Our guide to an easy-breezy summer in the city
The Alma, Wandsworth
This green-tiled goddess of a pub sits right across from Wandsworth Town train station, which means that if you tire of all the local loveliness, you’ll be into Central London in a jiffy.
Take Battersea Power Station, for example: a short and sweet 20-minute train ride away, and recently transformed into the ultimate city hotspot, with over 140 (yes, one hundred and forty) shops, bars, restaurants, leisure and entertainment venues. There’s a cool events calendar with year-round not-to-be-skipped things to do. Top tip: Lift 109 will take you to the top of the northwest chimney, where you’ll bask in 360-degree skyline views.
Back to The Alma, their sell-out Sunday roast is an absolute can’t-miss. Particularly, their famed Thor Hammer (we won’t name-drop but its pulled in a few A-listers), which will feed 5-6 of you.
The Station, Hither Green
This characterful corner-plot pub sits just opposite Hither Green train station (aptly named, you see) and is just a short stroll from Blackheath and Greenwich Park, and again, only 10-minutes out from Central London.
You’ll be a short train or cab ride away from Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, which is held every August and September – it’s London’s leading festival of theatre, circus, dance and street arts. It’s spectacular, thought-provoking, magical, and moving. All the events are outdoors, and most of them are free (think a theatre on the shore of the Thames, an eight-hour aerial performance on top of a melting block of ice, and much more).
Back to The Station, in-house artist Charlotte hosts an ever-so-popular Drink & Draw event on the last Wednesday or Thursday of the month – it’s loved by locals and anyone is welcome (whether you’re a novice or a natural).
Orange Tree, Richmond
A few miles out outside of London, this iconic pubs sets the scene as the starting point of Richmond High Street. Right next to West London’s famous Orange Tree Theatre (the home of independent theatre), and just a hop, skip and jump from leafy Richmond Park and Kew Gardens, with even more green gorgeousness in nearby Bushy Park.
Speaking of Bushy Park, here you’ll find Hampton Court Palace. Magnificent is an understatement when it comes to this historic royal residence, and it’s a truly fabulous day out, for adults and kiddies alike. You can tour its majestic Tudor halls, explore over 800 acres of gardens and parkland, and get lost in the 300-year-old maze (the UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze, and the most famous maze in the world, we’ll have you know). It’ll take on average, 20-minutes to reach the centre – so get on down and see if you beat that.
Back to the Orange Tree, if you’re a rugby fan, this is the place to be. Twickenham Stadium, the mighty home of England Rugby is only a walk away and worth a visit, even if not on game days. On game days, plot yourself in the pub, if not to catch all the action, then at least to bask in the electric atmosphere.
Fox & Anchor, Farringdon
This traditional and down-right beautiful historic London pub takes pride of place just on the corner of Smithfield Market (centuries-old, and the UK’s largest meat market). Top tip, if you’re after a snoop around, you’ll be in need of a really, really early rise.
Take a mooch and meander through the bustling streets of London and within 30-munites you’ll happen upon Shoreditch (a hipster hotspot in Hoxton), famed for its street art. In summer, this part of town is especially colourful and full-of-fun, with hundreds of trendy bars and restaurants, and vintage shops to get lost in.
Back to Fox & Anchor. They’re pretty famous for their gut-busting ‘City Boy’ breakfast (perfectly-paired with the obligatory pint of Guinness), so be sure to put this on your foodie wish-list.
Spread Eagle, Wandsworth
This grand and gorgeous Victorian pub (voted one of The Times best places to stay 2024) sits in the heart of Wandsworth – if a little pub/ rooms tour is on the cards, Spread Eagle is just a short stroll from The Alma – you’ll even pass Brewer’s Inn on the way too (a hattrick of pub-y wins).
You’ll be right in the heart of Wandsworth here, with heaps of to-dos just on the doorstep. And, like The Alma, you’ll be into Central London in no time. If you’re a tennis fan, this one’s definitely for you – July sees the Wimbledon Tennis Championships (the oldest tennis tournament in the world) kick off, and a 15-minute bus or cab ride will get you out to the centre of the action.
Back to Spread Eagle, their homemade pies have become the talk of the town. This, and their acclaimed award as one of the best places to stay this year. Go on, you know you want to…