Until 2020 a Shepherd Neame house and, sometime before that, a Whitbread pub, the lease of the Wilton Arms is now held by Inda Pubs who reopened it in September 2021. Inda, a small operator running a number of pubs around London, has a good record in upgrading local pubs.
The pub, dating from 1826 and Grade II listed, underwent a significant makeover prior to reopening, opening up the ground floor room to more natural light from the large windows at the front and from the conservatory down a few steps to the rear. The bar counter front, of heavily carved wood, contrasts with a modern open chrome metal shelving back-bar. The room retains its wooden panelling, fireplace and polished wooden floor and is now furnished with rugs and an eclectic mixture of dining tables and chairs.
Upstairs is a delightful function room in which the refurbishment has exposed some very old wallpaper, original sash window shutters and another fireplace. The ambience of the room has been enhanced by the hanging of some wonderful paintings on the walls.
The two handpumps may offer a choice of Allsopp's ales (this is a new "brand" owned by a descendant of the Allsopp family who has revived the beers) and sometimes Fuller's London Pride. The kitchen provides an up-market menu of classic British food including a roast dish on Sundays.
This venue is card-only, no cash.
Historic Interest
Grade II listed, Historic England ref 1251180. The Wilton Arms was a managed Whitbread pub which was recorded as selling an unpressurised Whitbread draught beer (real ale) from the Chiswell Street brewery in the very first CAMRA 'Real Beer in London' pub guide in 1974. By the next edition in 1975 however the real ale had gone following the pending closure of Chiswell Street but it re-appeared in the 1979 edition selling Wethered Bitter from Marlow. By the 1986 edition of 'Real Beer in South West London', Brakspear Bitter had been added, both beers later replaced by Boddington Bitter, Greene King Abbot and Whitbread Golden Ale. Together with most of the Whitbread pub estate the site passed to the Laurel Pub Co in 2001, and was quickly sold on to Shepherd Neame in 2002 who ran it until Inda Pubs took over in 2021.
This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 0 regular beers.
Wilton Arms, London
Changing beers typically include: Allsopp's (varies)