The best pubs with fireplaces in London

The William IV is a 200-year-old pub where you can cosy up by the roaring fireplace in winter. Its interiors reflect a nautical and Georgian heritage, with the upstairs dining room serving refined British dishes made from seasonal, premium ingredients. Downstairs, you'll find elevated pub classics, Sunday roasts, and an extensive drinks list, but it's the crackling upstairs fire that makes this historic London pub especially inviting on cold days.

The Grade II-listed Black Lion in Kilburn is considered one of the most beautiful pubs in the country thanks to its ornate interiors. Featuring carved panels, high ceilings, and multiple fireplaces, it's a stunning spot for a pint or two regardless of the weather, but the fires definitely add to its charm when lit. The food goes beyond standard pub fare, emphasising North Indian cuisine alongside a hearty Sunday roast.

The Trafalgar Tavern, a Grade I-listed pub dating back to 1837, combines riverside views with elegant interiors featuring a roaring fireplace, chandeliers, large windows, and traditional artwork. Alongside its refined pub menu and wide drinks list, it caters to all occasions with private rooms, regular events, and family-friendly options. Among its more famous patrons you'll find Charles Dickens, a man who definitely liked his pubs with a fireplace – you'll see him on this list again.

It's a good thing The Grenadier is a pub with a fireplace, as its grisly backstory just might give you the chills. It's said to be haunted by a soldier who was beaten to death after being caught cheating at cards – the banknotes on the ceiling are an attempt to pay off his debt to appease him. Beyond the spooky stories, The Grenadier is a lovely pub with military-themed decor, also famed for its beef Wellington.

Few things embody The White Horse's blend of modernity and tradition than the big TV mounted above one if its fireplaces. Combining a traditional exterior with a stylish, contemporary interior featuring wood panelling, stained glass, leather seating, and plenty of greenery, this neighbourhood favourite offers everything from live sport and DJ nights to a back-room cocktail bar and spacious outdoor seating. The rotating kitchen residencies make sure there's always something tasty to chow down on.

Admittedly, The Albion might seem more of a summertime proposition – sitting beneath drooping wisterias in the sun is definitely a big draw. Just one look at the striking marble fireplaces, however, will prove that there's also plenty to look forward to when the temperatures drop. Complemented by designer interiors and an elevated pub menu, The Albion is a classy local haunt all year round.

As befits a pub dating back around half a millennium, The Wrestlers features period fireplaces to help keep it warm and cosy regardless of what's going on outside. The huge and imposing black fireplace in the main room is also where the Swearing of the Horns takes place. Stood beneath the antlers hanging on the mantelpiece, you can recite an oath dedicating yourself to merriment and debauchery, a tradition originating in the 17th century.

The Holly Bush has been keeping the flame alive in Hampstead for centuries, with a beautiful iron-wrought fireplace dominating the traditional pub dining room with wooden floors. You'll feel like you're in a village somewhere in the English countryside as you tuck into classic dishes like pan-seared venison or a proper Sunday roast, sip a nice ale, and soak up the heat of the fire.

Rebuilt after the Great Fire, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in the heart of London is doused in history, with notable figures such as Winston Churchill and Charles Dickens frequenting it over the centuries. The pub is spread across multiple levels and rooms, including the primary dining room where you can sit by the roaring fireplace in winter – just like prominent English writer Samuel Johnson did in the 1700s.

With a name like that, this North London boozer might conjure up visions of hot tropical beaches rather than roaring winter fires, but it actually features a beautiful function room with a grand fireplace, as well as a cosy fire heating the main bar when the weather calls for it. There is some tropical heat to be found here as well, however – the kitchen serves tasty Thai delicacies and isn't afraid to spice things up.

Built in the 18th century but restored recently, The George offers a beautiful setting fusing tradition and modernity in stylishly appointed rooms. The London pub features multiple fireplaces across its different spaces, serving an evolving all-day menu of seasonal pub classics and premium drinks, including a robust collection of spirits.

Come summer, The Spaniards Inn is a prime destination for refreshments following a stroll around Hampstead Heath thanks to its romantic beer garden, but the cosiness doesn't let up once the season change. A roaring fireplace means this London pub is a charmer year-round, with the kitchen serving up classic pub grub and the bar pouring a variety of drinks, including an annual craft beer residency.

Snug and cosy, the Holy Tavern is housed in a building dating back to the 18th century, but inside it's more of a 90s vibe. Though small, the pub features two fireplaces. If you're really into flame-lit spaces, you'll want to drop by here on a winter Tuesday. On Tuesdays, they turn off all the lights, with candles providing the only additional illumination and amping the cosiness up to 11, incidentally making it a great date spot as well.

One of the most popular Irish pubs in London, Waxy O'Connor's is spread across no fewer than six floors, so there's plenty of room for a fireplace or two. You might not have the easiest time finding them thanks to the pub's maze-like layout, though. Regardless, between the warm crackle of the flames and the warm craic of proper Irish hospitality, you're in for a fun, convivial night.

The Mayflower, named after the historic ship that carried the pilgrims across the Atlantic, is a Thames-side pub with a rich, historic atmosphere. Its candlelit interior, clad in dark wood and decorated with old photographs, features a brick fireplace and contrasts with a riverside terrace perfect for open-air drinking during warmer months. The menu covers all the pub classics.

The Admiral Hardy offers a calm escape in the heart of Greenwich, combining a traditional pub atmosphere with modern comforts. It features beautiful fireplaces that add a touch of style and timeless charm to its spaces. Guests can enjoy hearty pub food, a broad selection of drinks, and even stay overnight in one of seven cosy rooms.

The Flask in Highgate is a historic North London pub that pairs timeless charm with an elevated gastropub experience. Its menu offers seasonal takes on classic pub dishes, giving traditional favourites a refined twist. Over the centuries, notable figures from Byron, Shelley, and Keats to modern-day celebrities like Kate Moss and Jude Law have warmed themselves by its pretty brick fireplace.

The Cittie of Yorke in Holborn was rebuilt in the early 1920s, but draws on Olde England romanticism for inspiration. Unlike most London pubs with fireplaces built into a side wall, it features a unique triangular stove in the great hall at the back, giving off heat in all directions and acting as a focal point for the impressive room. Supposedly, the stove dates back to the Napoleonic era.

The main issue with the Rose & Crown in Stoke Newington is that once the fires are up and roaring, it's rather hard to imagine having to get up and braving whatever nasty weather is waiting outside. Decked out in wood panels for a snug and homey feel, this is the kind of pub where time stops on a winter evening. Thankfully, there are guest rooms available if you do decide to make a night of it.

Camden boozer The Lock Tavern is a buzzing local pub with fireplaces, known for its cosy worn-in interiors and expansive garden. Alongside an upstairs cocktail bar and roof terrace, it serves a solid line-up of draft beers, wines, and cocktails. Food ranges from burgers and pizzas to hearty Sunday roasts, with a vegan Wellington among the options.