Lady’s Itinerary for Pubs in Central London

I’m continuing my themed itinerary series today with a London itinerary for pub lovers. If you love a classic watering hole or historic gem, this will take you to some of the best pubs in central London.

Pubs in Central London

This itinerary aims to introduce you to London’s pub culture and take you on a self-guided tour of some of the city center’s most beloved boozers.

The itinerary covers 2 afternoons and evenings, but you can mix and match to tailor it to the length of time you’ll be in London. Remember to check opening hours to make sure the pubs are open when you want to visit.

If you’re interested in finding a pub you can call home-away-from-home while you do this itinerary, check out my post about pub accommodation in London. I hope you find the perfect one for you!

Pubs in Central London: Day 1 – Afternoon

Start the first day of your London itinerary for pubs in central London with lunch at the Harwood Arms in Fulham. This pub has a Michelin star and shows off London’s classic pub food at its best.

It’s a great place to try everything from Scotch eggs to treacle tart. If you’re here on a Sunday it would be sinful not to indulge in a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings.

After lunch at the Harwood Arms, it’s a short walk to The White Horse in Parson’s Green.

Known to locals as the Sloaney Pony, this legendary pub is steeped in history and frequented by the well-heeled residents of the surrounding area. If it’s a sunny day, don’t miss the beer garden out front.

Pubs in Central London: Day 1 – Evening

As evening sets in, make your way to nearby Hammersmith to have a drink at The Dove. This is one of the best riverside pubs in London, and has a small outdoor deck where you can watch the boats go by.

The Dove dates back to the 17th century and the pub was frequented by Charles II and his mistress, Nell Gwynne. It’s also been in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world’s smallest bar room.

After a drink at The Dove, make your way east to have dinner at The Churchill Arms in Kensington. This is one of the prettiest pubs in London, not least because its facade is decked out with flowers all year.

Inside, this loveliest of pubs in central London serves great Thai food among the Churchill memorabilia—Winston’s grandparents were regulars here.

Pubs in Central London: Day 2 – Afternoon

Start the second day of your London itinerary in the City of London. The Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of London’s oldest and most beloved watering holes, and is considered one of the best pubs in central London.

Rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, its warren of wood-paneled rooms with fireplaces shows why it was a favorite of writers like Charles Dickens and Mark Twain.

After lunch at the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, it’s a short walk to the Ye Olde Mitre. This pub is tucked away down a tiny alley, and it’s worth finding.

Built in 1546 for the servants of the Bishops of Ely, legend has it that the cherry tree that now supports the front was one that Queen Elizabeth danced around with Sir Christopher Hatton.

More recently, its interiors featured in the Guy Ritchie film Snatch. It’s one of the best pubs in central London for good reason.

Pubs in Central London: Day 2 – Evening

After a drink at the Ye Olde Mitre, it’s a short walk up to dinner at The Eagle in Clerkenwell. This pub is known for being the UK’s first gastropub.

Back in 1991, it started serving good food instead of the usual uninspiring pub fare and sparked a culinary revolution that most of us now take for granted. The food here continues to impress and the atmosphere is always buzzing.

After dinner, head into Mayfair for a drink at the Coach & Horses pub on Bruton Street. This is another of the best pubs in central London, not least for its characterful exterior.

Dating back to 1744, its half-timbered facade stands out among the modern buildings around it. The Coach & Horses is not only the oldest pub in Mayfair but also one of the best for good ales.

Central London Pubs

I hope you’ve enjoyed this London itinerary for pub lovers. There are a lot more pubs in central London and beyond, so if you want to dig deeper, take a look at my blog posts about the prettiest pubs in London, London pubs with beer gardens, and the best riverside pubs in London.

If you want to see more themed London itineraries, you can find them all here. I’ve also created a free self-guided pub walk that will show you some of the best watering holes in the City of London.

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