The London Pub Guide

100+ of London's finest pubs, curated for every occasion

The Bermondsey Beer Mile

The famous Bermondsey Beer Mile runs along the railway arches from London Bridge to Wapping. Brewery taprooms, bottle shops and proper pubs. Saturday is the day -- most taprooms open from 11am. Start at the west end and work your way east.

8 stops2.5 miles4-6 hoursSaturday only for taprooms

The Route

1
Start at Borough Market's legendary craft beer bar. Tiny, always busy, with one of the best rotating tap lists in London. The perfect warm-up.
What to drink: Whatever is freshest on the board. Trust the bar staff.
🚶 3 min walk (0.1 miles)
2
A quick detour to this riverside pub with Thames views and proper history. Samuel Johnson, Pepys and Shakespeare all drank here. Good for steadying yourself before the taprooms.
What to drink: A pint of cask ale on the terrace overlooking the river.
🚶 4 min walk (0.2 miles)
3
London's last surviving galleried coaching inn, owned by the National Trust. The courtyard is magnificent. A proper historic pub before the modern brewery crawl begins.
What to drink: A pint in the cobbled courtyard. Soak up the history.
🚶 3 min walk (0.1 miles)
4
Borough Market's best pub, opening early on market days. A proper pub with serious cask ale credentials. The beer quality here is exceptional.
What to drink: Ask what is on cask. They rotate constantly and it is always good.
🚶 20 min walk (0.9 miles) along the Thames Path
5
Leave Borough behind and walk along the Thames Path to this riverside gem in Bermondsey. River views, afternoon sun, a proper pub atmosphere.
What to drink: Something cold on the terrace. You have earned it.
🚶 3 min walk (0.1 miles)
6
Named after the ship that sailed to America from near this spot. The only pub in England licensed to sell postage stamps. The rear deck overhangs the Thames.
What to drink: A pint of real ale on the Thames deck. Watch the river.
🚶 5 min walk (0.2 miles)
7
London's oldest riverside pub, dating to 1520. Originally called The Devil's Tavern, it was frequented by smugglers, pirates and thieves. The flagstone floor and pewter bar are original.
What to drink: A pint of London Pride at the pewter bar. Tradition matters.
🚶 4 min walk (0.2 miles)
8
A narrow pub on Wapping High Street with a dark history: it overlooks the old Execution Dock where pirates were hanged. The cellar was used to hold Captain Blood after he tried to steal the Crown Jewels. End the crawl with a story.
What to drink: Whatever you can still taste. You have earned a final pint.
Best for
Craft beer loversStag dosBirthday celebrationsBeer geeksSaturday sessions