South West London

The South West London branch of CAMRA is blessed with a number of very good pubs and have recently announced their short list of the eight best pubs for this year. The winner will be announced at Battersea Beer Festival on Thursday 12 February 2009 following a ballot of all branch members. They are all well worth a visit.

The following descriptions are lifted from the SW London branch website where you can also find more details of Battersea Beer Festival.

Priory Arms, 83 Lansdowne Way, Stockwell SW8 2PB
The Priory Arms, a frequent previous winner, is an independent freehouse in Stockwell, to the south of the Wandsworth Road. Popular with regulars and students the pub serves four changing guest beers, often from microbreweries, alongside Hopback Summer Lightning.

Beehive, 197 St Johns Hill, Battersea SW11 1TH
An excellent local on St John's Hill, serving London Pride, ESB and a changing guest. The beer is always on superb form and the quiet, friendly atmosphere makes for a pleasant experience.

Eagle Ale House, 104 Chatham Road, Battersea SW11 6HG
A dog friendly haven in a side street off fashionable Northcote Road, serving a range of changing guest beers, often including one or more from the Westerham Brewery in Kent.

Falcon, 2 St Johns Hill, Battersea SW11 1RU
A landmark pub close to the main exit from Clapham Junction with historic interior features, now offering a wide choice of real ales from the M&B list, including for example Harvey's and Beartown.

Nightingale, 97 Nightingale Lane, Balham SW12 8NX
The ‘bird’ is like a country pub in London and easily the best in the Balham area. It is very well looked after by people who really care for their Young’s beers, and also raises huge sums for charity with its famous annual walk. There is a family conservatory at the back and you are always assured of a warm welcome.

Bricklayer’s Arms, 32 Waterman Street, Putney SW15 1DD
Our 2006 winner and the 2007 Greater London CAMRA Pub of the Year, this is a homely, family owned independent freehouse in Putney, a community local offering the full range of Timothy Taylor’s beers, guests from microbreweries and a real cider or perry.

Grapes, 39 Fairfield Street, Wandsworth SW18 1DX
Our 2005 Pub of the Year winner is an old, traditional, compact, community local, with a small patio leading to a delightful enclosed garden. Friendly and welcoming licensees look after the pub, the customers and the beers: Young’s Bitter and Special always in excellent condition.

Sultan, 78 Norman Road, South Wimbledon SW19 1BT
A previous South West London and Greater London award winner renowned for the quality of its Hop Back beers and others, is more of a village pub than back street boozer, with engaging bar staff and a warm and friendly atmosphere.