The perfect snug country style pub in London? The Fox & Pheasant, located just off Fulham road fits the bill without a doubt! If it wasn’t down to the people supping their pints by the pub, we’d have cycled past, blissfully unaware of this most beautiful of boozers just waiting to be discovered! As we peeped inside, we were greeted with real warmth. It took us by surprise to find such a traditional country style pub in London, and definitely not a free corner sofa right by the window looking so inviting! The pub was founded in 1846 and became Fox & Pheasant around 1965. It’s owned now by none other than James Blunt and his wife Sofia, who saved it quite unbelievably from developers, and turned it into the charming pub that it is today. The interior boasts an abundance of stunning oak wood panelling, 3 impressive fire places for the colder months, a dartboard, comfy sofas and leather armchairs. There is a beautiful dinning area upstairs with exposed brick walls around the fire place, and country style wallpaper. Tucked in behind the pub, there is a modern but cosy conservatory with a retractable glass roof! Plenty of greenery, an olive tree in the middle and button backed sofas, making this relaxing outdoor dining area a special destination itself. All the food we munched through (scotch egg, rib-eye steak, stone bass, crème brûlée, chocolate cake) was simply mouth watering. The menu also includes GF options, hearty pub classics and of course Sunday roasts of which we’ll definitely be sampling on our next stop over! Be sure to pop the Fox & Pheasant on your list, and allow plenty of time to soak up the vibe. We had to be pretty much ”kicked out” after over 4 hours and left feeling merry and blown away by this absolute gem of a boozer. As James Blunt himself would say, Fox and Pheasant “you’re beautiful”! 🍺🍽 The Fox & Pheasant 📍Ldn, Chelsea 📷 @beautifulboozers

Established in 1538 as an inn called The Horn and rebuilt after the Great Fire in 1667, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese oozes with heritage and unspoiled charm. It’s unreal that the pub’s history spans through 15 monarchs! Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has been attracting famous writers and politicians for centuries, notably Dr Johnson, Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle, Voltaire, Princess Margaret and Sir Winston Churchill. Possibly the most notorious regular of all, was resident parrot, Polly. Given to the landlord by a sailor in 1895, Polly entertained Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese patrons until 1926 by imitating the popping of corks and with her extensive knowledge of expletives! According to the Hull Daily Mail, Polly said ‘Rats!’ to customers and ‘gave fictitious orders galore’. Such was his status, that Polly’s death was marked in over 200 obituaries around the world! Gone but not forgotten, his stuffed remains watch over the Chop room to this day from a glass cage. You’ll find a labyrinth of corridors and vaulted cellars in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, which were all part of a medieval, Carmelite monastery. Together with the faint light, it makes it a great hideaway for any time of the day, and as there’s no music, it’s a conversationists dream. Step inside this special beautiful boozer, settle into Dr Johnson’s corner in the Chop room, and enjoy Ye Famous steak and kidney pudding washed down by a few pints in one of the cellar bars. As you leave, don’t forget to look down at the the original step under a metal grill that apparently pre-dates the Great Fire of London itself! Last but not least, a huge thank you to the very friendly staff, especially Paola who went above and beyond to show us around, and was very enthusiastic to fill us in on the pub’s history. 🍺 Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese 📍Ldn, Blackfriars 📷 @beautifulboozers

Beautifully restored and wonderfully welcoming, The Imperial Arms is a stunning gem in historic Chislehurst, that was established in 1787 and has links to Napoleon III. We had been itching to come back to The Imperial Arms for some time and share this gorgeous beautiful boozer with you. It boasts a stunning interior, and offers one of the best Sunday roasts in London as well as great quality beers. On our recent visit we had a pleasure to meet Tina, highly energetic landlady who runs the pub with her partner Alan, with much love and passion. It turns out that Tina’s brother, the world renowned interior designer Martyn Bullard is the creative genius behind this outstanding design. The Imperial Arms was featured in Martyn’s TV programme “Million Dollar Decorations”. Martyn described in his post that “…the design is an eclectic mix of objects that reflect the association of Napoleon with the history of the buildings.” The Catherine Bar is named after the Mistress of Napoleon III who stayed there when he was exiled to Chislehurst in 1870. Plenty of Napoleonic memorabilia, stunning chandeliers and deep reds, create the majestic ambience. Carpets and graphic wall coverings enhance the cosiness and old school vibe. What we also love about The Imperial Arms is that in the bistro you get that feel of elegance garnished with history, a countryside warm vibe in the pub, and an al fresco experience in the cosy courtyard. The secluded courtyard is home to the smallest local, a tiny bird we nicknamed Robin The Curious, that resides in one of the red flower baskets (see pic 8) The Imperial Arms is a good reason itself to visit Chislehurst, and if you haven’t been to the Chislehurst Caves yet, add that little-known London wonder to your list and pair with this charming beautiful boozer for a fantastic day out! 🍺 The Imperial Arms 📍Ldn, Chislehurst 📷 @beautifulboozers

Perched on the banks of the river Thames, The Prospect of Whitby is one of the most beautiful riverside boozers, with its cosy beer garden and hidden Pelican Stairs leading to a secret beach! The feel of the past in The Prospect of Whitby is created by its rustic, dark wood panelled interior and large ceiling beams. The old photos and paintings are coupled with various pieces of nautical memorabilia. The curved bar has been crafted from pewter, and is supported by old barrels. It is remarkable that we still can enjoy a drink or two on the very same 500-year-old floor, that has been walked on by many notables including Charles Dickens, Samuel Pepys and Samuel Johnson. Apparently the beautiful flagstone floor is the only original feature remaining since it was built in 1520, which makes this public house the oldest riverside tavern! The story of the name goes back to the fact that people asking for directions to the pub were told to look for the building beside a coal ship called The Prospect from Whitby, that used to moor at the very same spot on the banks of the river. The original name was The Pelican, but it was commonly called The Devil’s Tavern due to its rough clientele; smugglers, thieves and pirates! There is a narrow alleyway behind the pub that leads to Pelican Stairs (last pic) and a hidden beach at low tide where apart from the stunning views of London, you can see a replica noose dangling around outside the pub, allegedly placed in honour of one of the regulars - ‘Hanging’ Judge Jeffreys. Get yourself to this beautiful boozer to admire the stunning pewter topped bar, soak up the historical atmosphere in its cosy interior, and be treated to a great selection of well-kept beers. All of these and more served up by super friendly and fun staff! 🍺 The Prospect of Whitby 📍Ldn, Wapping / Tower Hill 📷 @beautifulboozers

In the vibrant neighbourhood of Maida Vale, just a short walk from the Warwick Avenue station, there lies an effortlessly elegant pub that was once rescued from developers - The Hero of Maida (formerly Truscott Arms). It’s understood that the roots of the pub’s name come from Calabria in Italy, where during the battle of Maida, Sir John Stuart smashed Napoleon’s forces! The pub is beautifully lit by natural light especially in the early evening, when the light and shadow meet on the long marble bar and on the walls, which are adorned with photographs. The seating vibe is stylish with huge button backed sofas along one side. We’ve been lucky enough to dine in San Sebastian over the years, which we found to be something of a life changing gastronomic experience, and often find ourselves comparing a great meal with our time there, and if you read our posts, you’ll know we don’t drop our opinions on food very often. However, the food we experienced at The Hero of Maida is certainly worth a mention, as they clearly take their food seriously! Their menu is french inspired, using British seasonal ingredients. We went for the arancini balls for a starter, Cotswold lamb rump, and a flat iron steak for the main course. To say this was a fantastic meal would be a huge understatement, and we were both quite gobsmacked at the quality of flavours on display. There is said to be a mouth-watering steak tartare we haven’t tried, so this is going to be a great excuse to go back to this beautiful boozer when we cycle around little Venice! 🍺 The Hero of Maida 📍Ldn, Warwick Avenue 📷 @beautifulboozers

If you’re looking for a pub in the City to nurse a pint or two, try the 17th century Ye Olde Watling, built by Sir Christopher Wren himself! We finally stepped into this historical beautiful boozer recently, where we were greeted by super friendly staff; Alessia and Monica who were excellent throughout. An impressive looking pub, Ye Olde Watling was built from old ships’ timbers in 1668 by Sir Christopher Wren. It boasts a cosy, old-school vibe, black timbered ceilings, and plenty of high comfy chairs dotted close to the big windows in the bar room, giving the pub an airy feel from the moment you enter. If it wasn’t for a booking at a restaurant, we’d have plotted up there for the evening for sure! The pub is actually bigger than it looks outside, and is something of a Tardis when you enter. With its large lounge room at the back, and a Sir Christopher Wren’s dining room upstairs Ye Olde Watling really is the perfect place to hire for a party or corporate event too. Apparently, it’s always beautifully decorated at Christmas time, which is a period we particularly love, so we’ll be back to check this out over the festive period without doubt! In the meantime, get yourself down to this fantastic pub for a few summer bevy’s or watch a game or two of the Euros 2020 in this beautiful boozer! In Ye Olde Watling, you just can’t go Wren, I mean wrong! 🍺 Ye Olde Watling 📍Ldn, Mansion House / Cannon Street 📷 @beautifulboozers

Named after the historic Roman road it stands on, you’ll find the charming Ye Olde Watling just a stone’s throw from Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, St Pauls Cathedral. This historical Nicholson’s jewel dates back to 1668, when it’s said to have been re-built by Wren to provide accommodation for men working on St Paul’s. Apparently, he used the restaurant upstairs (now called the Sir Christopher Wren dining room) as a drawing office during the construction of the cathedral. We’ll be stepping inside for a good look around the interior of this beautiful boozer in our next post. 🍺 Ye Olde Watling 📍Ldn, Mansion House / Cannon Street 📷 @beautifulboozers #britishpub #publover #englishpub #traditionalpub #ukpub #boozer #boozers #instapub #publichouse #pubsofinstagram #pubinterior #cityoflondon #londonpubs #londonpub #thisislondon #pubsoflondon #pub #londoncycling #goingoutlondon #londontips #londonlocal #londonliving #londonnightlife #londondrinks #datenightideas #londonbylondoners #realpub #beautifulboozers

If you’re looking for something a little bit kooky and off the beaten track of Tower Bridge, but still close enough to walk to, you just can’t miss this family run pub we absolutely adore, The Kings Arms. Attracted by the burgundy façade, we spotted The Kings Arms when driving past on one of the lockdown evenings. When we stopped for a sneak peek and saw its quirky interior, we knew immediately that we’d be back for a much closer look when pubs re-opened. The night we arrived for a drink it was pouring with rain, but there was nothing that was going to dampen ours spirits on our long-awaited visit to the pub. There are many pubs in London, but none quite like The Kings Arms, which is just beautifully “bonkers”! You’ll find vintage decorations in there and even a small piece of giraffe, hanging from the wall – of course! Tamra, the landlady clearly knows how lighting affects mood. The pub is perfectly lit by plenty of lamps with pooky lampshades, fairy lights and candles – just wonderful. If you plan on dropping in here, be prepared for a long drinking session, as the homely and fun vibe will suck you in, make no mistake. Order yourself their epic, mouth-watering ribs, because you ain’t going anywhere for hours! You’ll be taken care of by top notch staff, and if your cocktail is prepared by manger Jade you’ll will be charged with high energy and positivity for the whole evening! The pub is buzzing with locals, so make sure you book in advance, although there are walk-in tables available. However you arrive, you’re gonna love this cool & quirky beautiful boozer, and its finger licking ribs! 🍺 The Kings Arms 📍Ldn, Tower Bridge / Bermondsey 📷 @beautifulboozers

We’ve finally stepped into the most unique and beautiful Blackfriar pub, or rather a medieval England cathedral, where the jovial friars are having the best time of their lives fishing, singing, eating and drinking! Unlike any other traditional pub in London The Blackfriar still stands to be admired for its Art Nouveau striking façade and astonishing interior designed by architect H. Fuller Clark, and decorated by one of the finest artists - Henry Pool. Sculpted into the walls or in a form of mosaic on stained glass windows, the black cloaked-friars are basically everywhere. We couldn’t stop staring at them, desperate to discover even more details, like their orc ears! The Blackfriar was built in 1875 (remodelled 30 years later) on the site of 1276 Dominican friary. The pub was due for bull dozing in the 60s but thankfully was saved by the poet Sir John Betjeman, so we can still appreciate the skilful craftsmanship of Henry Poole to this day, and wow is it worth spending some time to admire! Our favourite place to have a tipple would be the snug corner by the fireplace, so we could stare at the marble bar and bronze black friars fishing above the bar! Why not get your friends together, snap up a seat and have a pint or two, with a medieval feel, just like these lovely chaps we captured, who have known each other for 53 years! 🍺 The Blackfriar 📍Ldn, Blackfriars 📷 @beautifulboozers

It excites us to think that today is the long-awaited hospitality reopening day, and we’re sending our love to everyone in the hospitality industry! 🤎 To celebrate the return of indoor socialising, our beautiful boozer we feature today - The Warwick Arms, has kindly given us 10% DISCOUNT code BB10, to everyone who follows us, and visits the pub. Thank you The Warwick Arms! 🙌🤎 When we discovered The Warwick Arms we instantly knew that we were onto a little gem of a pub. The Warwick Arms was built around 1824 and is located 7-minute walk from Olympia on the busy Warwick Road, and yet has maintained the vibe of the ultimate local backstreet boozer. The moment we stepped inside the Warwick Arms pub we could feel its soothing and cosy space, filled with something truly special… ♥️ …the love, Michael & Maria have been giving to the pub since 1998👏 Their devotion to the pub is evident in every detail of its beautiful interior. The whole inside is a sentimental memorabilia affair. Our favourite was the old vintage iron, brought by one of the regulars who passed away. The walls and ceiling are adorned with copper, bras and ceramic artefacts, framed photos and plenty of warm lights to create the perfect cosy vibe, no matter where you choose to sit. There’s even two roaring fires to warm up your chilly cockles in winter time! Everyone who comes to the Warwick Arms is taken care of by wonderful staff. We met Natalia and Izabela, who made sure we didn’t get cold on a chilly Sat night outside, with warm blankets & exceptional service. They took our orders at the table (not via an app!) which gave us a little dose of much craved normality. Next time we’re in the Warwick Arms we’ll have a tipple in the W. B. Yeats’ nook, or we’ll settle in by the window in the red chesterfield button backed armchair, and indulge ourselves in flavours of North Indian curries (apparently the best in Kensington) created by the Nepalese Chef. A curry washed down by a pint or two of Kozel, of course - bring it on! 🍺 The Warwick Arms 📍Ldn, Kensington Olympia 📷 @beautifulboozers

To celebrate 🥳🍺 🤎 pubs reopening tomorrow, we’ll have a little added bonus for all of you @beautifulboozers followers! To find out more and where this super cosy corner is, watch out for our post on Monday! Double tap the post to show some ♥️ and wish good luck to all the pubs and bars that are reopening tomorrow. 📷 @beautifulboozers #victorianpub #englishpub #traditionalpub #pubsreopening #ukpub #boozer #boozers #instapub #publichouse #cosypub #pubsofinstagram #pubinterior #londonpubs #londonpub #pubsmatter #thisislondon #londontips #londonlocal #londonliving #hiddengem #londonnightlife #londonbylondoners #realpub #beautifulboozers

What better drinking den to marry cheese and wine in a candlelit corner, than the hidden basement of the oldest wine bar in London! Established in 1890, Gordon’s wine bar is literally a paradise for all the seekers of low ceilinged dark and cosy, cave-like wine cellars. We absolutely adore Gordon’s unique interior - full of effortless charm, it’s almost entirely illuminated by candles placed into old wine bottles, and the walls are adorned with paintings and framed clippings of old newspapers capturing historical events of days gone by. We immediately felt curious seeing this array of historical newspaper cuttings from various royal events. You’ll feel compelled to grab a glass of wine or port, and take a tour of each frame to learn more. You can see in our photos why Gordon’s is known for being the perfect spot for a romantic date. With plenty of dark and cosy corners, there’s no shortage of intimate, secluded nooks and crannies to enjoy your date night! The best time to step inside Gordon’s cave is during a weekday, as it’s less busy, and you can really soak up its candlelit vibe. There’s no need to book either, as they don’t take reservations, you just need to turn up early enough to snap yourself a comfy corner. Believe it or not Gordon’s faced the threat of the closure. The bar fought against the complete refurbishment of the building, and the sharp increase in rent in 1990. Thankfully this family run bar won the battle and is still here for us all to enjoy today – and enjoy it we did! 🍷 Gordon’s Wine Bar 📍Ldn, Embankment 📷 @beautifulboozers . . . #winetime #winelondon #londonbar #londonbars