The London Pub Guide

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

Thames Path Pub Walk

A walk along the South Bank and beyond, stopping at six pubs with river views. Start at Borough Market and end in Greenwich. The Thames Path connects them all, with some of the best views London has to offer between stops.

6 stops5.5 milesFull dayBest in summer

The Route

1
The Anchor
Start at this riverside Bankside pub with views of St Paul's across the water. Shakespeare's Globe is next door. Samuel Pepys watched the Great Fire of London from here in 1666. The terrace catches morning sun.
What to drink: A pint on the terrace with St Paul's in the background.
🚶 5 min walk (0.2 miles)
2
The George
A short walk inland to London's last surviving galleried coaching inn. The courtyard is one of the most remarkable pub spaces in the city. Owned by the National Trust, it dates to the 17th century.
What to drink: A pint in the cobbled courtyard. Imagine the stage coaches pulling in.
🚶 25 min walk (1.1 miles) along the Thames Path
3
The Angel
Follow the Thames Path east through Bermondsey to this riverside pub. The walk takes you past Tower Bridge and along the atmospheric cobbled streets of Shad Thames. The pub has a cracking terrace with views towards the City.
What to drink: Something cold on the waterside terrace. You have earned it after the walk.
🚶 5 min walk (0.2 miles)
4
The Mayflower
A short walk further along the Thames to this historic Rotherhithe pub. Named after the Pilgrim Fathers' ship, which departed from near here in 1620. The rear deck overhangs the Thames.
What to drink: A pint on the rear deck, directly over the water.
🚶 40 min walk (1.8 miles) or take the Thames Clipper
5
The Trafalgar Tavern
A longer walk through Deptford to this magnificent Regency-era pub right on the Thames in Greenwich. The river views from the bay windows are some of the best in London. Dickens used it as a setting in Our Mutual Friend.
What to drink: A pint by the bay windows overlooking the Thames.
🚶 3 min walk (0.1 miles)
6
The Cutty Sark
End your Thames walk at this Greenwich riverside pub next to the famous ship. River views towards the O2. The garden catches afternoon sun and the roast is worth staying for. Greenwich Market is right behind you.
What to drink: A final pint in the garden as the sun goes down over the river.
Best for
Sunny daysWeekend walksVisitorsRiver loversPhotography
More pub crawls
The Bermondsey Beer Mile: 8 Stops → The Classic Soho Pub Crawl: 5 Historic Pubs → View all pub crawl routes → The 10 Best Beer Gardens in South London →
The London Pub Guide
A Cultural Capital Labs project · mikelitman.me