Footprints of London Guides Top 10 Riverside Pubs

March 8, 2014 Comments Off

With the rain stopping for at least a few hours the Footprints of London team have been relaxing at their favourite riverside pub. However everyone seems to have their own favourite! Here are our Top 10

The Bulls Head Strand on the Green

1 The Bulls Head on Strand-on the Green in Chiswick nominated by Alan Fortune.

“The Bulls Head is a personal favourite. It claims that Oliver Cromwell was a regular visitor, though there are doubts about that claim. It also claims it was because his sister lived nearby when it was in fact his daughter. Whatever the case, it is great riverside boozer with excellent ales and open wooden beams .Indeed, Strand-on the Green is a great place for a summer stroll and a few bevvies in its watering holes. It has two other high quality ones nearby – The City Barge and The Bell & Crown (Fullers). Probably as good as the Bulls’ Head in their own differing ways, although my personal preference is for the Bull’s Head.”

Alan’s next walk looks at famous Soho Pubs and Restaurants and the writers who frequented them is on 5th April

The London Apprentice Isleworth. Picture Copyright Pam Fray and Licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence

2 The London Apprentice in Isleworth is Dave Brown‘s choice

“There’s a good story about it being associated with the apprentices of the London Livery Companies, they would row to Isleworth in brightly coloured barges on days of celebration. The Banker underneath Cannon Street bridge isn’t bad either, great view over the river and excellent beer”

You can catch Dave’s Literary Tour of St John’s Gate on 28th March

The Prospect of Whitby – Wapping

3 The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping is Rob Smith‘s choice

“Although it is a tourist favourite it’s still got a lot of character. My dad used to drink here in the sixties when he was in the merchant navy. The high walls of the neighbouring warehouses made the streets pitch black at night – it made the Prospect quite hard to find. A bit easier to find these days! I love the solid stone floor and the little balcony over the Thames. And any pub good enough for JMW Turner has to be good enough for anybody!”

Rob’s next walk looks at the Food History of Islington on 20th March

The Narrowboat Islington

4 The Narrowboat in Islington is the Choice of Jenni Bowley

“Well this is waterside rather than riverside, but one if my favourites is The Narrowboat on the Regents Canal in Islington. Good for a lazy lunch, canal side or on the first floor terrace which is street level”

Jenni is Walking The River Fleet again on March 23rd

The Mayflower Rotherhithe

5 The Mayflower in Rotherhithe is nominated by Jen Pedler

“Hard to choose between The Mayflower and The Angel down the road in Bermondsey, a firm favorite of Footprints guide Roberta Ardern. Both have great views and great atmosphere”

Jen has her own riverside walk The River in Chains on 22nd March

The Black Friar

6 The Black Friar at Blackfriars was the choice of Robin Rowles

“Although its not strictly on the River, it is close enough, the ideal place to end a City walk” Dave is also a fan “I love the art in the pub for the art and the story of how the building was converted into a pub from a Victorian warehouse. Great atmosphere too”

Robin will be telling the Story of Sherlock Holmes and the Red Headed League on 22nd March

7 The Swan – next to the Globe Theatre is Diane Eccles favourite

“The Swan has the most stunning views of the City skyline including one of the best shots of St Paul’s Cathedral. A place to sit back and savor the view after a guided tour
of the City or a Shakespearean themed walk. The food is excellent!”

Look out for more of Diane’s Shakespeare Walks Later in the year

The Cutty Sark Tavern Copyright canalandriversidepubs co uk and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

8 The Cutty Sark – Greenwich nominated by Neil Sinclair

“The Cutty Sark at Greenwich gets my nomination. Great riverside views from two bars and a top floor private dining area; seats outside from which you could probably fish if so inclined: good food, good atmosphere in a Georgian building and a decent selection of real ales. What more could you possibly want from a riverside pub?”

Look out for more of Neil’s walks in Southwark later in the year

Bulls Head Barnes

9 The Bulls Head – Barnes is the Choice of Chris Firmin

Over the river from the pubs of Strand on the Green, the Bulls Head at Barnes has a fantastic old fashioned ‘walk-round’ mahogany bar, has been a great jazz venue for 55 years and serves a great pint of Young’s bitter. It’s now incorporates a Thai restaurant and the jazz room has just been refurbished though I have yet to check it out.

Look out for Chris’s walk West End – and the Glamour of the 1930s – the Dance Band, Hotel and Cafe Culture soon

The Town of Ramsgate Copyright Chris Gunns and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

10 The Town of Ramsgate – Wapping Chosen by Herb Danner and Ade Clarke

“A great pub on the river, next to Wapping Old Stairs. Convivial atmosphere, great hosts,
history – Judge Jeffreys and also Execution Dock, and altogether a pleasant place to sit out on the terrace beside the river on a summer evening.” says Herb. “Very fond of The Town of Ramsgate in Wapping – my first ever local in London around 30 years ago. Judge Jeffreys was captured there dressed in women’s clothes.” adds Ade.

Well if that has made you work up a thirst remember most of our walks end near a pub, and we will be having more riverside walks in the summer.

All pictures Wikimedia unless stated.