My Favorite Pubs in London

I am often asked about what pub to go to in London for a traditional experience. The answer really depends on what part of the city you'll be on any given day.  So this is my official list of my Favorite Pubs in London. I have grouped them my neighborhood or area - I hope that helps.

Westminster:
Most people start their trip to London with the big three:  Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbeym and the Churchill War Rooms. Three great, traditional pubs in this area are:
 
1. The Feathers pub is considered a Flemish Pub (a people's cafe) and has over 150 years of history. When you enter, be sure to check out the sign over our pub's Victorian façade. It commemorates the feathers of the Prince of Wales, which is the heraldic badge of the heir to the throne. When the pub was built, the then Prince was to become the future Edward VII.
 
2. The Buckingham Arms With 240 years of culture, the pub retains many original features, including etched glass mirrors and stained glass. It was rebuilt in 1898 and renamed the Buckingham in 1901.

3. The Ship & Shovell  The two terraced houses that make up the Ship and Shovell were built in in the 1730s when the most southerly one had a clear view of the river via a porthole-like window. This enabled the dockers and carters who frequented the inn to keep an eye on the Thames and watch for ships that might need divesting of their coal and other goods. The buildings were later replaced and the pub was listed as the Ship and Shovel in 1852. It seems the perfect name for a pub whose clientele used to shovel coal from a ship. But in 1997 its name was changed to the Ship and Shovell (with two Ls) after a 17th century sea admiral.

Belgravia / Hyde Park:

4. The Grenadier in Belgravia is hard to find but has a cool story. It is located halfway down a beautiful cobbled mews lane off a grand Belgravia square near Hyde Park and Green Park. It’s name comes from the fact that it was built to house an army regiment. It has lots of history and stories (it may be haunted!), and it very cosy.
 
Notting Hill / Kensignton:

5. The Churchill Arms in Kensington is Instagram famous and it deserves that title. It is most famous for its extravagant Christmas lights, and for the flower displays in the spring. The story is that it was a favorite of Winston Churchill’s grandparents.

East London:

6. If you are on the east side of the city and love some good history and pirate lore, then I recommend the Prospect of Whitby. The Prospect of Whitby dates back to 1520. It has had many names over the years including the Devil’s tavern because of the pirates and criminal would meet here in the shadows to make their plans.
 
Bankside:

7.  If you have spent the day on the South side of the river at Borough Market and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, then you should make time for Anchor Bankside. It was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1676,  This pub is the sole survivor of the riverside inns that existed here in Shakespeare's time when this district was at the heart of the theatre district. It was frequented by many actors from the local playhouses, including the Globe, the Swan, and the Rose. It was frequented by Shakespeare, Dr Samuel Johnson, and diarist Samuel Pepys. who wrote about the Great Fire from this location. If that's not enough, it was also a favorite place for river pirates and smugglers. Over the centuries it has been used as a tavern, a brothel, a chapel, and a brewery.​

Richmond:

7. If you are If you travel West to visit Richmond, then you have to visit the White Cross Pub (and you definitely need to make a reservation ahead of time!)
I talk about this one on the blog, but this one dates from the 18th century and is right on the edge of the Thames. The Thames varies from 17-22ft with the tides, and at high tide it will flood the entrance to the pub. They have wellies for you to use to be able to escape.
 
Greenwich:

8. And if you decide to travel to Greenwich for the Naval College, Prime Meridian and the Cutty Sark, then you definitely need to visit the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich. The Trafalgar Tavern was built on the site of the long-established Old George Tavern, whose landlord Charles Hart continued at the helm of the Trafalgar until his death in 1863. In 1865, the London, Windsor and Greenwich Hotels Company was formed to unite the ownership of the Trafalgar, Ship, and Yacht taverns and in 1896 George Damiral, former mariner and local confectioner took it on as the Trafalgar Hotel, running a sweet manufactory in the basement. The Trafalgar closed in 1915 and variously became an institute for aged merchant seamen, a working men’s club, and later an unemployment center. It was saved from demolition in 1937 by being converted into apartments for the navy and did not reopen as a pub until 1965, when its old interior was gutted and lavishly remodeled by craftsmen from Pinewood (movie) Studios giving every appearance of a 1960s film set.​​