Sometimes London hands you the perfect day on a plate - quite literally! The Stablehand, a remarkable London gastropub just a stone's throw from Lancaster Gate, is one of those rare finds that ticks every box: exceptional food, an affordable set lunch, a beautiful setting, and a location that practically begs you to extend the fun with a wander through Kensington Gardens.
Plan it right and you've got yourself one of the loveliest afternoons the city has to offer!
I loved every minute of our time there, and I'm thrilled to bring you along today on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
A London pub with a past...and a very horsey neighbour!
The story behind The Stablehand
The pub has been serving locals since around 1840. For 166 years it traded under the name of the Archery Tavern and became a genuine neighbourhood institution.
Winston Churchill and Tony Blair are among the notable figures said to have passed through its doors over the years.
Now The Stablehand is one of London's most exciting gastropubs, with a clear and rather wonderful mission: to celebrate the very best of British produce, and it does so with real conviction!
Every ingredient is sourced from the British Isles wherever possible, and where that's not feasible, they turn to countries with close ties to Britain. The wine list leans heavily on English and Welsh vineyards.
The name Stablehand, meanwhile, is no accident. It's a direct tribute to what you'll find just around the corner!
London's last stables, right next door
Just beside the pub, you'll be transported to another era entirely: this cobbled Victorian mews is home to the city's last two working riding stables!
Hyde Park Stables has been operating here since 1835. Both stables offer rides and lessons out into Hyde Park. On a good afternoon, you might even spot riders clip-clopping past on the cobblestones!
It's one of those quietly magical London moments that reminds you just how full of surprises this city really is!
Set lunch at The Stablehand: a meal to remember!
One of the things that makes The Stablehand so special is the complete package it offers: a warm and welcoming atmosphere, outstanding British food, and a set lunch that is quite simply one of the best deals in London!
The atmosphere
Inside, The Stablehand is everything a proper British gastropub should be: warm wood panelling, plush velvet furnishings, and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for the afternoon.
It's cosy without being cramped, stylish without being stiff. The kind of place where you immediately feel at ease!
The set lunch deal you won't believe!
We visited on a Saturday, and what a pleasant surprise to find the set lunch available at the weekend! A rare treat in London. We were not disappointed. Not even slightly.
And here's the best part: 2 courses for £14.95, 3 courses for £18.95. In central London. On a Saturday. Honestly, when did you last see that?
This alone makes The Stablehand one of the best value gastropubs in London and the food more than lives up to the price!
The irresistible starters
We began with a Pork & Leek Scotch Egg. I have to be honest with you, it has ruined all other Scotch eggs for me! Completely.
This was the total opposite of the dry, stodgy versions you so often encounter: juicy, perfectly seasoned, with a beautifully runny yolk at the centre and a light, golden crust. Just perfect!
The soup of the day was equally comforting: deeply flavourful and exactly what you want on a crisp afternoon.
The hearty mains
My husband had the Ham Hock with St. Ewe's eggs and chips. It was generous and satisfying. The St. Ewe's eggs, with their famously golden yolks from Cornwall, were a lovely touch.
The Home-Made Fish Pie (left) Ham Hock with St. Ewe's eggs and chips (right)
I went for the Home-Made Fish Pie, and it was, without question, the finest I have ever eaten! Creamy (properly, luxuriously creamy) packed with vegetables and generous, flavoursome fish. The kind of dish you'd come back for alone.
The indulgent desserts
The Bramley Apple & Pear Crumble was a true delight: piled high with fruit, a crumble topping that was golden, buttery and perfectly textured (not too thick, not too fine) and absolutely delicious! The best crumble I have eaten in the UK, and I have eaten a great many!!
My husband had ice cream (chocolate and strawberry flavours), which went down a treat too!
Throughout the meal, the service was warm and attentive without ever hovering. We noticed several regulars being greeted by name. Always the best sign. The kind of team that clearly loves what they do, and it shows!
Beyond the pub: exploring stables & Kensington Gardens
One of the things that makes The Stablehand so special is that it sits within one of London's most beautiful areas for an afternoon wander.
A detour through Bathurst Mews
After lunch, we headed straight to Bathurst Mews for a proper look at the stables, and it was every bit as charming as promised: horses, cobblestones, fresh hay, and the peculiar magic of standing in the middle of London feeling as though you've wandered into a country village. Don't skip this, it's genuinely worth a few minutes of your time.
A walk through Kensington Gardens
From there, it's barely a five-minute walk to the north entrance of Kensington Gardens and in spring, this stretch of the park is quite simply breathtaking!
We visited to admire the cherry trees in full blossom: an explosion of pale pink and white that turns the whole park into something from a painting.
Feeling inspired? If you’re planning a visit to The Stablehand, I’d love to hear about your experience on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
Everything you need to know about The Stablehand:
The Stablehand : 4 Bathurst Street, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, W2 2SD
Nearest tube: Lancaster Gate (Central line)
Website: thestablehand.co.uk
Opening hours: Monday–Thursday: 12pm–11:30pm | Friday & Saturday: 12pm–midnight | Sunday: 12pm–10:30pm
*I was invited to visit The Stablehand as a guest, but as always, all opinions are entirely my own.
