At the top of our list is this quirky pub in Richmond, West London. Since the 18th century, this establishment has stood as a traditional hub within this leafy part of London. Look a little closer and you’ll see rubber barriers lining the walls – a necessary feature to keep the pub from flooding during high tide. The pub is located so close to the Thames that sipping a pint while surrounded by ducks swimming by has become a regular occurrence. A trip to this pub is never dull, that’s for sure.

Amy Winehouse and other musical royalty once frequented the Hawley Arms which has become the epitome of Camden’s rock ‘n’ roll scene. The bar staff are usually musicians, too, and the establishment often organises raucous events that appeal to their creative clientele who come to wind down after a day’s shopping at the world-renowned Camden market.

This 16th-century London pub has witnessed as much conflict as the nearby Royal Courts of Justice. A land issue once caused the premises technically to form part of Cambridgeshire until the early twentieth century, which could cause some confusion for drunken pub dwellers. Today, Ye Olde Mitre has been reclaimed by the city, serving a range of draught and craft ales amidst a bustling atmosphere.

Dubbed by the Irish Times as the most genuine Irish pub in the “world outside of Ireland”, this pub has remained a beacon of authenticity in the heart of the bustling city. While tiny in size, the pub’s larger-than-life energy bursts out into its vast beer garden. Come for the delicious Guinness, which is best enjoyed accompanied by watching one of the regularly televised GAA games.  

As legend has it, Charles Dickens once enjoyed dancing on the tables of this establishment. The Grapes is a beautiful Thameside building adorned with hanging plants and flowers, located in East London’s Limehouse. The pub draws in a varied crowd, with some guests visiting purely on the off chance they will meet Sir Ian McKellen, who owns the establishment.

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