Immediately I wish to inform you about the very best winter pubs in London. When the climate cools and the times get shorter, town’s watering holes are the proper locations to be. From traditional wood-paneled interiors to cozy nooks and warming fireplaces, the UK capital has no scarcity of seasonal pubs. Learn on for an inventory of my favorites. I’ve included a map and every part.
Winter Pubs in London
I’ve been looking for out the coziest pubs each winter since I moved to London. I’ve spent a number of time with mates in native ones and central favorites through the years. It’s certainly one of my go-to methods to beat the seasonal blues and escape the grey skies outdoors.
I’ve loved warming Sunday roasts within the warren of rooms in my favourite pub in Hampstead (extra on that later), winter evenings holed up in Holborn, and an embarrassing variety of days consuming consolation meals in Belgravia.
Whether or not you’re searching for a pub with traditional English drinks, conventional English dishes, or simply good ambiance, there’s a spot (or 5) within the metropolis for you. A few of them even have rooms you possibly can keep in.
1. The Holly Bush
I’ll begin my checklist of the very best winter pubs in London with my favourite. The Holly Bush in Hampstead was once my native, and it’s nonetheless my prime decide for a spot to fulfill mates within the cooler months.
Tucked away on a curve in a slender residential road, this 18th-century pub encompasses a warren of wood-paneled rooms with fireplaces.
Discovering it looks like unlocking a secret, and spending a day or night over meals and drinks is an effective way to flee the winter chill on this a part of north London.
In case you’re right here throughout the Christmas season, you’ll benefit from the sight of garlands, pine cones, lights, and reindeer. There’s a particular festive menu, too.
2. Ye Olde Mitre
Subsequent on my checklist of the highest winter pubs is Ye Olde Mitre. Hidden away in a slender alley off Hatton Backyard in Holborn, this place dates again to 1547. It’s certainly one of my favourite watering holes within the metropolis.
With a collection of small wood-paneled rooms, this pub will whisk you off to a forgotten period. Ye Olde Mitre has featured in well-known films like Man Ritchie’s Snatch as effectively.
In case you’re searching for someplace off the crushed path however nonetheless central, this can be a nice alternative. Simply take into account that it’s closed on Sundays.
3. Prospect of Whitby
The Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping is one other of my favorites in winter. It’s not solely London’s oldest riverside pub, but in addition certainly one of its greatest.
Filled with legend and lore, this Sixteenth-century watering gap is claimed to have been visited by everybody from Samuel Pepys to Frank Sinatra. Above all, it has nice ambiance to match its centuries of historical past.
If you wish to sit with views of the river within the cooler months, this place is simply the ticket. Its darkish wooden interiors are nice for cozying up and escaping the winter chill.
4. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
The historic Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one other of my favourite locations to gap up in winter. One in every of London’s final remaining Seventeenth-century chophouses, this pub has a storied historical past.
The location it’s on was initially a Thirteenth-century Carmelite monastery. A pub was constructed right here in 1538, but it surely burned down within the Nice Fireplace of 1666. It was rebuilt in 1667.
Historic figures like Dr Samuel Johnson, Mark Twain, W.B. Yeats, and Charles Dickens all frequented the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It’s even alluded to in A Story of Two Cities.
Entry to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is through a slender passage off Fleet Avenue. As soon as inside, you’ll end up in a warren of wood-paneled rooms and cellars. You’ll hear legends of ghosts and tales of a parrot named Polly, too.
If you wish to eat right here, the signature dish is Ye Olde Steak & Kidney Pudding. If not, it’s nonetheless value getting a drink and exploring the completely different areas as you dodge the rain or snow outdoors.
5. The Churchill Arms
In case you’re in London at Christmastime, you possibly can’t beat the Churchill Arms for ambiance. The facade of this well-known pub in Kensington will get a festive makeover within the run-up to December twenty fifth.
From mid-November every year, The Churchill Arms dazzles with its forested frontage. It’s full with rows of Christmas timber and tens of hundreds of twinkling lights. The within is full of festive cheer, too.
In case you’re searching for someplace to flee the chilly and revel in seasonal foods and drinks, it’s the proper place. Simply remember that they serve Thai meals, so don’t count on conventional British fare.
6. The Mayflower
Out in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower is one other of my prime picks for winter pubs in London. This place is legendary for being the placement the place the Pilgrims departed for America in 1620.
Along with Pilgrim-related paraphernalia set over two flooring, the pub encompasses a centuries-old warren of rooms and a great deal of historic ambiance.
Add to that eating by candlelight, river views, and atmospheric fireplaces, and this place is the proper spot to cozy up for Sunday roast in winter.
The Mayflower is certainly one of my favourite pubs in London throughout the festive season, too. It goes all-out for Christmas, and its yuletide feast is a factor of legends. Suppose warming soups, filling roasts, and Christmas puddings, and also you’ll get the image.
You’ll be able to even eat right here on Christmas Day (and in the event you’re a homesick American like me, they’ve a Thanksgiving menu so that you can take pleasure in).
7. The Grenadier
Subsequent on my checklist of the very best winter pubs in London is The Grenadier. Tucked away down a winding mews in Belgravia, this place is a former officers’ mess. It’s not solely enjoyable to seek out, but it surely’s additionally steeped in army historical past.
The Grenadier options an intimate inside with a great deal of ambiance. There are foreign money notes from all around the world on the ceiling, a historic bar, and many army memorabilia on the partitions.
The comfortable rooms, wooden paneling, and purple leather-based banquettes right here make this place excellent for winter. As soon as you discover it, you’ll love escaping the chilly and darkish as you tuck into scrumptious foods and drinks.
8. The Spaniards Inn
Proper on the sting of Hampstead Heath, The Spaniards Inn is without doubt one of the most well-known pubs in Hampstead.
This place dates again to the Sixteenth century. The street narrows round it, and its a number of flooring of wood-paneled rooms are stated to be haunted (I haven’t seen a ghost but, although).
The Spaniards is the proper place to cease for lunch on certainly one of my free self-guided Hampstead Heath walks. It’s simply the spot to fill your boots after burning some winter energy.
Through the festive season, the interiors are decked out with garlands, wreaths, timber, and stockings. It’s an ideal place absorb the seasonal ambiance in one of many metropolis’s most historic watering holes.
9. Trafalgar Tavern
Subsequent on my checklist is the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich. A Grade II listed constructing, it’s value a particular journey. In-built 1837, it was named in honor of Admiral Nelson’s victory on the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Uniquely, it’s additionally identified for the truth that the water from the Thames splashes in opposition to the aspect of it at excessive tide. Individuals come from throughout to observe the pub get soaked by the waves. Its recognition makes it among the best pubs in south London.
This place can also be beloved for the memorabilia inside. In winter it will get embellished with garlands and lights for Christmas, too. Even in the event you’re not right here throughout the festive season, its grand rooms are nice for warming up in a convivial ambiance.
10. The Grazing Goat
In Marylebone close to Marble Arch, The Grazing Goat is one other of my favourite pubs in London in winter. From meals to decorations, it’s laborious to beat.
Nestled within the coronary heart of New Quebec Avenue, this place has a modern-meets-classic vibe. At Christmastime, its upstairs and downstairs eating rooms are decked in wreaths, lights, candles, and pine cones.
Even in the event you’re not right here throughout the festive season, it’s nonetheless a comfortable place to gap up in central London when the skies are darkish and the climate is chilly. Given its proximity to Oxford Avenue, it’s the proper spot for a relaxation after procuring.
11. The Harwood Arms
One other nice London pub in winter is The Harwood Arms in Fulham. This pub has a Michelin star, and it reveals off London’s traditional pub meals at its greatest.
The Harwood Arms is a perfect place to attempt every part from Scotch eggs to treacle tart. In case you’re right here on a Sunday, it might be impolite to not bask in a conventional roast with all of the trimmings.
Given it’s ripe for multi-course meals, the pub is the proper spot for leisurely afternoons and evenings in winter. And who wouldn’t need that?
12. The Flask
Subsequent on my checklist is The Flask in Highgate. Like The Holly Bush in Hampstead, this split-level pub is bursting with attraction.
With atmospheric fireplaces and a collection of historic eating rooms to cozy up in, The Flask is ripe for whiling away lengthy winter evenings.
In case you’re right here within the run-up to Christmas, its festive menu and decorations add particular cheer. The Flask is open on Christmas Day, and it’s additionally a well-liked place for events and occasions within the weeks previous December twenty fifth.
13. Cittie of York
The historic Cittie of Yorke is one other of my prime picks for winter. Proper on Excessive Holborn, this Grade II-listed public home has a protracted historical past. Whereas the present constructing dates to the Nineteen Twenties, there’s been a pub on this website since 1430.
The interiors of the Cittie of Yorke ooze heritage, and there are a number of rooms and little alcoves to tuck into. Whichever one you select, the wooden paneling and old-world attraction are certain to please.
Everybody from Charles Dickens to Dylan Thomas has written about this place. The heavy timber beams and large picket barrels make it an ideal one to spend a day or night in throughout the winter. It’s even on the route of my free Holborn stroll.
14. Princess Louise
Additionally in Holborn, the Princess Louise is value a particular journey in winter. In-built 1872, this well-known place has a collection of beautiful wood-paneled Victorian rooms to discover. It’s certainly one of my favourite pubs in London relating to aesthetics.
Winter is a superb time to be right here as a result of it’s a really perfect place to get cozy in one of many many atmospheric nooks tucked all through the pub.
In case you’re right here at Christmastime, there are festive menus to take pleasure in and garlands gracing the darkish wooden interiors.
15. The Lamb & Flag
In Covent Backyard, certainly one of my favourite winter pubs is The Lamb & Flag. This historic watering gap is understood for being a favourite of Charles Dickens.
Each the downstairs bar rooms and upstairs eating room have a great deal of ambiance. In case you like picket furnishings and fireplaces, you’re in for a deal with.
In case you’re right here at Christmas, even higher. This place has a festive menu that includes every part from turkey with all of the trimmings to beef and vegetarian dishes. They even have seasonal music and beer to take pleasure in.
16. Fox & Anchor
Subsequent on my checklist is the Fox & Anchor. Proper by Charterhouse Sq., this place is without doubt one of the most atmospheric pubs I’ve been to in London. The darkish wooden interiors and stained glass are beautiful.
Which is to say nothing of the tiny picket alcoves behind the Fox & Anchor. They’re my favourite locations within the metropolis for a comfortable winter meal.
With the intimate really feel of a confessional and the consolation of pub meals, these nooks are simply the spots for luxuriating over a plate of fish and chips. In case you can’t tear your self away, there are rooms you possibly can keep in upstairs, too. You’ll be able to e book one right here.
17. Sherlock Holmes
One other nice winter pub in London is the Sherlock Holmes. Situated close to Charing Cross station and Trafalgar Sq., this place will not be solely eye-catching on the skin, but in addition atmospheric on the within.
Higher but, the pub has a small Sherlock Holmes diorama museum on the highest flooring. It’s value a particular journey in the event you’re a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s well-known detective.
Both manner, the painted rooms, full of life bar space, and Sherlock memorabilia on the partitions are certain to maintain you entertained on a protracted winter’s night time.
18. The Anchor Bankside
Conveniently situated by Shakespeare’s Globe and London Bridge, The Anchor pub in Bankside not solely has an ideal facade with plenty of vivid purple accents, but in addition a main location on the Thames.
The Anchor is the proper place for a pint after a day of sightseeing or a winter stroll alongside the South Financial institution. Its a number of flooring of historic rooms are ripe for exploration.
It’s nice at Christmas, too. Given its location between the South Financial institution Winter Market, Borough Market, and Winter by the River, it’s the proper spot to relaxation your legs after a stint of consuming, procuring, and absorbing the seasonal highlights.
19. The Roebuck
On Nice Dover Avenue in Borough, The Roebuck is one other of the very best winter pubs in London. That’s not least as a result of it’s housed in some of the eye-catching buildings within the UK capital. There’s even a smiley face on the prime that’s excellent for chasing the winter blues away.
Courting again to the nineteenth century, this Grade II-listed pub close to London Bridge is certainly one of my favourite locations to {photograph} within the metropolis. Past a shocking exterior, The Roebuck options an ethereal floor flooring and a laid-back upstairs lounge.
An unbiased pub, it gives beers and ales from all over the world. It additionally has a menu that includes dishes made with native produce. It’s the proper place to gap up on a winter afternoon or night and bask in comforting foods and drinks.
London Pub Stroll & Itinerary
If you wish to see extra cozy and atmospheric pubs this winter, you possibly can go on my free self-guided pub stroll. It can take you across the Metropolis of London and present you a number of the greatest watering holes within the space as you go. A few of them are stated to be haunted!
Moreover, I’ve created a pub itinerary when you have longer to spend. From The Harwood Arms to The Churchill Arms, it is going to present you a variety of pubs on this checklist.
Map
As promised, I created a map of all of the pubs I discussed on this weblog submit. You’ll be able to see it right here. I hope it helps you discover your favorites!
Greatest Winter Pubs in London
I hope you’ve loved this take a look at my favourite winter pubs in London. Town is a superb place to eat and drink within the cooler months, and I’m certain you’ll love these watering holes as a lot as I do whenever you go to.
If you wish to see extra, I’ve written about a number of different pubs in London. You’ll be able to check out my prime picks for inspiration.
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