A group of us at work have started a series of pub crawls based on tube lines. We've already done the District and Central lines. I've volunteered to organise the next one, and will probably make it The Jubilee Line (unless anyone has any better suggestions). So, if anyone has recommendations for pubs and or other points of interest (as long as they don't stop us drinking for more than 10 mins) that would be greatly appreciated. If it helps, here's a few notes:
- All pubs should be within easy walking distance of a Jubilee line station.
- All pubs must serve real ale.
- We're a bunch of old fogeys, so we don't want anything trendy or modern. Similarly nothing too pricey, unless it's really special.
- Pubs with interesting histories/architecture/features etc. especially appreciated.
- We'll probably be going in February, so I don't think we'll be interested in pub gardens.
Cheers,
Stig
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SLL might have a suggestion around the Blue for Bermondsey? Closest pub is the Gregorian but that's all fizz, although not a bad pub at all. Went there before and after the game last December.
Canada Water will have to be the Wetherspoons at Surrey Docks I think.
Canary Wharf won't easily fit your criterion of "nothing too pricey" so a 10 minute walk to Wetherspoons appears likely. Or The Gun in the opposite direction, again a 10 minute walk. Pricey but a bit of character.
For North Greenwich there's The Pilot but it's a good 10 mins walk and was closed for refurbishment last time I looked. Otherwise you're into the O2 emporia, and that's no-one's idea of fun.
I can't recall any decent pubs anywhere near Canning Town and West Ham stations but it's been a while since I've been there.
Stratford has some boozers on the high street but they don't look great, although there's probably a gem in there somewhere
I think the Pilot is close enough at N Greenwich, if open. But I agree, tbe East is a challenge.
Wheatsheaf, Sheaf, George or Old Kings Head at London Bridge.
Kings Arms close enough to Waterloo? Hope so, they've really sorted out their ales.
Finchley Road - Walkabout or there's a Whetherspoons in the O2 centre
Baker Street - The Globe
St John's wood - not a lot within striking distance
http://www.stevo.force9.co.uk/jubilee.html
Vincenzo, I was wondering about The Barrowboy and Banker (but it's a while since I've been) and The Anchor (I've never been) near London Bridge. Are they no good? Seeing as you recommended four others, I guess not.
If you're planning on doing it on a weekday I'd recommend the Thornbury Castle for Baker Street. Decent boozer, friendly staff and always four or five unusual ales on - plus some hearty pub grub. (Think it's shut on the weekend though). Oh and the barmaid in there has a cracking set of Bristols that are often on display!
For something a bit quirky, I'd suggest The Rake near Borough Market
8)
The Anchor has a great location on the river but consequently gets a lot of tourists. I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
I especially endorse the George, in a courtyard off Borough High Street, just a couple of minutes from London Bridge station: it was rebuilt in 1676 and is the last remaining galleried inn in London. The room nearest the street - the Parliament Bar - is the oldest, with some woodwork that may be original: full-height panelling and simple fixed seating, an ancient fireplace and a large one-handed clock. Note also the remarkable glazed-in servery with a now-disused rare set of Victorian 'cash-register'-style handpumps.
Others on here rightly direct you to the King's Arms in Roupell Street, between Southwark and Waterloo stations. The narrow street itself is flanked with dark-brick terraced cottages - like Coronation Street! - and note the converted Victorian shops on each corner of the junction where the pub stands.
At Westminster, you could try the St Stephen's Tavern, right outside the station and opposite the Houses of Parliament, with grand late-Victorian fittings including a magnificent carved bar-back incorporating etched and gilded mirrors depicting swirly foliage and birds in flight. The pub was built in 1875 and sensitively restored by Hall & Woodhouse in 2003.
For Victorian mirrors, one of the most spectacular pubs in all of London is the Red Lion, in Duke of York Street, about five minutes' walk from Green Park station. The interior is small, but in the rear section superb etched and cut mirrors create brilliant, glittering reflections, and make the pub seem larger than it is.
For detailed descriptions and splendid photos, I recommend two books: 'London Heritage Pubs - An Inside Story' by Geoff Brandwood and Jane Jephcote, and 'Britain's Best Real Heritage Pubs' by Geoff Brandwood - both available cheaply through Amazon. Cheers!
God, I love pubs!
best Guinness in London imo was served to me in the Tipperary on that old fleet street pub crawl and I go back there whenever I can,
The St Stephen's Tavern, and The Red Lion just around the corner, were on my reserve list when I started this thread. But a couple of my colleagues and I sometimes work in Westminster, so we're already familiar with those. Without wanting to put anyone else off of posting, I think that there's more than enough pubs on the list not to go to these two now - perhaps they can be on the reserve list for when we start thinking about the Circle Line tour. Then again, we might not want to be so close to work ;-)