One of the best things about being in London during the festive season is sitting back in a cosy pub, surrounded by the smell of mulled wine and the sound of a fire crackling. All across the capital, traditional English pubs will be sprucing up for Christmas, serving up delicious Christmas roasts and decking out the bar with festive decor and wintry tipples. Enjoying a famous local craft beer in front of the fire will never be as satisfying as it is during , so here are the best pubs in London for Christmas this season.
THE CHURCHILL ARMS, KENSINGTON
Boasting one of the most eye catching pub exteriors in London, Kensington’s Churchill Arms is the ideal spot for a festive refuel. It's decorated head to toe for December in a load of cute little Christmas trees and fairy lights! Don’t expect the inside to be any less exciting because as soon as you step inside, you’ll be met with even more eccentric decoration that resembles an indoor garden. Old school British trinkets hang from every spare space on the ceiling, and as your walk towards the back, the Thai restaurant has green plants taking over above head, creating a secret garden feel that’s just stunning, especially in winter. At Christmas time, sit by the open fire with a cask lager or seasonal ale and while away the time in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere having casual drinks with your friends. This just might be the prettiest pub you’ll ever see.
THE HOLLY BUSH, HAMPSTEAD
Where better to get your festive feels than at a cosy pub called The Holly Bush in London? This Hampstead local is the most popular for good reason, and when the year heads towards Christmas, it’s fantastic Christmas lunch and dinner menus make it even better. The old English decor with wooden floorboards, round tables and an open fireplace create the cosy pub atmosphere that every Brit loves, especially at Christmas. There’s a decent selection of cask ales, lagers, spirits and ciders at the traditional bar plus a more formal restaurant serving up gastropub-style food, comforting and delicious. Get your festive feels sipping on a Christmas cocktail in front of the fire, nothing is more blissful than that.
ST CHRISTOPHER’S INN PUB, LONDON BRIDGE
For a real local pub experience, head to the St Christopher’s Inn Pub in London Bridge during Christmas festivities. This modern gastropub on Borough High Street is the perfect place for a Christmas meal with friends offering a delicious traditional festive menu plus the fun festive atmosphere to match - you can also get mulled wine, the ultimate winter warmer. Think roast turkey with all of the trimmings (including pigs in blankets, delicious stuffing and hot roasties), as well as the mouthwatering English Christmas dessert that is Christmas Pudding. This a pub where locals go, so you know it’s a good one. You can get a 3 course Christmas meal here for £29.95 per person. Not bad at all and pretty affordable compared to some of the other places around the city. Book your Christmas party asap before tables go!
THE HERCULES PILLARS, HOLBORN
After a day of seeing London’s sights and getting in the Christmas spirit, finish off your day in the heart of the city at a cosy, traditional English pub. The Hercules Pillars in Holborn will be putting on a festive treat with proper British 3 course Christmas meals including turkey and all the trimmings and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Sit back and relax in the old wooden furnishing with a good craft beer and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re more of a gin fiend than a beer lover, the list of different gins, tonics and fancy garnishes is a thing of dreams.
THE FLYING HORSE, LIVERPOOL STREET
There’s nothing cosier than an old British pub that still stays true to its roots - and that’s exactly what the The Flying Horse in Liverpool Street does. The traditional interior is the perfect place to find warmth in the days leading up to Christmas with a real cosy atmosphere and delicious pub classics on the menu such as heartwarming sausages and mash or steak and ale pie. Right in the heart of the city, this pub is a local for bankers and city workers. There will be a Christmas buffet menu available for those planning a party including tasty festive nibbles such as pigs in blankets, vegetable spring rolls, turkey tenders and more!
THE KING'S ARMS, WANDSWORTH
Known and loved amongst young Wandsworth locals for having a great atmosphere and a stunning beer garden, The King's Arms is a great West London spot for a drink during the festive season. Whether it’s rain or shine, the beer garden round the back will be open with cosy huts to keep you from the elements, heaters and fairy lights that give the place a warming winter’s glow. Otherwise you can sit inside, order a full roast Christmas turkey or crispy cider braised pork and play board games with a mulled wine while you wait for your feast to arrive in front of the fire. The King's Arms is definitely worth the stop and one of the best pubs in London for the festive season.
THE ANDOVER ARMS, HAMMERSMITH
This is the best pub in Hammersmith and it is always buzzing around the festive season. Locals love this little hidden gem which serves up one of the best affordable Sunday Roasts in London. Book a table near the cosy fireplace inside and enjoy the amazing food on offer. The Christmas menu this year looks mouth-wateringly good - we love the sound of the hot cauliflower soup to start, as well as the miso glazed pork belly starter. For the mains you can expect a proper Christmas dinner with the option to choose between turkey or pork (with all the trimmings) as well as yummy vegetarian options. A friendly pub with a sophisticated edge!
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