Some Notting Hill pubs have been pulling pints longer than most of London has existed. Coaching inns from the 1600s, Victorian boozers that survived the war, places that locals have been arguing politics in for two hundred years. A pint here comes with a side of context.
Some Notting Hill pubs have been pulling pints longer than most of London has existed. Coaching inns from the 1600s, Victorian boozers that survived the war, places that locals have been arguing politics in for two hundred years. A pint here comes with a side of context.Read the noteHide the note
Some Notting Hill pubs have been pulling pints longer than most of London has existed. Coaching inns from the 1600s, Victorian boozers that survived the war, places that locals have been arguing politics in for two hundred years. A pint here comes with a side of context.
The local tip: The Thai green curry is the sleeper hit on the menu
Arguably London's most photographed pub. The exterior is draped in over 100 flower pots, 48 window boxes, and 42 hanging baskets in summer, with extravagant Christmas displays in winter. Built in 1750, frequented by Winston Churchill's grandparents. The interior is crammed with Churchill memorabilia and WWII artifacts. Serves Fuller's real ales alongside an unexpected Thai kitchen that has been operating for 35 years in the conservatory. An institution.
The local tip: Sunday roast here is a proper event. The garden is great in summer
Tom Conran's beloved Anglo-Irish gastropub, an essential destination for Guinness and oysters since 1998. The ground floor is a proper pub bar with a raw bar; upstairs is an intimate dining room serving seafood with Northern European influences. Half a dozen rock oysters with a pint of the black stuff is one of London's great simple pleasures. One of the original gastropubs that defined the genre in west London.
The local tip: Slip through the tiny dividing doors into the back snugs — the Grade II wooden screens have been there since the 1830s.
A genuinely historic pub founded in 1826, Grade II listed and on CAMRA's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. Original Victorian wood panelling, wooden floors, and private booths separated by partitions so low you duck to pass between them -- these "snugs" are wonderfully atmospheric. Open fire in winter. The massive walled beer garden out back is one of the best outdoor drinking spots in the area.
The local tip: The hidden courtyard garden behind the yellow curved frontage has a fire pit — Portobello Road's oldest pub kept its secret out back.
Thought to be the oldest pub in Notting Hill, dating from 1852 and the first watering hole on Portobello Road. The bright sunshine-yellow facade is iconic and instantly recognisable. The "Secret Garden" beer garden out back is a genuine gem with colourful tables and growing vines. Classic British pub grub. Victorian interior with elegant slender poles and a curved frontage. An institution.
What makes a great pub with a bit of history in Notting Hill?
A tag narrows the brief, but it does not do the ranking by itself. These pubs still have to work in real life: the room, the service, the food, and whether I would send someone there for this exact reason.
Top pubs with a bit of history in Notting Hill at a glance
1.The Churchill ArmsLondon's most photographed pub with secret Thai kitchen
2.The CowTom Conran's iconic Guinness and oysters gastropub
4 pubs in Notting Hill currently carry the historic tag because they hold up for this exact use. The ranking starts with places I would recommend, then uses reader agree/disagree signals to catch drift. No paid placement, no scraped star ratings, and no automatic ranking from review sites. If new details no longer match the tag, the listing is reviewed and can drop or leave the list.
Frequently asked
What's the best pub with a bit of history in Notting Hill?
The Churchill Arms is the top pick. Other strong contenders: The Cow, The Windsor Castle. The ranking reflects this exact use, not just general popularity.
How many pubs in Notting Hill fit this brief?
This list covers 4 pubs with a bit of history in Notting Hill. The complete Historic guide and the full pubs list cover places that don't fit both filters.
What if I want a different kind of place?
Check the full Historic guide at /guides/historic — it covers places with a bit of history across all categories in Notting Hill, not just pubs.
