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Established in 1835, and re-opened in 1994 as a real ale and jazz pub, it quickly acquired iconic status as a leading edge in the cask beer revolution. When owners Steve Barnes and Will Williams (under whom it had been North London CAMRA Pub of the Year four times) announced their intention to retire, a massive campaign by local people and CAMRA supported by Hackney Council led to the pub being eventually saved. It closed for a refurbishment of the ground floor early in 2013 and re-opened with welcome new loos.
Simple snacks menu of toasties, Pieminster pies, baked Camembert and tuna melts are served, at a price which won't break the bank. Beer menu will of course be subject to regular change, but something from a London brewery should usually be available and a mild!
Two minutes from the Regent's Canal. Five minutes from buses on City Road, 10 to 15 mins from Old St stations. A member of CAMRA's LocAle scheme. Runner-up in the North London CAMRA Pub of the Year competition 2016, Winner in 2017. Also a winner of the Cider Pub of the Year category although the range dropped off in 2021.
Up until Sept 2023 it had occasionally served beer from their own cellar - separately operated BLOCK brewery. However our understanding is that such brewing is no more.
Historic Interest
Local listing:- This small late-Georgian public house was built in 1835. It opened as a public house in 1836. Standing beside the tow path of the Regent's Canal the early history of the pub is associated with the users of the canal and the nearby Wenlock Basin. It initially served as the brewery tap to Messrs Lane and Bowden's nearby Wenlock Brewery, a function it continued until production stopped in 1962. After a period of closure, the pub reopened under its present ownership in 1994, since which time it has acquired a reputation as one of London's leading 'real ale' houses. The Wenlock Arms is a two-storey corner building of stock brick and stucco. On the ground floor are large plate-glass windows set in moulded arched surrounds with floral decoration in the spandrels, framed by pilasters whose capitals are enriched with tiny bunches of grapes. There are three pairs of two-panel doors, those on the corner now sealed shut. The first-floor windows are segment-headed horned sashes in stucco architraves; on the north elevation a large painted stucco plaque reads 'THE WENLOCK ARMS / WINE AND SPIRIT STORES'. The roof is concealed behind a moulded cornice and parapet. To the east is a single-bay extension, similar in style and materials to the main building probably dating from the late 19th century.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
This pub retains fittings from the late Victorian period, with the most eye-catching being the central stillion and the mirrored bar-back.
Established in 1835, this charismatic corner pub survived attempts at conversion into housing in 2013. It was the brewery tap for the nearby Wenlock Brewery, which closed in 1962. A large plaque displayed on the Sturt Street frontage proclaims “The Wenlock Arms - Wine and Spirit Stores”.
Within, the pub is now a single space, having lost its internal partitions. Two slender columns with ionic capitals support the ceiling. Mosaic floor decoration in the entrance doorways have the legends ‘Wenlock Arms’ and ‘Private Bar’ respectively.There is a promontory servery with a classic panelled Victorian counter which has elegant curved corners – note the three cupboards in the front. The glory of the pub is the single bay Victorian stillion, which reaches to the ceiling (fridges have replaced the lower shelving). An archway connects it to a mirrored back fitting. Both this and the stilllion are fitted with pretty narrow decorated mirrored panels. There is a brick fireplace of no great age, and above it an excellent “Wenlock Famous Ales and Stouts” mirror. A matchboard panelled dado throughout; and the fixed seating appears to be old.
Marring the overall effect is a very obtrusive pot rack; nevertheless, this pub is well worth seeking out.
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This Pub serves 10 changing beers (Up to 10 depending upon time of year and the day itself) and 1 regular beer.
Wenlock Arms, London
Source: National
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Live Music
Family Friendly
Disabled Access
Dog Friendly
Games
Smoking
Wi Fi
Real Ale
Real Cider
Real Heritage Pub
LocAle
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.jpg "Exterior. by Rex Ward. Published on")