Best Christmas Pubs In London

• Why we recommend: this really is the place everyone thinks of when they hear the words 'Christmas pub'. The lights are truly spectacular, and the interior is just as appealing - the festive period isn't complete without a visit here
• Location: 119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN

Out-Christmasing every pub in London, The Churchill Arms takes the crown for the most festive pub in town every year with its awe-inspiring display. This Kensington boozer doesn't mess around, splashing out a whopping £25,000 on flowers and decking its halls with 80 Christmas trees and a jaw-dropping 22,000 lights enveloping the exterior.

The twinkling glow invites you inside like a warm hug, perfect for escaping the chilly streets after a long day of Christmas shopping. Inside, it's a fun mix of history and hops – with festive garlands and Churchill memorabilia all around, as well as some unexpectedly mouthwatering Thai dishes to keep you fuelled.

• Why we recommend: there's a charming, old-school vibe to this pub that really screams Christmas, and even the name is seasonal. When we want a cosy drink in North London, this is our go-to
• Location: 22 Hollymount, Hampstead, NW3 6SG

For a festive tipple inside a boozer oozing seasonal charm, The Holly Bush in Hampstead is your ticket to a picture-perfect yuletide hideaway. This Dickensian gem is packed with charm, from its wood-panelled booths to its crackling coal fires, perfect for thawing out after a winter wander across the heath (or just surviving that steep climb up the hill).

This Hampstead favourite, named after the season's most iconic prickly plant, serves up a cracker of a Christmas roast and a sticky toffee pudding that might just steal the show. Pair that with a pint of the finest local ale, and you've got yourself the cosiest nook in town to warm up your holiday spirit.

• Why we recommend: there's so much history to this traditional pub, and it's perfect for a drink or two after a winter walk along the river - plus, their ale collection is second-to-none
• Location: 117 Rotherhithe High Street, SE16 4NF

London pub with Christmas trees, you ask? Step back in time at The Mayflower, a charming Thames-side cubbyhole dating all the way back to the 1620s, nestled in the cobbled streets of Rotherhithe. This cosy ale house is perfect for a mulled drink and a festive feast by candlelight, boasting stunning river views and a cracking collection of craft beers and fine wines.

As the holiday season rolls in, so does their yummy Yuletide feast — think roast turkey with all the trimmings and brandy-soaked puds that'll warm your soul. After braving the brisk riverside deck, cosy up by the open fire inside this historic inn.

• Why we recommend: one of the oldest boozers in the whole city, found in one of its most charming neighbourhoods, this historic spot will have you cosied up with a pint in no time
• Location: Spaniards Road, Hampstead, NW3 7JJ

Fancy a London pub at Christmas this winter? The Spaniards Inn has been serving up pints and history to locals and literary legends alike since 1585 (Keats and Dickens among them), making it one of London's oldest pubs and a Hampstead Heath institution. Inside, dark wood panelling, cushty nooks and crannies, creaky beams, and crackling fireplaces set the scene for a quintessentially British experience.

This storied boozer's menu leans into hearty, comforting pub classics, while the bar keeps things interesting with a rotating selection of cask ales and craft beers. If you fancy a pint with a side of history, this pub is a literary legend worth toasting to.

• Why we recommend: if you're after a Christmas pub right in the heart of the city, this is the place for you - hit the shops or the West End before unwinding here with a cask ale and a scrumptious British meal
• Location: 18 Argyll Street, Soho, W1F 7TP

The Argyll Arms is a cosy 19th-century haven that invites you to escape the holiday hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. This festive gem features private mahogany booths with etched-glass partitions, ideal for slipping away from the shopping frenzy to sip on a quiet pint or indulge in a cheeky gin, the house's speciality.

A Grade II-listed beauty from the Victorian era, it serves up hearty British pub classics alongside a top-notch selection of local cask ales that are sure to warm your cockles. And for those with a taste for adventure, keep an eye out for the rumoured secret tunnel that supposedly links this boozer to the nearby London Palladium.

• Why we recommend: boasting a real fireplace to cosy up in front of, the seasonal vibes are strong here. They've got a story or two to tell too - even Dick Turpin is said to have visited
• Location: 77 Highgate West Hill, Highgate, N6 6BU

If Father Christmas were to take a break from his sleigh, he'd find the perfect pit stop at Flask, a delightful 17th-century pub perched on Highgate West Hill. Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you; inside this former coaching inn, you'll discover a labyrinth of cosy, wooden-beamed rooms brimming with laughter, where groups gather to tackle board games and browse the well-loved books lining the shelves.

The atmosphere is delightfully snug, accentuated by low ceilings and a stunning fireplace, making it an inviting spot for a quiet drink. 

• Why we recommend: this seasonally themed rooftop is one of the best-loved drinking destinations in the whole city, and for good reason. Their cosy wigwam is perfect for winter, and the cocktails are superb
• Location: 1-5 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3JX

Searching for pubs in London open on Christmas Day? Keep your eyes peeled for reindeer and sleigh bell sightings at Queen of Hoxton on Curtain Road's rooftop winter wonderland. This lively hotspot features glowing lanterns and a permanent rooftop wigwam that transforms with the seasons, serving up cosy concoctions.

This year, you'll find a giant heated yurt, open fires and twinkling lights, providing a cosy hideaway above the city. Plus, you can sip a tiramisu espresso martini, paired with mac and cheese balls or juicy burgers.

• Why we recommend: if you're on the hunt for a hearty British meal to warm you in the leadup to Christmas, it doesn't get much better than this West London gem
• Location: 298 King's Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UG

For a jolly good time this winter, The Cadogan Arms should be your go-to Christmas Day pub in London, having served pints and seasonal cheer for over 200 years. With its charming wood panelling and sparkling chandeliers, this cosy hideaway oozes Victorian elegance.

To snag the best seat in the house, make a beeline for one of the central tables flanked by sink-in velvet bucket chairs perfectly placed in front of a roaring fireplace draped in foliage. Their menu is a love letter to British cuisine, focusing on sustainable and seasonal food so you can feel good about what you're eating.

• Why we recommend: these guys know how to do a festive menu, and the roaring fireplace makes for a great winter drinking spot
• Location: 124 The Green, Twickenham, TW2 5AG

Fancy a visit to a secret Christmas bar in London? Step inside Prince Blucher in Twickenham, a historic 19th-century inn where vintage charm meets modern comfort. With its bare-boarded bar area, nine antique-style pump handles, and quirky clip fittings, it's a cosy haven just waiting for you to pull up a chair by the roaring fireplace.

On the menu? Treat yourself to hearty home-cooked delights like glazed Hampshire ham hock while sipping on a refreshing pint of Cornish Orchard cider. Family-friendly and steeped in history, this boozer is a great escape from the frosty air and the hustle and bustle of the Big Smoke.

• Why we recommend: we love the waterside views from this pub, and with more than 250 years of history under their belt, it's clear that these guys know what they're doing when it comes to great food and drink
• Location: 27 Coldharbour, Docklands, Canary Wharf, E14 9NS

Tucked away on the banks of the River Thames, Gun is a stunning English pub that promises to warm your cockles this holiday season with its roaring fireplace. This Grade II-listed beauty has been pouring pints for over 250 years, with a guest list that reads like a who's who of history, featuring everyone from Lord Nelson to Tinie Tempah.

On their decadent Christmas menu, you'll find sophisticated dishes like seared scallops accompanied by brown onion consommé, charred button onions, grilled leeks, and white onion purée paired with crisp pints of beer or a selection of global wines.

• Why we recommend: whether you're after a three-course feast or just a casual drink, this welcoming neighbourhood pub promises a rustic interior and bucketloads of charm
• Location: 8 Queens Road, Richmond, TW10 6JJ

The Lass O' Richmond Hill is a beloved local boozer, full of rustic charm and boasting a vibrant atmosphere. Expect warm, cosy interiors, complete with comfy armchairs and a roaring fireplace in the corner, setting the festive mood.

As well as a huge selection of wines and Young's ales, this place offers a cracking Christmas menu. They're offering three courses for £50, including pan-roasted sea bream, heritage squash risotto and a classic turkey dinner.

• Why we recommend: the Christmas decorations here are some of the prettiest in the area, and after you've soaked up the festive charm, there's an affordable three-course feast waiting
• Location: Off Water Lane, Richmond, TW9 1TH

Located in Richmond, The White Cross is a friendly boozer that knows how to decorate for Christmas. The historic venue has been around since 1780, promising rustic interiors and a famous beer garden that floods when the tide comes in.

Their festive menu comes in at £40 for three courses, ranging from turkey with all the trimmings to maple-roasted heritage squash cassoulet and West Country rump of beef. Plus, there's a toasted hazelnut-topped brownie for dessert.

• Why we recommend: a striking pub that's full of history, there are all kinds of cosy nooks and crannies to settle down in across three stories here
• Location: Marble Quay, St Katherines Way, Tower Hill, E1W 1UH

A historic boozer near Tower Hill, Poplars at the Dickens Inn is found in a former warehouse that was originally used to house tea, before becoming an inn in the 18th century. This three-storey venue boasts traditional wooden exteriors with balconies, which are decked out in glowing lights at Christmas.

Expect views of the docks and lots of cosy corners to relax in, as well as large TVs showing live sports. If you're feeling peckish, they serve everything from baked camembert to ham, egg and chips or chicken tikka masala.