In the heart of Hampstead, The Holly Bush gastropub invites patrons to indulge in a diverse menu that ranges from classic British pub fare to innovative global dishes. Believed to occupy the former stables of artist George Romney's house, this Grade II listed pub exudes charm with its 18th century wood panelling, cask ales, and cosy fireplaces. 

The Wrestlers on North Hill is one of Highgate’s most atmospheric pubs — a timber-beamed classic that wears its centuries of history with ease. Inside, low ceilings, open fires and polished wood create a warmth that feels instantly familiar. Locals and walkers gather over cask ales and generous plates, while outside, the village hum fades to a gentle murmur.  

Perched beside the Thames at Hammersmith, The Dove is a riverside gem with a history as rich as its views. Within its whitewashed walls lies one of London’s most intimate bars — a snug wooden nook said to be the smallest in the city. Writers, poets and rowers have long sought its warmth, drawn by the crackle of the fire and the sight of the river glinting beyond the windows.  

Set on a leafy corner of Wimbledon Common, The Crooked Billet feels delightfully rural despite its London address. Its low-beamed ceilings, roaring fires and traditional bar lend the sense of a country inn, while summer spills happily onto the green outside, where tables fill with locals and walkers. Inside, the welcome is as warm as the fare — well-kept ales, comforting dishes and Sunday roasts that stretch the afternoon.  

Standing proudly beside the marina at St Katharine Docks, The Dickens Inn is a rare survivor of old London, its timbered galleries and flower-filled balconies offering a striking contrast to the sleek yachts below. Once a 18th-century warehouse, it now hums with laughter and the clink of glasses as visitors settle in for classic pub fare and sweeping dockside views. 

Step through the narrow doorway on Fleet Street and you enter another age. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, remains a warren of oak-panelled rooms, dimly lit by gaslight and alive with centuries of conversation. Johnson, Dickens and Twain once drank here, and the air still carries their echoes. Down in the vaulted cellars, ale flows from casks and footsteps creak on ancient floors. 

Overlooking a quiet bend of the Thames in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower is a pub with a story as deep as the river beside it. From its creaking wooden decks, pilgrims once set sail for the New World, and that sense of adventure lingers still. Inside, candles flicker against low beams and nautical relics, while outside, the terrace offers views across the tide to Wapping’s distant lights.