Harp, London

The Harp for many years was first tenanted and then owned by the legendary Binnie Walsh, who ran it as a small, friendly, and independent free house with a large selection of well-kept ales and still ciders. Under her leadership it picked up numerous awards including in 2010 the ultimate accolade, CAMRA National Pub of the Year.

In 2014 the pub was bought by Fuller's who upgraded the plumbing and wiring but otherwise left the pub pretty much the same. Fuller's gave a commitment that it would continue to recognise this iconic pub, particularly amongst ale and cider drinkers. From 2014 the pub has carried on winning various CAMRA and other awards (see 2018 branch Pub of the Year photo with manager Paul Sims and branch chairman the late Les Maggs) including again branch PoTY in 2023. A board in the upstairs lounge now lists its various awards (with plenty of space left, see photo!). Also see photo of the CAMRA certificates displayed in the ground-floor bar area.

The pub is popular with musicians and stage hands from the London Coliseum (when they can squeeze in!), for whom it has a convenient back door. The narrow bar is adorned with mirrors and portraits; there is no intrusive music or TV; and the upstairs room provides a refuge from the busy throng. This pub is deservedly popular as a main cask ale destination venue in central London and can become very crowded, but once you manage to get to the bar you will normally be spotted and served quickly. Drinking is permitted outside.

The alleyway (Brydges Place, formerly Taylors Buildings until the 1930s) next door was for years blocked with doors by the pub's neighbour, the Institute of Chinese Medicine. Through the campaigning efforts of a CAMRA member and a local business man, after more than 10 years Westminster Council reasserted rights to this as a public highway and the doors were removed. The Harp site has been noted by Westminster Council as an unlisted building of merit.

The picture of "Dominic Pinto at the Bar, Sunday afternoon" is by kind permission of Dominic Pinto and artist Lewis Hazelwood-Horner.