THE CHURCHILL ARMS · AT A GLANCE
Location:📍119 Kensington Church Street, London W8 7LN
Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle & District lines)
Best For: Curious wanderers, historic-pub lovers, and travelers seeking out London’s most photogenic pubs
Pub Owner: Fuller, Smith & Turner (Fuller’s)
Drink Pick: Fuller’s London Pride
Why the Churchill Arms Is Worth Seeking Out
⭐ Traveler’s Pick: The Churchill Arms is one of London’s most extravagantly decorated pubs, famous for its spectacular exterior flower displays and an over-the-top collection of Churchill memorabilia.
What to Look For
Are All Those Flowers Real?
Before you head inside, step back far enough to take in the whole corner. And yes—the flowers are real. At the height of the display, nearly 200 individual flower-filled tubs, hanging baskets and window boxes cover the building.
If you arrive in the warmer months, expect to see the extraordinary cascade of flowers that has become the Churchill Arms’ defining feature and earned the pub multiple gardening awards.
If you arrive around the holidays, the flowers give way to an even more extravagant display. Up to 100 real evergreen trees are attached directly to the outside of the building, with more than 20,000 twinkling lights illuminating the trees.
How and When Can I Get the Best Photo?
For a photo of the flowers without a lot of people in it, come before the pub opens. Early morning gives you the best chance of photographing the flower-covered exterior before the crowds arrive. To get the whole pub in the frame, you’ll want to stand across the street. Kensington Church Street is busy, so you may need to wait for a break in traffic before you get your shot.
What’s Up With All Those Pots Inside?
When you step inside, you can’t help but notice the unusual collection hanging overhead. The ceiling is packed with copper pots and other old household objects. And no, they’re not being used by the kitchen—they’re just part of what makes the Churchill Arms so wonderfully eccentric.
Why Does This Feel Like a Churchill Museum?
After you finish marvelling at the copper pots overhead, you’ll begin to notice the remarkable collection of Churchill memorabilia surrounding you. Photographs, portraits and other reminders of Britain’s famous wartime prime minister cover the wood-panelled walls.
But the surprising answer to the questions all that memorabilia raises is no—Churchill didn’t own the pub, and it wasn’t his drinking haunt. The pub was named The Churchill Arms after World War II and, according to the pub, Churchill’s grandparents had been regular visitors here during the 1800s.
Yes, That Really Is a Thai Kitchen
Keep heading toward the back of the pub and the surroundings take another unexpected turn. Behind all the Churchill memorabilia and classic pub interiors is a Thai kitchen serving regional dishes in a plant-filled, butterfly-themed conservatory. The Churchill Arms has been serving Thai food instead of traditional British pub fare since 1988 and is believed to have opened one of England’s first Thai pub kitchens.
How to Order a Drink at the Churchill Arms
Where to Go: If you’re just here for a drink, head to the main U-shaped bar and order at the counter.
What to Order: Try Fuller’s London Pride on cask. If it isn’t pouring that day, ask the bartender which cask ale they’d recommend.
How to Order: Ask for a pint or half-pint and pay at the bar. Take your drink to your chosen spot.
Tipping: Do I Need to Tip When I Order a Drink at the Bar?
No. Tipping isn’t customary when ordering drinks at the bar in a London pub. You don’t need to add a percentage, leave money on the counter, or leave cash on your table when you go. If the card machine prompts you for a tip, you can skip it.
Also Looking to Order Food?
The Churchill Arms serves Thai food rather than traditional British pub fare. If a meal is part of your plan, booking ahead is sensible, particularly at busy times.
Know Before You Go
Check the Hours Before You Go:
Check the Churchill Arms’ official website for current opening and kitchen hours, particularly if a meal is part of your plan.
Walk-Ins Welcome:
You can stop in for a look or a drink without booking a table. The pub is relatively small and can get very busy, so finding a seat may be difficult at peak times.
Bringing the Family?
The Churchill Arms welcomes families, including children.
Keep Exploring London’s Most Photogenic Pubs
If the Churchill Arms has you looking for London pubs that are worth seeking out for the visuals alone, keep going with two very different places that are every bit as interesting to look at.
The Cross Keys
Head to Covent Garden for another wonderfully over-the-top London pub, where the exterior is packed with flowers, signs and assorted curiosities competing for your attention.
The Black Friar
For something completely different, seek out one of London’s most extraordinary pub interiors, filled with Art Nouveau mosaics, marble, bronze reliefs and mischievous monks.