8 Beautiful London Pubs to Photograph: From Hidden Alleys to Floral Facades

London has no shortage of historic pubs, but some are especially difficult to walk past without reaching for your camera. From flower-covered Victorian buildings and black-and-white timbered facades to tiny pubs tucked down narrow alleyways, these eight have something wonderful to photograph before you’ve even ordered a pint.

And the surprises don’t stop at the front door. Some have spectacular decorative interiors, others have unusual architectural details, and one is actually split between two buildings on opposite sides of a passageway.

Whether you’re exploring London with a camera, collecting photographs of historic pubs or simply looking for somewhere beautiful to stop for a drink, these eight are worth seeking out.

The Churchill Arms — Kensington’s Famous Flower-Covered Pub

Few London pubs make quite the photographic impression of The Churchill Arms in Kensington. During the warmer months, its exterior disappears beneath an extravagant display of hanging baskets and colorful flowers, turning an ordinary street corner into one of London’s most recognizable pub facades. At Christmas, the flowers give way to Christmas trees and thousands of twinkling lights, making it worth photographing in more than one season.

And there’s plenty to see inside. The ceilings are crowded with hanging copper pots, old memorabilia and an assortment of decorations celebrating Winston Churchill. Tucked toward the back is a Thai restaurant surrounded by greenery, an unexpected surprise behind that famous floral exterior. Whether you stop for a photograph or stay for a pint, The Churchill Arms is a wonderfully eccentric London landmark.

Read more: Inside The Churchill Arms in Kensington: Is This Flower-Covered Pub Worth Visiting?

The Cross Keys — Covent Garden’s Flower-Covered Victorian Pub

Tucked along Endell Street in Covent Garden, The Cross Keys is a wonderfully photogenic Victorian pub with a flower-covered frontage, traditional hanging sign and beautifully detailed brickwork. Unlike the extravagant floral displays of The Churchill Arms, this little pub has a more intimate charm, with hanging baskets and greenery framing its historic entrance. It’s the sort of place you might stumble upon while exploring Covent Garden and immediately stop to photograph.

Inside, the narrow bar is packed with dark wood, brass and copper decorations, framed pictures and an eccentric assortment of memorabilia. Look for the old diving helmet, a bust of John Lennon and a framed napkin associated with Elvis Presley. Seating is limited, and you’ll often find drinkers gathered outside, adding to the lively neighborhood atmosphere.

Address: 31 Endell Street, London WC2H 9BA

Nearest Station: Covent Garden or Holborn

Website: The Cross Keys

Read more: The Cross Keys Covent Garden: Inside the Flower-Covered Victorian Pub

The George on the Strand — A Mock-Tudor Pub with Curious Carvings

Standing among the busy buildings of the Strand, The George is a wonderfully photogenic London pub with a striking black-and-white mock-Tudor facade. Its timber-framed gables, leaded windows and ornate gold-painted details give it the appearance of a much older building, although the pub was rebuilt in 1898. It’s an easy place to stop for a photograph while exploring the area around the Royal Courts of Justice.

But take a closer look at the decorative carvings. Among the unusual figures are monks, frogs and even a naked man chasing pigs—a rather unexpected collection of characters decorating an otherwise traditional-looking pub. Inside, you’ll find a classic London bar with dark wood and historic pictures, along with an upstairs dining room serving traditional British pub favorites.

Read more: The George on the Strand: Is This Mock-Tudor London Pub Worth a Visit?

The Albert — A Victorian Survivor in Modern Westminster

Surrounded by modern office buildings on Victoria Street, The Albert is a striking reminder of Victorian London. Its ornate red-and-yellow brickwork, tall Victorian windows and flower-filled wrought-iron balconies stand out beautifully against the surrounding architecture. Built in the 1860s, this Grade II listed pub is a striking reminder of what Westminster looked like before much of the neighborhood was redeveloped.

Inside, The Albert has a traditional London pub atmosphere with dark wood, historic photographs and a few surprising connections to the Houses of Parliament. Look for the portraits of former British Prime Ministers along the staircase and the parliamentary division bell, once used to alert MPs when a vote was called. There’s a ground-floor bar for a casual pint and an upstairs dining room serving traditional British pub favorites.

Read more: The Albert Pub in Westminster: Is This Victorian London Pub Worth Visiting?

The Grenadier — A Hidden Belgravia Pub with a Red Sentry Box

Tucked away along a quiet cobblestone mews in Belgravia, The Grenadier is one of London’s most charming little pubs to photograph. Its white-painted brick exterior, deep blue doors, hanging flower baskets and bright red military sentry box make it look like something from another era. Finding this secluded corner of London is part of the appeal, especially when you realize how close it is to the busy streets around Hyde Park Corner.

Inside, the small wood-panelled rooms are filled with military memorabilia, historic pictures and an unusual collection of banknotes covering the ceiling. According to local legend, visitors leave the notes to help settle the gambling debt of Cedric, a soldier whose ghost is said to haunt the pub. Whether you’re interested in the ghost story or simply the picturesque setting, The Grenadier is a memorable little discovery.

Read more: Inside The Grenadier: Is This Hidden London Pub Worth Finding?

Ye Olde Mitre — A Hidden Pub Down a Narrow London Alley

Hidden down a narrow passageway off Hatton Garden, Ye Olde Mitre is one of those London pubs you could easily walk past without realizing it was there. The approach is part of its photographic charm, with old brickwork, a traditional hanging sign and a tiny courtyard tucked between the surrounding buildings. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric little corner of London, far removed from the busy streets just a few steps away.

Inside, you’ll find low ceilings, dark wood panelling and small traditional drinking rooms that make the pub feel like a step back in time. Its history stretches back to the 16th century, with a famous connection to Queen Elizabeth I and a cherry tree said to have been used for dancing around. The present building is later, but the old-fashioned surroundings and hidden location make Ye Olde Mitre a particularly memorable pub to seek out.

Read more: Ye Olde Mitre: Is This Hidden London Pub Actually Worth Finding?

The Ship & Shovell — London’s Pub Split Across Two Buildings

Just off the Strand near Charing Cross Station, The Ship & Shovell offers one of London’s more unusual pub photographs. Instead of occupying a single building, this Victorian pub is divided into two separate halves facing each other across a narrow passageway. Each has its own entrance, traditional pub frontage and hanging signs, creating a wonderfully distinctive scene that’s easy to miss from the busy streets nearby.

The two halves are connected by a cellar passage beneath the alley, but visitors enter each side separately. Inside, you’ll find traditional wood-panelled bars, old-fashioned pub furnishings and a cozy atmosphere. It’s the unusual arrangement of the buildings that makes The Ship & Shovell worth seeking out with a camera—and a particularly entertaining place to stop for a pint.

Read more: The Ship & Shovell London: Inside the Pub That’s Split in Half

The Black Friar — London’s Extraordinary Art Nouveau Pub

Standing on a narrow wedge-shaped corner near Blackfriars Station, The Black Friar is one of London’s most unusual historic pubs to photograph. Its triangular shape, distinctive stonework and enormous carved friar above the entrance make it an eye-catching landmark, but the real photographic surprise is waiting inside.

Step through the doors and you’ll find an extraordinary Art Nouveau interior filled with shimmering mosaics, marble, bronze reliefs and mischievous monks. Look for the cheeky friars decorating the walls and ceilings, along with their amusing mottoes and elaborate carvings. Toward the back, the small barrel-vaulted Grotto is especially remarkable, with its mosaic ceiling, marble ribs and richly decorated surfaces.

Read more: The Black Friar Pub: Inside London’s Art Nouveau Masterpiece