Sometimes on a sunny day you want to drink a buzzy pint of perfectly pulled Guinness on the pavement while rubbing shoulders (and elbows) with the metropolis’s movers and shakers. Other times you want a quiet pint of IPA in a pub garden, accompanied only by an old man in a flat cap, his lazy sheepdog, and the buzzing of the bees. Both of these kinds of pubs – and everything else in between – are plentiful in Britain, and we’ve pulled together a list of our favourite pubs both close to home, and, imminently, a list of those further away that are still close to our hearts, all of which are perfect for summertime.
Deputy editor Miranda Collinge recommends:
The Woodhouse, Dulwich, South London
Though it’s technically in Zone 3, The Woodhouse in Sydenham Hill – South Dulwich, if you’re being generous – gives definite country-pub vibes, or at least Surrey pub, which sounds like a dig but isn’t (completely) meant to be. It’s got cosy nooks, friendly bar staff, an extensive restaurant menu, and more importantly space: a huge pub garden surrounded by heated chalets for when the weather is inclement – or, given they’ve each got a telly in them, for when the football’s on – and a burger shack in the summer that does the best burgers in the area (also, given it’s mostly surrounded by woodland, the only burgers in the area). Another very strong element in its favour: it’s 45 seconds walk from my house.
39 Sydenham Hill, London SE26 6RS thewoodhousedulwich.co.uk
Style director Johnny Davis recommends:
The Bull & Last, Highgate, North London
Though it’s technically in Zone 2 (sorry, Miranda!), The Bull & Last in Highgate (just inside NW5) also has the kind of getaway charm that feels more rural inn than London local. Big sash windows, soft candlelight and wood-panelled interiors set the vibe. The superior menu leans into elevated British cooking, and it’s also a functioning inn, with rooms upstairs if dinner turns into a nightcap (and maybe another). And being right on the edge of Hampstead Heath, it’s ideally placed for a post-lunch stomp – or the other way round. Another strong point in its favour: it’s the sort of place you hope someone invites you to on a Sunday, and once you’ve been, you’ll almost certainly take credit for discovering.
168 Highgate Road, London NW5 1QS, thebullandlast.co.uk
Site director Nick Pope recommends:
The Coach and Horses, Soho, London
Soho’s fabled Coach & Horses pub – by which we mean the beautiful 18th century listed building on the corner of Greek Street; the one that’s surrounded by red wooden beams and Guinness-swilling media types – always pops up in these lists. That might have something to do with its journalistic connections: the staff at Private Eye magazine had their own table by the poky toilets back in the day, where they’d trade Westminster gossip and coax secrets out of any politico silly enough to drink with them. It was once under the stewardship of “London’s rudest landlord”, and it’s very much considered one of the last enclaves of ‘Old Soho’ – along with The French House down the road, it’s always been a favourite of artists and poets and Interesting Characters, many of which have propped up the bar for decades. But the best part about it? The sprawling outside area, which takes in the breadth of Romilly Street. There are no ropes, chalk-drawn drinking pens or angry bouncers in sight. You can keep your pub garden.
29 Greek St, London W1D 5DH, coachandhorsessoho.pub
Style editor Carmen Bellot recommends:
The Lady Mildmay, North London
Sure, everyone loves a pub that’s full of history, or ones where pints are under a fiver – if it covers both, you’ve won the hospitality jackpot – but I’ve come to realise that the best pubs are the ones with a team you remember. The Lady Mildmay, aesthetically situated a few doors down from Jolene in Newington Green, has exactly that. Upon walking into its blue exterior, you can expect a smile and a quip from the friendly front of house staff every time you visit. Better yet, it’s got charming interiors, a great wine list that isn’t heavy on the wallet and a piano if you fancy a jam.
92 Mildmay Park, London N1 4PR, ladymildmay.com
David Brook
Senior writer Henry Wong recommends:
The Cow, Notting Hill, West London
I have lived through a few variations of The Cow, an old mannish boozer in West London beloved by both celebs and locals, but some things remain the same: they serve a great pint of Guinness and the best chicken Kiev in this city. I like it in the winter, as I sit by the fireplace and wonder which Beckham offspring is across the room from me, but I love it in the summer, as I clutch a cool glass of rosé and spill out onto Westbourne Park Road. Maybe it was Romeo?
89 Westbourne Park Road, London W2 5QH, thecowlondon.com
Assistant editor Joseph Furness recommends:
The Black Horse, Brentwood, Essex
Hop on the Lizzy line to Brentwood (Yes, it really does stretch that far into Essex. Cue the rushes to Rightmove), and then grab an Uber to Pilgrims Hatch for under a tenner. Waiting for you is a propa’ country pub with all the trimmings: burly beams, burlier folk – albeit Dove Summer Revived golden – and good ol’ fashioned food (pie of the day! HO-HA-HA) alongside well-poured pints. Plus, an inviting beer garden for the warmer months and a fireplace to cosy up to come Christmas. It’s the kind of homely establishment you can picture Robin Hood raising a pint in—if he traded Nottingham for Essex and favoured fresh trims over friars.
420 Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9JN, vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/east/theblackhorsebrentwood