Hampstead.
The Old Bull & Bush
Street: North End Way
Operator: Premium Country Dining Group (Mitchells & Butlers)
Open:
11:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
11:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Hampstead pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Golders Green (16 min)
Northern
About the pub:
Considered by some wags the most agreeable pub in Golders Green, this is up the road from the now sadly closed Jack Straw's Castle (converted to luxury flats). Handy if you are visiting the less well-known northern extension of Hampstead Heath or the West Heath and Golders Hill Park.
Made famous by Florie Ford's music hall song, "Down at the Old Bull and Bush" where people were invited to come and make eyes at her and perhaps no doubt they did. It's an old coaching inn set back from the road with seating out front. The interior has been much modernised and we are informed by the pub's manager (Nov 2019) that that "we offer two beers regularly with both on most of the time at least one at all times".
Bus: 210, 268.
Grade II listing:- Public house. Reputedly built as a farm c1645, licensed 1721, rebuilt with modern extensions 1923-24 in similar style to the old: this included the rebuilding of the ground-floor bay windows and Venetian window originally on the ground floor.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Barnet
The Spaniards Inn
Street: Spaniards Road
Operator: Castle (Mitchells & Butlers)
Open: 10:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Hampstead pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Golders Green (26min)
Northern
About the pub:
The building dates back to about 1585, though possibly not originally a pub, it is soaked in history, housed in a charming grade II listed, white weatherboard clad exterior. The pub's interior is divided into separate rooms with areas featuring wooden beams and low ceilings, lending the place a cosy atmosphere. There is a large garden out back alongside the car park. The inn is mentioned in Dickens' 'Pickwick Papers' and Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Keats is said to have written 'Ode to a Nightingale' in the garden.
But references to the highwayman Dick Turpin being born here are false since he was born in Essex.
Good selection of imported beers and close to the Heath and Kenwood House. It can get very busy at the weekends so don't be surprised with a long queue just to get a drink on a busy, sunny, Sunday afternoon. Drinkers may be relegated to the heated garden if tables inside are booked for food.
Alcohol is served from 10am.
Bus: 210 plus the rare/elusive 603 (only 4 times a day Mon - Fri).
Grade II listing.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Barnet
Kenwood House (9min)
Kenwood House
The Hollow Tree (20min)
Great Hollow Elm of Hampstead
The Holly Bush
Street: 22 Holly Mount
Operator: Fullers
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Hampstead pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Hampstead (3min)
Northern
About the pub:
A marvellous multi-roomed pub at the top of some steep steps leading from Heath St., there is a less steep incline if you approach from the tube via Holly Mount. A sensitive refurbishment some years ago opened up the rooms at the back and there is an upstairs dining room. However, for many, the jewels of this pub are the rooms containing the main bar and that off to the left as you enter, with its traditional open fire.
There is a particularly excellent sign from former owners, the Benskins brewery. Full of atmosphere and character, we can only be thankful the rooms were not swept away by several tasteless schemes mooted in the past. On seeing them you will appreciate the Grade II listing and its place on CAMRA's London Regional Inventory of historic pub interiors.
The pub was acquired by London brewers Fuller's in early 2010 but, so far, the only change has been to the beer range. Food served in the bar rooms, the back room is laid out for diners only; the upstairs dining room only opens Fri to Sun. But there is also a seating area beyond the bar in another small room. Small seating area at front mostly for the benefit of smokers, no drinks outside after 20.00. Listed as an ACV Nov 2015 following an application by the Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum.
Grade II listing:- Public house. c1797, altered.
Built as the stables for Romney's House, Holly Bush Hill, and converted c1807 as the catering wing when Romney's House became the Assembly Rooms.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
The Hollow Tree (19min)
Great Hollow Elm of Hampstead
Parliament Hill viewpoint (23min)
wikipedia
The Flask
Street: 14 Flask Walk
Operator: Youngs
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Hampstead pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Hampstead (1min)
Northern
About the pub:
One of north London's best known pubs, rebuilt in 1874 and bought by Young's in 1904. A veritable Hampstead institution, originally the Lower Flask, which, after its acquisition by Young's, underwent a sympathetic refurbishment, albeit one that was somewhat controversial with locals.
The old public bar, with its separate entrance, darts board and TV screen, is very much as it was and, incidentally, this is the only part of the pub open from 11.00, the lounge opens at noon. As you enter the lounge, your eyes are immediately drawn to the fine tinted sepia photographs which adorn a full-height timber-and-glass screen separating this room from the public bar. This small, intimate area then leads into a larger back bar. Finally you are led into a conservatory, very much for eating.
A CAMRA London Heritage Pub listed for its historic interior. Tuesday quiz nights. Third of a pint taster paddles available and are good value. Various board games including dominoes. Children permitted until 20.00.
Grade II:- Rebuilt 1874 by Cumming and Nixon.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
Parliament Hill viewpoint (21min)
wikipedia
The Roebuck
Street: 15 Pond Street
Operator: Youngs
Open:
11:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
11:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Hampstead pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Belsize Park (7min)
Northern
Overground: Hampstead Heath (5min)
London Overground
About the pub:
Cosy pub, opposite The Royal Free Hospital, acquired by Young's in 2008, dating from 1860 as the Roebuck Hotel - which is still evident from the upper fascia. Furnished internally with wooden tables and chairs, some upholstered, and sofas, low lighting, soft music. Conservatory and garden at the back, lower room available to let.
Tables outside in front allow you to watch the comings and goings but need to be vacated by 9.45pm.
Grade II listed:- Public house & hotel.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
Parliament Hill viewpoint (14min)
wikipedia
Freud Museum (16min)
Sigmund Freud
The Stag Hampsted
Street: 67 Fleet Road
Operator: Perritt & Perritt
Open:
12:00 - 23:00 Monday-Thursday
12:00 - 00:00 Friday-Saturday
12:00 - 22:30 Sunday
Map: Hampstead pub crawl
Homepage
Underground: Belsize Park (7min)
Northern
Hampstead Heath (6min)
London Overground
About the pub:
This roomy Victorian pub (ca. 1874) was a reliable back street boozer. In 2008, new owners (two brothers who started with the Regent in Kensal Green) painted the entire vast Victorian frontage black, pared down the interior to minimalist, with wooden tables and chairs, punctuated by candlelight, and re-vamped the huge garden behind with bookable cabanas, summer BBQs and events such as acoustic music.
The pubs beery intentions are made plain by the huge backboard with beer menu on the right as you enter. 24 keg beers are on tap with many from London such as Beavertown, Five Points and Kernel. Four handpumps at the centre of the bar dispense cask beer and cider. Menu features some pub specials, gourmet burgers and different kinds of cheeses, with the downstairs devoted to food. Extensive bottled beer menu.
The same operator also runs The Mall in Notting Hill and the Beer & Burger chain. Payment by card only.
Nearby point of interest:
Blue plaques - Camden
Isoken Flats (2min)
isokon gallery
