger.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Mon:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tue:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wed:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thu:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Fri:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
33 Rose Street, Covent Garden, London, England, WC2E 9EB, United Kingdom
+442074979504
Enjoy riverside views from The Mayflower
The Mayflower is a quintessential English pub and has the distinction of being the oldest pub on the Thames – you can still spot the point where The Mayflower was moored in 1620 before it sailed onto the south coast and eventually America. Old church pews adorn the charming interior, but there’s little better than enjoying a pint overlooking the river from the terrace.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Mon:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tue:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wed:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thu:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Fri:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
117 Rotherhithe Street, Rotherhithe, London, England, SE16 4NF, United Kingdom
+442072374088
Browse the Earl of Essex’s endless beer selection
If you’re serious about beer, then the Earl of Essex is the pub for you. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Upper Street, this Georgian pub will surprise you with the sheer range of craft beer (in bottles, casks and kegs) they have on offer. The day’s brews are listed on one wall, and the selection can include beers from around the corner in Camden to beers from across the Atlantic and virtually anywhere in between.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Mon:
12:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Tue:
12:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Wed:
12:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Thu:
12:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Fri:
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sat:
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
25 Danbury Street, Islington, London, England, N1 8LE, United Kingdom
+442074245828
Sit down for an intimate tipple at The Harp
While The Harp may look small from the outside, it packs in a lot of beer and cider behind those stained-glass windows. The pub offers 10 hand-pumps along with guest brews, ciders and perries from around the country. While they do serve bar snacks, this is a drinker’s pub and the booze comes first.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Mon:
10:30 am – 11:30 pm
Tue:
10:30 am – 11:30 pm
Wed:
10:30 am – 11:30 pm
Thu:
10:30 am – 11:30 pm
Fri:
10:30 am – 12:00 am
Sat:
10:30 am – 12:00 am
47 Chandos Place, Charing Cross, London, England, WC2N 4HS, United Kingdom
+442078360291
Feel at home at Blythe Hill Tavern
A traditional Victorian pub located just between Forest Hill and Catford, ‘The Blythe’ is an ideal local. It has a relaxed atmosphere, huge garden, plenty of sports on their TVs and pop-up food trucks parked up Thursdays to Saturdays. ‘Con’ (the landlord) and his staff will offer a very friendly welcome with open fires and traditional Irish live music, while cider lovers will fall in love with their wide selection.
Mon – Wed:
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thu – Sat:
11:00 am – 12:00 am
Sun:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
319 Stanstead Road, London, SE23 1JB, United Kingdom
+2086905176
Discover how The Carpenters Arms became a part of gangster history
The Carpenters Arms has quite the history – Ronnie and Reggie Kray’s mother used to own it – and though it’s a much more relaxing place to visit now, it hasn’t lost that traditional feeling. The beer selection is wonderfully varied, with lots of bottles joining those on tap, and it’s struck the right balance between being buzzy but not too busy.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Mon:
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Tue:
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Wed:
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Thu:
4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Fri:
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sat:
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
73 Cheshire Street, London, England, E2 6EG, United Kingdom
+442077396342
Step back in time at Jerusalem Tavern
Although the interiors are a few centuries old, the Jerusalem Tavern has only been a pub since 1990. You’d be hard-pressed to notice though as it feels like there couldn’t have possibly been anything else here. The pub is run by the folks behind St Peter’s Brewery in Suffolk, so you’ll find their top range of beers, including their fruity brews, behind the bar.
Mon:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tue:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wed:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thu:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
55 Britton Street, Farringdon, London, England, EC1M 5UQ, United Kingdom
+442074904281
Tuck into hearty fare at Crown and Anchor
Sister to the also excellent Jolly Butchers in Stoke Newington, the Crown & Anchor prides itself on its beer selection, with many brewers from across the country on show and new beers appearing all the time. Their beers, ciders and ales are also used in the kitchen, cropping up across the classic pub grub food menu.
Sun:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Mon:
4:30 pm – 12:00 am
Tue:
4:30 pm – 12:00 am
Wed:
4:30 pm – 12:00 am
Thu:
4:30 pm – 12:00 am
Fri – Sat:
4:30 pm – 1:00 am
Sat – Sun:
12:00 pm – 1:00 am
246 Brixton Road, London, England, SW9 6AQ, United Kingdom
+442077370060
Experience old-fashioned charm at the Southampton Arms
Ale, cider, meat – that really does tell you everything you need to know about the Southampton Arms. The beers and ciders come from independent breweries across the UK, including the likes of Burning Sky, Howling Hops and Five Points, and the meat comes in bar snacks and on charcuterie boards. The Southampton Arms is also charmingly old-fashioned; they don’t like to take phone calls, reservations or card payments. So, don’t forget to bring a wallet full of cash!
Sun:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Mon:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tue:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wed:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thu:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri:
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sat:
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
139 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, England, NW5 1LE, United Kingdom
+447375755539
