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Paxton's Head, London


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Operator: Greene King
153 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7PA (View on Google Map)
Real ale discount scheme

A licensed premise has stood on this site since at least 1632. Now a magnet for tourists and Grade II listed, this majestic 1900-1902 ‘gin palace’ designed by the architect GD Martin has a central bar and superb etched glass mirrors, polished woodwork and tiles. It was originally the Marquis of Granby's Head but was rebuilt in 1851 and renamed after Sir Joseph Paxton, designer of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park that year. Both the elegant upstairs restaurant and the cosy Hydeaway Sports Bar downstairs, with TVs, pool and table football, can be booked for functions. The food offering includes Sunday roasts.

Note that, unusually for Westminster borough, alcohol may be sold from 10am on Sundays.

Historic Interest

Grade II listed, Historic England entry 1381202.

Information for this venue is provided by the West London Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Westminster
Last updated
06/12/2024
Last surveyed
22/06/2011
Leasehold owner
other
Freehold owner
Knightsbridge Freehold Company Ltd (IOM)
Pub ID
WLD/16068
Asset of Community Value

Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest

Listed status: II

A fine example of an ornate pub from the turn of the century which retains most of its original fittings.

This popular pub is but a small part of the massive Park Mansions retail and residential redevelopment designed by architect G D Martin: it is located in the phase that was built in 1900-2. There had been a pub on the site for generations and thus we have an interesting example of continuous usage for the licensed trade. The name commemorates Joseph Paxton who designed the Crystal Palace which once stood nearby. Superlative etched and cut glass mirrors can be found lining the walls and in doors and baffles. Motifs include grotesque masks, mythical birds, fruit, flowers and swirling foliage – all stock features in the repertoire of contemporary pub glass designs. Note the doors at the rear right which have PH monograms.

At the side of the pub is the entrance to a hallway which leads to a stately staircase to an upstairs dining area, and to a secondary doorway to the bar. The hallway also displays copious etched mirror work and  has a panelled ceiling.

There’s an island servery with curved ends and a fielded panel counter front (the tiling at its base is modern). The wonderfully ornate stillion rises to the height of the ceiling at its far end. There’s a central vestibule  with clock above, and a fireplace to the rear left with a corbelled overmantel. There is also an attractive Lincrusta ceiling with foliage decoration, and a dumb waiter at the rear of the pub. Originally there would have been partitions dividing the bar area but these have all been swept away. The rather overbearing superstructure on the counter and bridges to the side walls were inserted in the mid 20th century.

At one time there were three Victorian paintings of pastoral scenes at the front of the pub on the right, similar to those at the Viaduct Tavern in Holborn. But they were lost in a major refurbishment of the early seventies when additional glazing was inserted.

General information about historic pub interiors

This popular pub is but a small part of the massive Park Mansions retail and residential redevelopment designed by architect G D Martin: it is located in the phase that was built in 1900-2. There had been a pub on the site for generations and thus we have an interesting example of continuous usage for the licensed trade. The name commemorates Joseph Paxton who designed the Crystal Palace which once stood nearby. Superlative etched and cut glass can be found lining the walls and in doors and baffles. Motifs include grotesque masks, mythical birds, fruit, flowers and swirling foliage – all stock features in the repertoire of contemporary pub glass designs. Note the doors at the rear right which have PH monograms.

The bar counter with its panelled front and the ornate stillion in the middle date back to 1902, as does the central lobby with clock above. There is also an attractive Lincrusta ceiling with foliage decoration. Originally there would have been subdivisions surrounding the counter but these have all been swept away. The superstructure on the counter and bridges to the side walls are modern work.

General information about historic pub interiors
Monday
10:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
10:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
10:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
10:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
10:00am - Midnight
Saturday
10:00am - Midnight
Sunday
10:00am - 10:30pm
Monday
10:00am - 10:00pm
Tuesday
10:00am - 10:00pm
Wednesday
10:00am - 10:00pm
Thursday
10:00am - 10:00pm
Friday
10:00am - 10:00pm
Saturday
10:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday
10:00am - 9:00pm

Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Paxton's Head, London

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
TNT & Sky
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Accompanied children welcome
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Function Room Function Room
Games Games
Pool, table football
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Member Discount Scheme Member Discount Scheme
10% discount off cask beer for CAMRA members
Transport
Close to bus routes (150m)
various
Closest station (2000m)
London Victoria
Close to London Underground/Overground/DLR (100m)
Knightsbridge

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