London Public Houses (7)

The Churchill Arms

119 Kensington Church St., Notting Hill, Kensington, London W8 7LN

Tel :020 7727 4242

"It would be hard to find a more traditional London pub than the Churchill Arms. Praised by press and customers alike, it offers consistently great beers, excellent food and good service. Manager Gerry O'Brien has run the Churchill enthusiastically for more than twenty-five years and created a pub to be proud of.

In summer the pub is buried beneath an abundance of flowers and the Churchill has won numerous awards for its displays including 'Boozer In Bloom' at Chelsea Flower Show 2007 when Gerry was interviewed by Alan Titchmarsh and Joe Swift.

Inside, it is rammed full with curiosities and memorabilia; all manner of objects hang from the ceiling, including copper vessels, hat boxes and an astonishing number of chamber pots. Every inch of shelf and wall space is crammed with intriguing items, including a beautiful butterfly collection.

The pictures of American Presidents, from Washington to Nixon; British Premiers and a good number of British Royals, are only out-done by images of Winston Churchill, who takes pride-of-place. This pub was originally called The Marlborough in honour of an earlier Churchill ancestor.

Apart form the surroundings, the reasonably priced Thai food is a major attraction, served in the pretty creeper covered restaurant, which occupies the old garage at the rear. Simple British bar food is available at lunchtimes and there is a traditional roast on Sundays. Children are allowed in the restaurant only."