The best pubs near parks in London

Park next door? Wimbledon Common

Situated on the far corner of the common, the Crooked Billet is the ideal pitstop after a long ramble – or for sustenance before. It’s a dog walker’s paradise, where your pooch can enjoy homemade dog biscuits while you get stuck into classic pub grub. The cosy village vibe makes it easy to hole yourself up, but no one bats an eyelid if you want to take drinks onto the grassy quadrangle outside.

Park next door? Brockwell Park

A beer-focused pub by Brockwell Park? We'll drink to that. When it's no longer warm enough to go lounging with a tin of Red Stripe on the dry grass, this is the next best thing. Who needs sunshine anyway?

Park next door? Ealing Common

This twee Ealing pub and dining room looks a little chichi, but it's a homely, cosy sort of boozer on the edge of the Common, great for a park-side meal with all the family. It's been going since the 1870s and is now owned by Young's brewery, so sip on reliable pints and browse the menu of roasts, platters and British classics. 

Park next door? Blackheath Common

A temple to craft beer, the Hare and Billet offers brews from the likes of Brockley Brewery, Wales’s Tiny Rebel, Beavertown, The Kernel, Partizan and Weird Beard. Wines are biodynamic and natural, and there’s even a few perries on tap. After lining the stomach with their posh pub grub, take a pint out onto the grass for an icy dessert.

Park next door? Victoria Park

With a beer garden that backs onto Victoria Park, its very own microbrewery and a mini crazy golf course, it’s no wonder that this E9 pub is packed to the rafters during summertime. But it's just as good in the cooler months, with pub grub, a solid selection of gins, and quizzes, discos and comedy nights after the sun goes down.

Park next door? Greenwich Park

The oldest pub in Greenwich, this little gem is minutes from the Royal Observatory and has a gorgeous view over the park. It offers a new guest ale every week and the staff are always happy to dish out tasters.

Park next door? Battersea Park

This airy corner pub is in a prime position for beautiful views on the park. If you’re peckish, there’s high-quality, imaginative pub fare – dishes like chicken kiev with crushed purple potatoes and eggs royale with Dorset crab. With décor straight from the pages of Country Living, this friendly spot stays buzzing until late, not least because of the ample garden terrace.

Park next door? Regent's Park

This unusually named Victorian pub was once the Royal Hunting Lodge – now it serves Mediterranean mezze plates like lahmacun, baba ganoush and appropriately, marinated artichoke hearts. There’s also an extensive a la carte menu including seafood platters and Greek slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Fill up on grub, quaff a few glasses from the wine list and stumble back through Regent’s Park to burn it all off.

Park next door? Hampstead Heath

Drink with the ghosts of Keats and Dickens at this 400 year-old Hampstead haunt with a garden almost as big as the Heath itself. Each course on the well-thought-out menu comes with a suggested beer pairing and the desserts are well worth crossing the wilderness for. A haven for country bumpkins, this is about as idyllic as it gets within Zone 2.

Park next door? Hackney Downs

Perched on the outskirts of Hackney Downs, the Star is near-permanently occupied by party-loving patrons. DJ nights, a bookable karaoke booth, pub quizzes and a changing roster of street food pop-ups are all part of the package, so it makes for the ideal starting (or ending) point of your night. Soothe a sore head the following morning with their Bacchus Sundays – they cook the roast and serve it banquet style to your group. All you have to do is carve up and dig in.