19 Best Winter Pubs in London

Today I want to tell you about the best winter pubs in London. When the weather cools and the days get shorter, the city’s watering holes are the perfect places to be. From classic wood-paneled interiors to cozy nooks and warming fireplaces, the UK capital has no shortage of seasonal pubs. Read on for a list of my favorites. I’ve included a map and everything.

Winter Pubs in London

I’ve been seeking out the coziest pubs every winter since I moved to London. I’ve spent a lot of time with friends in local ones and central favorites over the years. It’s one of my go-to ways to beat the seasonal blues and escape the gray skies outside.

I’ve enjoyed warming Sunday roasts in the warren of rooms in my favorite pub in Hampstead (more on that later), winter evenings holed up in Holborn, and an embarrassing number of days eating comfort food in Belgravia.

Whether you’re looking for a pub with classic English drinks, traditional English dishes, or just good atmosphere, there’s a place (or five) in the city for you. Some of them even have rooms you can stay in.

1. The Holly Bush

I’ll start my list of the best winter pubs in London with my favorite. The Holly Bush in Hampstead used to be my local, and it’s still my top pick for a place to meet friends in the cooler months.

Tucked away on a curve in a narrow residential street, this 18th-century pub features a warren of wood-paneled rooms with fireplaces.

Finding it feels like unlocking a secret, and spending an afternoon or evening over food and drinks is a great way to escape the winter chill in this part of north London.

If you’re here during the Christmas season, you’ll enjoy the sight of garlands, pine cones, lights, and reindeer. There’s a special festive menu, too.

2. Ye Olde Mitre

Next on my list of the top winter pubs is Ye Olde Mitre. Hidden away in a narrow alley off Hatton Garden in Holborn, this place dates back to 1547. It’s one of my favorite watering holes in the city.

With a series of small wood-paneled rooms, this pub will whisk you off to a forgotten era. Ye Olde Mitre has featured in famous movies like Guy Ritchie’s Snatch as well.

If you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten path but still central, this is a great choice. Just keep in mind that it’s closed on Sundays.

3. Prospect of Whitby

The Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping is another of my favorites in winter. It’s not only London’s oldest riverside pub, but also one of its best.

Full of legend and lore, this 16th-century watering hole is said to have been visited by everyone from Samuel Pepys to Frank Sinatra. Above all, it has great ambiance to match its centuries of history.

If you want to sit with views of the river in the cooler months, this place is just the ticket. Its dark wood interiors are great for cozying up and escaping the winter chill.

4. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

The historic Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is another of my favorite places to hole up in winter. One of London’s last remaining 17th-century chophouses, this pub has a storied history.

The site it’s on was originally a 13th-century Carmelite monastery. A pub was built here in 1538, but it burned down in the Great Fire of 1666. It was rebuilt in 1667.

Historical 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 Tale of Two Cities.

Entry to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is via a narrow passage off Fleet Street. Once inside, you’ll find yourself 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 want to eat here, the signature dish is Ye Olde Steak & Kidney Pudding. If not, it’s still worth getting a drink and exploring the different areas as you dodge the rain or snow outside.

5. The Churchill Arms

If you’re in London at Christmastime, you can’t beat the Churchill Arms for atmosphere. The facade of this famous pub in Kensington gets a festive makeover in the run-up to December 25th.

From mid-November each year, The Churchill Arms dazzles with its forested frontage. It’s complete with rows of Christmas trees and tens of thousands of twinkling lights. The inside is packed with festive cheer, too.

If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the cold and enjoy seasonal food and drink, it’s the perfect place. Just be aware that they serve Thai food, so don’t expect traditional British fare.

6. The Mayflower

Out in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower is another of my top picks for winter pubs in London. This place is famous for being the location where the Pilgrims departed for America in 1620.

In addition to Pilgrim-related paraphernalia set over two floors, the pub features a centuries-old warren of rooms and loads of historic ambiance.

Add to that dining by candlelight, river views, and atmospheric fireplaces, and this place is the perfect spot to cozy up for Sunday roast in winter.

The Mayflower is one of my favorite pubs in London during the festive season, too. It goes all-out for Christmas, and its yuletide feast is a thing of legends. Think warming soups, filling roasts, and Christmas puddings, and you’ll get the picture.

You can even eat here on Christmas Day (and if you’re a homesick American like me, they have a Thanksgiving menu for you to enjoy).

7. The Grenadier

Next on my list of the 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 only fun to find, but it’s also steeped in military history.

The Grenadier features an intimate interior with loads of atmosphere. There are currency notes from all over the world on the ceiling, a historic bar, and lots of military memorabilia on the walls.

The cozy rooms, wood paneling, and red leather banquettes here make this place perfect for winter. Once you find it, you’ll love escaping the cold and dark as you tuck into delicious food and drink.

8. The Spaniards Inn

Right on the edge of Hampstead Heath, The Spaniards Inn is one of the most famous pubs in Hampstead.

This place dates back to the 16th century. The road narrows around it, and its multiple floors of wood-paneled rooms are said to be haunted (I haven’t seen a ghost yet, though).

The Spaniards is the perfect place to stop for lunch on one of my free self-guided Hampstead Heath walks. It’s just the spot to fill your boots after burning some winter calories.

During the festive season, the interiors are decked out with garlands, wreaths, trees, and stockings. It’s a great place soak up the seasonal atmosphere in one of the city’s most historic watering holes.

9. Trafalgar Tavern

Next on my list is the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich. A Grade II listed building, it’s worth a special trip. Built in 1837, it was named in honor of Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Uniquely, it’s also known for the fact that the water from the Thames splashes against the side of it at high tide. People come from all over to watch the pub get soaked by the waves. Its popularity makes it one of the best pubs in south London.

This place is also beloved for the memorabilia inside. In winter it gets decorated with garlands and lights for Christmas, too. Even if you’re not here during the festive season, its grand rooms are great for warming up in a convivial atmosphere.

10. The Grazing Goat

In Marylebone near Marble Arch, The Grazing Goat is another of my favorite pubs in London in winter. From food to decorations, it’s hard to beat.

Nestled in the heart of New Quebec Street, this place has a modern-meets-classic vibe. At Christmastime, its upstairs and downstairs dining rooms are decked in wreaths, lights, candles, and pine cones.

Even if you’re not here during the festive season, it’s still a cozy place to hole up in central London when the skies are dark and the weather is cold. Given its proximity to Oxford Street, it’s the perfect spot for a rest after shopping.

11. The Harwood Arms

Another great London pub in winter is The Harwood Arms in Fulham. This pub has a Michelin star, and it shows off London’s classic pub food at its best.

The Harwood Arms is an ideal place to try everything from Scotch eggs to treacle tart. If you’re here on a Sunday, it would be rude not to indulge in a traditional roast with all the trimmings.

Given it’s ripe for multi-course meals, the pub is the perfect spot for leisurely afternoons and evenings in winter. And who wouldn’t want that?

12. The Flask

Next on my list is The Flask in Highgate. Like The Holly Bush in Hampstead, this split-level pub is bursting with charm.

With atmospheric fireplaces and a series of historic dining rooms to cozy up in, The Flask is ripe for whiling away long winter evenings.

If you’re here in the run-up to Christmas, its festive menu and decorations add special cheer. The Flask is open on Christmas Day, and it’s also a popular place for parties and events in the weeks preceding December 25th.

13. Cittie of York

The historic Cittie of Yorke is another of my top picks for winter. Right on High Holborn, this Grade II-listed public house has a long history. While the current building dates to the 1920s, there’s been a pub on this site since 1430.

The interiors of the Cittie of Yorke ooze heritage, and there are multiple rooms and little alcoves to tuck into. Whichever one you choose, the wood paneling and old-world charm are sure to please.

Everyone from Charles Dickens to Dylan Thomas has written about this place. The heavy timber beams and giant wooden barrels make it a great one to spend an afternoon or evening in during the winter. It’s even on the route of my free Holborn walk.

14. Princess Louise

Also in Holborn, the Princess Louise is worth a special trip in winter. Built in 1872, this famous place has a series of stunning wood-paneled Victorian rooms to explore. It’s one of my favorite pubs in London when it comes to aesthetics.

Winter is a great time to be here because it’s an ideal place to get cozy in one of the many atmospheric nooks tucked throughout the pub.

If you’re here at Christmastime, there are festive menus to enjoy and garlands gracing the dark wood interiors.

15. The Lamb & Flag

In Covent Garden, one of my favorite winter pubs is The Lamb & Flag. This historic watering hole is known for being a favorite of Charles Dickens.

Both the downstairs bar rooms and upstairs dining room have loads of atmosphere. If you like wooden furniture and fireplaces, you’re in for a treat.

If you’re here at Christmas, even better. This place has a festive menu featuring everything from turkey with all the trimmings to beef and vegetarian dishes. They even have seasonal music and beer to enjoy.

16. Fox & Anchor

Next on my list is the Fox & Anchor. Right by Charterhouse Square, this place is one of the most atmospheric pubs I’ve been to in London. The dark wood interiors and stained glass are stunning.

Which is to say nothing of the tiny wooden alcoves in the back of the Fox & Anchor. They’re my favorite places in the city for a cozy winter meal.

With the intimate feel of a confessional and the comfort of pub food, these nooks are just the spots for luxuriating over a plate of fish and chips. If you can’t tear yourself away, there are rooms you can stay in upstairs, too. You can book one here.

17. Sherlock Holmes

Another great winter pub in London is the Sherlock Holmes. Located near Charing Cross station and Trafalgar Square, this place is not only eye-catching on the outside, but also atmospheric on the inside.

Better yet, the pub has a small Sherlock Holmes diorama museum on the top floor. It’s worth a special trip if you’re a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective.

Either way, the painted rooms, lively bar area, and Sherlock memorabilia on the walls are sure to keep you entertained on a long winter’s night.

18. The Anchor Bankside

Conveniently located by Shakespeare’s Globe and London Bridge, The Anchor pub in Bankside not only has a great facade with lots of bright red accents, but also a prime location on the Thames.

The Anchor is the perfect place for a pint after a day of sightseeing or a winter walk along the South Bank. Its multiple floors of historic rooms are ripe for exploration.

It’s great at Christmas, too. Given its location between the South Bank Winter Market, Borough Market, and Winter by the River, it’s the perfect spot to rest your legs after a stint of eating, shopping, and soaking up the seasonal highlights.

19. The Roebuck

On Great Dover Street in Borough, The Roebuck is another of the best winter pubs in London. That’s not least because it’s housed in one of the most eye-catching buildings in the UK capital. There’s even a smiley face at the top that’s perfect for chasing the winter blues away.

Dating back to the 19th century, this Grade II-listed pub near London Bridge is one of my favorite places to photograph in the city. Beyond a stunning exterior, The Roebuck features an airy ground floor and a laid-back upstairs lounge.

An independent pub, it offers beers and ales from around the world. It also has a menu featuring dishes made with local produce. It’s the perfect place to hole up on a winter afternoon or evening and indulge in comforting food and drink.

London Pub Walk & Itinerary

If you want to see more cozy and atmospheric pubs this winter, you can go on my free self-guided pub walk. It will take you around the City of London and show you some of the best watering holes in the area as you go. Some of them are said to be haunted!

Additionally, I’ve created a pub itinerary if you have longer to spend. From The Harwood Arms to The Churchill Arms, it will show you a number of pubs on this list.

Map

Best Winter Pubs in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at my favorite winter pubs in London. The city is a great place to eat and drink in the cooler months, and I’m sure you’ll love these watering holes as much as I do when you visit.

If you want to see more, I’ve written about a lot of other pubs in London. You can take a look at my top picks for inspiration.

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