Best London pubs for a quiet drink

This is a contemporary pub, with antique furniture and lavish architecture, set in a former town hall building. Prop up at the bar with a novel and you’ll feel like an especially serious character in a period drama. AH

The quietest spot at this fresh, modern pub? It’s right at the end of the beer garden. That’s where you’ll find a flora-lined row of tables that feels more like someone’s allotment than a pub terrace. FYI, it does a mean brunch. KL

Of course The Anglesea Arms is fancy, it’s in Chelsea for goodness sake, but it’s also super-friendly. Though if you want to be left the hell alone, staff are more than happy to do so after serving you up a whopping big glass of Whispering Angel. It’s also blissful on a sunny day if you feel like sitting out on its flowery front terrace, aka the perfect place to take in the rarefied air of South Ken. LC

Shhhh, hear that? It’s the sound of the breeze in Notting Hill. The Elgin’s so chill that you’re rumoured to be able to hear it flowing through the bare-walled building. Inside you’ll find free wi-fi, charging points and seats in quiet little cubby holes. Basically, if you ever want to ‘work from pub’ this is the place to go. KL

Sometimes all you need to make a lazy afternoon feel properly, properly relaxing is a bit of me-time cuddling your dog. The Pineapple positively encourages you to bring in your furry kid while you chill out in the venue’s quiet, retro conservatory. KL