The Best Riverside Pubs in London
“No matter what kind of challenge you’re up for, whether it’s getting your step count or your blood alcohol level up, there’s something for everybody along the Thames.”
I don’t know about you, but nothing screams AUTUMN to me more than a stroll down the Thames. Watching tourists and locals mingle, eating all the weird and wonderful street food London has to offer, and generally taking in all the beautiful landscapes of London. It doesn’t matter whether you’re east, west, or somewhere in the middle, the Thames is never dull. Something else that I love about a Thamespath stroll is that you’re never more than a few hundred yards away from a boozer (that’s scientifically proven, by the way). Yep, if there’s one thing we do well in this city, it’s going down the pub.
The only thing better than an afternoon down the pub, is an afternoon down the pub with a view (as that ancient proverb goes…) With this in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the best riverside pubs in London. Feel free to see this list as your guide - take it out with you on your next walk! I promise you won’t regret it.
1. The White Swan, Twickenham
You may be unwilling to venture this far west – Twickenham lies west of Richmond, south of Kew, and north of Kingston, but if you are prepared to take a trip out west, you will surely be rewarded with one of the prettiest pubs in London. Twickenham's White Swan is a hidden from the main throughfare, and this actually only adds to its charm. When you visit The White Swan, you get the feeling that you’ve found a secret place – west London locals have certainly tried to keep this place shrouded from the usual throng of London’s drunken rabble.
This 17th century pub has a beautiful terrace that sits right along on the river, laden with flowers and topped by those familiar green umbrellas that immediately make you think ‘pint of bitter please’. The White Swan has its quirks though - at high tide the garden can become completely submerged, making it very difficult to enjoy your Sunday afternoon pint. However, such design flaws really only add to its appeal. Plus, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t truly a riverside pub when the waters coming up to your kneecaps!
