London’s Best Riverside Pubs

When the weather is fine, we’d contest there’s few better places to be in the world than in our great nation’s capital. And for us, we’d always opt for a leisurely drink be by the river (or, indeed, the canal). With that in mind, here’s our guide to some of the best waterside pubs in London.

Cutty Sark Tavern

Location: 4-6 Ballast Quay, SE10 9PD.
Nearest Station: Maze Hill

Greenwich is always a good place to start if you’re looking for some waterside boozing, and our favourite in the area is the Cutty Sark Tavern. Aptly named due its proximity to the famed ship, this bow-fronted Georgian masterpiece is popular with locals thanks to its great beer, good (if not a little pricey) food and stunning river views both up- and downstream. Be warned though, if the sun’s out there’s usually a scramble for the benches by the river, and the same applies to the window seats upstairs.

City Barge

Location: 27 Strand-On-The-Green, W4 3PH.
Nearest Station: Kew Bridge

This Chiswick pub might not see the crowds of some of the more central Thames-side haunts but it’s no less appealing. Offering a more tranquil setting both inside and out, City Barge is located beside a muddy but peaceful stretch of the Thames, facing the idyllic Oliver’s Island. Recently refurbished, this historic 14th century public house features great booze, a private dining option and, of course, a great riverside terrace.

Crate Brewery & Pizzeria

Location: 7, The white building, Queen’s Yard, E9 5EN.
Nearest Station: Hackney Wick

Crate Brewery may not be Thames located but it tops our list for canal-side drinking haunts as well as offering one of the best settings as far as London’s thriving microbrewery scene goes. The bar in Hackney is as east London as it gets being set in an old factory and decorated with recycled furniture and doors. But that’s as bodged as Crate gets – the beer is excellent, the setting next to the River Lee Navigation can’t be beaten on a hot day, and their on-site pizzeria provides some seriously delicious stone bakes.

The White Cross

Location: Riverside, TW9 1TH.
Nearest Station: Richmond

Whether you’re en route to or from a game at Twickenham or simply visiting the spectacular Richmond Park, The White Cross is a south-west London institution. This friendly Thames-side pub is always busy thanks to its location right next to one of the more picturesque riverside walkways in the capital and its giant front beer garden. It’s so riverside that if you time your visit right, you’ll see the tide rise up to the pub’s doors!

Prospect of Whitby

Location: 57 Wapping Wall, E1W 3SH.
Nearest Station: Wapping

The Prospect of Whitby is London’s oldest riverside pub, dating back as far as 1520. The Wapping pub still has many of its original features, including the flagstone floor and a rare pewter-topped bar as well as old barrels and ships masts which have been incredibly built into the structure. Most areas in the Prospect offer perfect views across the River Thames, including the beer garden and first floor balcony and terrace.

Blue Anchor

Location: 13 Lower Mall, W6 9DJ.
Nearest Station: Hammersmith

Hammersmith Bridge provides the backdrop to the Blue Anchor. Dating back to 1722, this west London boozer is one of the best pub’s to watch the Oxford – Cambridge Boat Race thanks to its trestle tables on the riverbank and extensive selection of wines and ales. There’s also a great food menu so we’d recommend heading upstairs to the River Room, which naturally offers a brilliant view onto the water.

The Ship

Location: 41 Jews Row, SW18 1TB.
Nearest Station: Wandsworth Town

If you’re looking for something a little more vibrant and edgier, The Ship in Wandsworth is a real favourite among London’s youth and has one of the most picturesque beer gardens in the capital thanks to its location right next to the Thames. Despite remaining young at heart with resident summer BBQs, The Ship has quite the history dating to 1786.

Trafalgar Tavern

Location: 27 Park Row, SE10 9NW.
Nearest Station: Maze Hill

Another Greenwich entry, the Trafalgar Tavern couldn’t be any closer to the River Thames’ swell, making it something of a local landmark. Daring back to 1837 and lovingly restored in 1968, the Trafalgar comes with plenty of maritime history and relics as well as plenty of separated nooks and snugs, with the side terrace being guarded by a statue of Horatio Nelson just to emphasise the naval heritage.

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