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Pubs are such a fundamental part of British society, and their unique architecture is a defining feature of British cities. I won't be going back immediately, but in honor of their reopening, here's a thread of empty pubs during lockdown.
Half Moon Pub - Herne Hill
Half Moon Pub - Herne Hill
Most pubs are along busy streets, but some of the best are found in quiet neighborhoods.
The Effra Hall is close to central Brixton in a Victorian residential area.
The Effra Hall is close to central Brixton in a Victorian residential area.
The Crown & Greyhound - Dulwich Village was built in 1897 by a firm of architects who specialized in pubs. It's a delightfully ornate exterior with a classic interior of dark wood, mouldings, and stained glass.
The Prince of Wales - Pimlico was rebuilt in its present form in 1925, though it could pass for a medieval building just as well with its Dutch gables, small pane windows, and rustic details.
The Sun - Clapham occupies what was once a butcher's shop
The Fentiman Arms - Oval is another of those pubs on a relatively quiet street of Victorian terraces. They handily left the lights on throughout lockdown to make taking photos easier.
The Prince of Wales - Kennington is on Cleaver Square, a beautiful Georgian square (though the pub was rebuilt in 1901, far later than most of the houses).
The Roebuck - Borough, a popular pub in a late Victorian building and still independent!
The Thomas Cubitt - Belgravia, named after the famous builder who built much of Belgravia and Pimlico, is not quite your neighborhood local, but still a stunning building.
The Albert - Victoria, sadly hemmed in by subpar neighbours, was rebuilt in 1867 on the site of an earlier pub.
Ye Grapes - Mayfair, is in Shepherd Market and originally opened in 1882
The Rectory - Clapham. Such a simple building, yet it's still unmistakably a pub.
The Sugar Loaf - City of London. I suspect pubs in the City will have a harder time to get going again given that they mainly serve city workers on weekdays.
The Royal Standard - Wandsworth is a small gem of a pub just off Old York Road in Wandsworth Town, at the end of a Victorian terrace
To conclude my pub series, a few of my local pubs which I haven't yet had the chance to visit.
The Lighthouse - Battersea, a whimsical Victorian pub on busy Battersea Park Road
The Lighthouse - Battersea, a whimsical Victorian pub on busy Battersea Park Road
The Latchmere - Battersea is a favourite of my housemates, with apparently a nice garden out back.
What a mix of materials with those glazed tiles on the ground floor and the second story highlighted by white paint, all topped by an exuberant cornice.
What a mix of materials with those glazed tiles on the ground floor and the second story highlighted by white paint, all topped by an exuberant cornice.
Duke Of Cambridge - Battersea has an unusual glass canopy out front
Just across the river, The Chelsea Pig - Chelsea, one of those gastropubs which is more brasserie than pub (this being Chelsea), but clothed in typical rustic pub garb.
