I first visited the The Churchill Arms years ago, not long after arriving in London and spending the afternoon wandering through Holland Park. Ever since, this pub has held a special place in my mind.
Tucked away in Notting Hill, it’s a Victorian pub almost completely buried beneath flowers, one of the most instantly recognisable facades in London. Inside, you’ll find the atmosphere of a classic British boozer, alongside some of the city’s most beloved Thai food!
On paper, none of it should make sense together. But somehow, it works perfectly.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON is taking you inside one of the most unique pubs in the capital!
The Churchill Arms: a history that starts in 1750
The Churchill Arms has been standing on Kensington Church Street since 1750, one of the oldest pubs in London still serving pints.
The name? Surprisingly, it’s not actually a direct tribute to Winston Churchill himself.
His grandparents were said to be regulars here in the early 1800s, and after World War II, the pub was renamed in honour of the Churchill family.
A nod to both the family’s local connection and Britain’s wartime spirit.
There's even a gloriously fake blue plaque claiming Churchill "made his wartime broadcasts here". Don't believe it, but do enjoy it!
For 32 years, the pub's real soul was an Irishman from County Clare named Gerry O'Brien, who took over as landlord in 1985.
He served around two million pints of London Pride, packed the walls with wartime memorabilia, and single-handedly turned the exterior into the floral landmark it is today.
He retired in 2017, but his fingerprints are everywhere.
A Pub with two distinct personalities
Inside, the pub is split into two completely different worlds.
The front bar feels classic and chaotic in the best way: low beams, stained glass, Churchill portraits, vintage signs, and bric-a-brac hanging from every surface.
Then, towards the back, it opens into the Thai restaurant space: brighter, greener, and almost conservatory-like, filled with plants, colourful decor, and a totally different atmosphere.
It somehow shouldn’t work together, but that’s exactly what makes it so special.
The best Thai Food in a British Pub?
Nobody walks into a Victorian Fuller's pub expecting to order pad thai. And yet, here we are!
Back in 1988, a Thai chef named Ben (a regular at the pub) kept gently nudging landlord Gerry O'Brien to let him cook. It was dismissed, then reconsidered, then became one of the best accidental decisions in London pub history!
The Churchill Arms was apparently the first pub in London to serve Thai food.
Today, the kitchen is run from a lush, plant-filled space at the back of the pub, with ferns hanging from the ceiling, soft lighting, and family recipes passed down through generations.
I love the quirky details covering the walls: vintage signs, hanging ornaments, and colourful Thai decor packed into every corner. It feels eccentric, cosy, and full of character all at once!
Why everyone falls in love with The Churchill Arms
A favourite for Londoners and tourists
Part of what makes the The Churchill Arms so special is how it appeals to both tourists and Londoners alike.
Visitors come for the famous flower-covered facade and the novelty of Thai food inside a traditional pub, while locals return for its atmosphere, history, and unmistakable character.
The flowers are the thing
The pub spends £25,000 a year on its floral displays (yep): 42 hanging baskets, 48 window boxes, and 100 flower pots covering the entire facade!!
In spring and summer you can barely see the brickwork. In winter, 90 Christmas trees and 11,500 fairy lights take over. It's been recognised at the Chelsea Flower Show and won the Evening Standard Pub of the Year.
A mix of eccentricity, history, and atmosphere that keeps people coming back
In a city full of historic pubs, the The Churchill Arms still feels completely one of a kind: a flower-covered Victorian pub, packed with Churchill memorabilia, serving beloved Thai food in a conservatory-like dining room.
There’s simply nowhere else in London quite like it!
The perfect location
Right around the corner from Portobello Road, five minutes from Notting Hill Gate station, close to Kensington Palace... the location alone makes it a perfect stop on any west London afternoon!
Feeling inspired? I'd love to hear about your visit on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
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Everything you need to know about The Churchill Arms:
Address: 119 Kensington Church Street, London W8 7LN. 5 min walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station.
Opening hours: Mon–Wed 11am–11pm | Thu–Sat 11am–midnight | Sun 12pm–10:30pm
Food: Thai dishes from £9 — no reservation for the bar, but the restaurant fills up quickly (booking available for dinner only).
Website: churchillarmskensington.co.uk
Churchill Arms | Notting Hill | Iconic pub | Historic pub | British pub
