We found Travelodge Farringdon being close to Kings Cross, and is the cheapest out of the central Travelodges. You can also choose Kings Cross Central itself, or Kings Cross Royal Scot - all much of a muchness. If you do choose a Travelodge - we would suggest walking from Kings Cross, left out of the station - follow the road past McDonald's, then bare right down Kings Cross Road (A201, right of Honest Burger) then follow the road. The King's Cross Royal Scot is on the left, closely followed by Farringdon TL around 5 minutes further down.
This weekend was originally planned and a route created to make the most of the time we had. However, when we looked at the pubs we could visit, we originally thought we would take in one beer in each. Thing is, depending on the day, weather, company or other erroneous reasons - you can sink a pint in no time! Hence, we may have had more than one in more than one, so getting around 8 pubs with travel in between can pose certain challenges. Combine that with the fact that the more you drink the worse you get at managing your time (ask any bloke that has arrived home after 12am, when they said they would be home for 11!) Ultimately, we did do 8 pubs, but we drank way more than 8 pints - and we are sure we lost count (fingers up at each establishment) along the way. There may be one or two missing the official pic, but we can assure you all that we did complete the 'gallon', quite easily and in good time, but we missed a couple of pubs towards the end - but these fine establishments will be mentioned in dispatches.
The Gallon Crew
The day didn't get off to the start we were hoping for. The Hat & Tun, which was meant to open at 12 midday, was in fact still closed at 12:10 when we arrived! Do we go home? Not on your nelly! We hopped over the road to another little boozer which sadly had an open fire, but only Christmas lights as mock flames. However, everything about the ale was perfect!
Steeped in history, The Crown Tavern is one of Farringdon’s – and indeed London’s – most established watering holes.
Take a seat in the bar and you could be sitting on the spot where Lenin and Stalin held a meeting in 1905, or you may recognise the distinctive ‘golden’ Apollo Lounge, where scenes from the British film ‘Notes on a Scandal’ featuring Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett were filmed. Just outside, Clerkenwell Green was the setting for Oliver Twist’s famous pick-pocketing incident…
Mixing traditional wood paneling, etched glass and period features with contemporary touches,
The Crown Tavern also boasts two private function rooms for hire and an inviting outdoor front terrace – perfect for lazy afternoons, al-fresco dining or a glass of something special on a sunny day.
Perched on the corner of Clerkenwell Green in London’s historic Farringdon area, within easy reach of the rest of the capital by bus and tube, The Crown Tavern attracts a diverse clientele and reflects the upbeat vibe of its Old Street neighbourhood whilst holding the authenticity of a true British local close to its heart.
The Wenlock Arms. Cracking little corner pub. Fire was on - so we were away with the theme of the day. Lots of choice and varied mixture of ales. Dart board to one corner with a rickety old piano sat against the wall.
Have to say - the toilet (men's) left a lot to be desired. Although there were 2 stalls, you'd have to be good friends to share the space!
Anyhow, we don't go to the pub to seek a good toilet do we? Maybe we should have a 'Nice Toilet Solstice Gallon', now there's a thought.
This is a traditional 19th Century Ale House serving a constantly changing range of the finest cask ales, keg beers and real ciders from around the British Isles.
On an unremarkable backstreet in the Hackney/Islington borders is an old pub with a story.
An all-too-familiar story in the world of the urban boozer: developers submit planning application to demolish and replace with residential units. Most of the time this tale has the same ending, and it’s not a happy one for drinkers. The Wenlock was a tap for the nearby brewery of the same name, and poured its first pint in 1836; it closed with its parent company in the 1960s, then reopened in 1994, whereupon it won awards for the quality of its real ale and plaudits for the toastiness of its real fire.
Nestled in the quiet back streets North of Kentish Town, The Pineapple has been woven into the fabric of the community since it was built in 1868.
A characterful and bustling free-house which serves ever-changing and carefully selected craft ales from its Grade II listed bar. This hidden gem, beloved by locals and visitors alike, boasts a scrumptious Thai kitchen, 60 person capacity upstairs function room and a sun-kissed conservatory and garden at the rear.
Lovely pub this one, and again the fire was in full vigor. It was difficult to find a seat which was encouraging for the place, but not surprising for a Saturday afternoon.
Lady Mildmay was really quite busy when we arrived. Ended up going into the back room area. One of the party (who will remain nameless) knocked over a guys red wine. He was all apologetic and it was dealt with very amicably - I think the chap will need a new hoodie though (It was grey!)
A large corner bar facing onto Newington Green, refurbished in November 2011 and in 2012 management changed to Inn Brighton. In 2015, ownership moved to the same company as run the Tufnell Park Tavern, N7 and, after another brief closure, underwent another internal redecoration bringing back the pubs original features and another ownership change. Cosy fireplaces, sofas to lounge on and large windows to watch the world go by
On a warm day the Lady’s many side doors are left wide open, and when it’s woolly jumper weather there’s a real fire to curl up next to. This commitment to comfort is typical of the pub’s approach. Staff are subtly eager to please, talking you through any toss-ups between the house gin of the day or that craft lager you’ve not tried before. The Med-leaning gastropubby menu is exotic enough to make you feel they know what they’re doing but not so exotic that your gran would be forced to ask for ‘just chips’.
A Hackney institution beloved by generations of old and new residents alike, The Prince George is a traditional Victorian pub situated on a leafy residential corner. Remarkable Pubs have carefully designed a traditional while also crafty beer, wine and spirits offer alongside Harry Webb-Jeffries in the kitchen serving up a delicious menu.
Add to this a working fire in winter, a street facing beer garden in summer and a jukebox for showing off your extensive knowledge of lesser known music and you have a rather impressive option for a Saturday afternoon hang out.
As the pub’s popularity has risen, so have the prices; you can drink for less in Mayfair. Still, catch it on a quieter night, and this remains a great pub, a mixed coterie of longtime Dalstonians and recent arrivals shooting the breeze over pints (Pride, Seafarer, George Gale HSB) and a jukebox-led soundtrack of classic cuts and hipster-friendly obscurities.
The Mayflower pub is a hidden gem in the heart of Rotherhithe, London.
A traditional English pub surrounded by cobbled streets, the outside decked jetty and cosy candlelit restaurant have stunning river views. You can spot the original 1620 mooring point of the Pilgrim Father’s Mayflower ship, warm yourself by the open fire and imagine who may have been sitting in your seat 400 years ago!
The food menu offers delicious, classic British dishes using local and fresh ingredients and is complemented by a great range of well-kept traditional ales, craft beers, local gins and fine wines.
The boys really enjoyed this one, and we had food here. Very good it was too - especially the ribs. We also met a lovely couple who we had a great natter with. They had some stories too - the guy was partially deaf so his wife had to repeat everything we said - but he was happy enough.
In July 1620, the Mayflower ship took on board 65 passengers from its London homeport of Rotherhithe on the River Thames. Rumour has it that Captain Christopher Jones cunningly moored here to avoid paying taxes further down the river. The Mayflower journeyed onwards to Southampton for supplies and to rendezvous with the Speedwell but after many delays, false starts and a devastating leak, the Speedwell’s journey with The Mayflower was abandoned. On 6th September, 1620, Captain Jones, along with 102 passengers and approximately 30 crew members, set sail from Plymouth on what William Bradford described as "a prosperous wind”.
The Cadogan Arms is a much-loved Chelsea institution, restored to its former glory with a renovation that pays homage to the public house’s two centuries spent serving the local community. Comprising a bustling ground floor bar, an opulent dining room, and downstairs space ‘The Rose Room’, the location is headed up by Managing Director Dom Jacobs, with food by Culinary Director James Knappett and Executive Chef Alex Harper.
The menu at The Cadogan Arms focuses on simply prepared British produce, celebrating the provenance of locally sourced fish, meat, and fresh vegetables, as well as sharing roasts on Sunday. Drinks range from cocktails to a carefully curated wine list, and a comprehensive beer list which includes a bespoke British Pilsner from Cornwall’s Harbour Brewing, specially commissioned for The Cadogan Arms.
There’s been a pub of this name here since 1838 and it has now been restored to its Victorian glory. Drinkers mingle with diners creating a real neighbourhood feel. The menu focuses on pubby favourites with a few retro classics thrown in and cooking is unfussy and eminently satisfying.
Sitting next to the fire, or out on The Dove's riverside terrace, you are not just sitting in any old local – you are a part of London’s rich history.
A public house has stood on this site since the seventeenth century. Throughout these years our sturdy bar has propped up some of the finest figures of English history. The poet James Thomson composed the familiar strains of ‘Rule Britannia’ here. Charles II romanced and dined his mistress Nell Gwynne here. And in the famous novel ‘The Water Gypsies’, author A P Herbert features it under a cheeky pseudonym; ‘The Pigeons’.
Much of the history of The Dove lies shrouded in mystery, but sitting here it’s not hard to imagine the bawdy behavior of Regency writers, or the delicate conversations of the pre-Raphaelites, all going on under this roof.
In more recent years the pub has played host to some of the finest actors, writers and politicians in London. If you have a moment to spare in between beverages, have a look at the framed list of patrons that hangs over the lower bar’s fireplace. It reads like a Who’s Who guide of the last few decades.
It’s not just the clientele, but the building itself that has some amazing claims to fame. The small space to the right of the bar, reached through an extra entrance only the eagle-eyed will spot, went into the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest bar room in the world. Step inside it and you’ll see the brass plaque that marks the height the waters reached in the great flood of 1928.
But The Dove isn’t a monument to history – it’s a thriving and much-loved London pub catering for locals and visitors alike. Owned by Fullers since 1796, our current regulars come back for exactly the same reason as Charles II did – the outstanding real ales, fine wines and delicious food.
Route takes you from Travelodge Farringdon, and back - with pubs from The Crown Tavern, in Clerkenwell Green, to The Dove in Hammersmith.
This takes in the first 6 pubs of the day. From The Hat & Tun in Farringdon, to The Prince George in Dalston.
Part 2 (if you've not had enough yet) is from The Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe to The Old Coffee House in Soho.
We put together a little guide to help you with your connections. Be it walking (OK early on in the day) to Uber and Tube. Do check these for yourself as we wouldn't want you wasting valuable social time standing around waiting for delayed trains or closed lines!
UPDATE!
We would strongly encourage use of UBER taxi's. Yes, it is expensive, amounting to £188 in total (around £50 each, depending on the numbers) but it got you where you needed to be, when. That said, if there are only 2 of you then the Tube may well work out better value but you are walking a fair bit too with that option. Also, make sure you get the correct place - there's a lot of venues with the same name in the capital as we found out when booking to the Mayflower. We somehow ended up on Borough High Street instead of Rotherhithe??
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