The great British pub is more than just a place to enjoy a pint or two; it’s become known worldwide as an institution embedded in the UK’s culture.
However, far more than a venue to drink, pubs can shine a historical light on where they are in the capital and who they might have been named after and offer a narrative of London’s social, economic and political history. Whether you’re meeting in a pub for lunch or for dinner on an exciting night out, you’ll be hard-pressed not to find a pub that doesn’t have a story to tell.
This article explores the tradition of pubs, their names, and how they belong in London. From being steeped in history, famous for their city views, or as hidden gems, take time to have a pint and discover these charming and traditional London pubs.
Traditional London pubs listed in this article:
- The King’s Arms
- The Princess Louise
- Dickens Inn
- The Ship
- London Navy
- The Locomotive
- Railway Tavern
- Steampacket
- The Engineer
- The Plough
- The Copper Kettle
- Old Boot
- Garden Gate
- The Faltering Fullback
- The Greyhound
- The Bird in Hand
- Fox & Hounds
- Hare & Hounds
- The Cricketers
- Bat and Ball
- Dog and Gun
- Sportsman
- Sixes
- Flight Club
- Book Club
- Magic Garden
Check where to find them on our dedicated map.
A nod to London’s royalty
Traditionally, a pub, a public house, and an old inn bore the names of their location or the royal person sitting on the throne in that era. Many London pubs, therefore, date back several centuries and carry the weight of history in their signs and architecture.
Historically, landlords adopted names, such as the King’s Head or the George, to pledge allegiance to a particular member of the Royal family. Other names also hint at royal connections, including The King’s Arms. This authentic pub in London overlooks the River Thames and has a rich decor, featuring royal memorabilia and a centuries-old connection to Britain’s royalty.
Living history written in signs
Undoubtedly, pub signs provide an interesting insight into social history. The Princess Louise dates back to Victorian times and is suitably outfitted with etched glass, carved wood, and a gilded ceiling, while the Dickens Inn invites guests to step back into the life and times of Charles Dickens. Such key historic pubs depict London’s evolving society and its diverse personality.
Other drinking establishments across the capital hark back to its maritime and seafaring past which can be explained at the Royal Museums in Greenwich. Pubs like The Ship and London Navy connect today’s revellers back to a golden age of innovation. Likewise, the transport revolution is symbolised in pub signs, including the Locomotive, the Railway Tavern, and the Steam Packet. These inns portray advances in transport, construction, and architecture that extended out of London to the UK’s major cities and beyond.
Today, these venues are a living history lesson for visitors and the feats of engineering during the Industrial Revolution. For instance, The Engineer in Primrose Hill pays homage to the city’s innovation during the 19th century. Similarly, visitors to London will be intrigued to see a range of pubs named after common objects that were inventive, such as The Plough, the Copper Kettle, and the Old Boot.
Pubs with picturesque surroundings
While many London pubs offer a journey through history, they also provide delightful present-day experiences, particularly in their often surprising outdoor spaces. If you’re visiting London for a few hours, days, or longer, it’s tempting after a busy day sightseeing to retreat to a welcoming pub with pretty gardens and shaded louvred pergolas. Even in the heart of the city, you’ll find quiet pubs with great gardens in charming residential corners of popular neighbourhoods.
Whether you’re after a gastro-pub, the best beer garden, or incredible views over the Thames, London has it all. Once you have decided where you’re visiting, you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for a unique pub. For instance, in Hampstead, the Garden Gate is enveloped by a large, beautifully maintained garden. In addition, The Faltering Fullback has a secret garden with leafy enclaves and quirky decor, making it an institution for locals and visitors to Finsbury Park.
Cheers to sporting success
A strong cultural side to London pubs is displayed through their celebration of a rich sporting heritage. In the 18th and 19th centuries, organised sports and games were on the rise, with pub names depicting their introduction into the everyday life of working people and royalty’s passions. Many earlier Kings were avid sportsmen, which was celebrated in pub signs with names like The Greyhound, The Bird in Hand, the Fox & Hounds, and the Hare & Hounds.
The emergence of sport and drinking is represented in popular historic pub signs and names, such as The Cricketers, the Bat and Ball, and the Dog and Gun. Located in the shadow of the historic Lords Cricket Ground, The Cricketers celebrate not just the sport but also the sportsmen and their supporters who visit after the matches to toast their players’ victory.
This dual tradition of viewing sport and drinking in the pub has grown into its own sector within the pub scene, with today’s sports pubs the go-to venues for pre- and post-match celebrations. Similarly, the contemporary names of the venues give the sports theme away, with titles like the Sportsman, the Sixes, and the Flight Club for darts fans. Across the city, fun pubs open their doors to welcome supporters from various teams, countries, and sports personalities – a valuable reflection of London’s inclusive and multicultural nature.
Whether you’re a football fan, play board games, or consider yourself a rugby person, the sports scene in London is lively, with many pubs showing televised matches and creating in-house sports entertainment zones. With this in mind, the age-old custom of linking sports and camaraderie in pubs continues, and people are happy to share drinks and watch matches for lasting memories.
Discovering unique venues
Alongside a wealth of history modern establishments have sprung up, offering innovative, cool, and unique experiences thanks to their quirky decor, cool themes, and great roast dinners. Some pubs in the capital are hidden gems not only because they are unique, but because they are quite literally tucked away and harder to find without a little bit of help. They have become popular for being under the radar.
These exclusive venues are well worth searching out, such as the Book Club in Shoreditch which offers cocktails and cultural events, ranging from poetry readings to DJ nights. Likewise, the Magic Garden in Battersea is just one pub among many with amazing live music and vivacious atmosphere. There are many pubs attached to London’s music scene, while others double up as colourful comedy venues.
Mirroring the City’s Soul
London pubs are as diverse and rich in character as the city itself. From historical establishments that trace the footsteps of kings, to the hidden gems tucked away in bustling neighbourhoods, its drinking venues offer a unique lens through which to view the capital’s social evolution.
Most importantly, the London pub scene is a seamless blend of old and new. The city’s fascinating past and its modern vibrancy are all part of London’s evolving culture and multifaceted personality. London’s pubs invite both locals and visitors to be part of an ongoing story, centuries in the making and continually unfolding.
