This much-loved Putney institution pulls off a neat trick: it's both a mecca for mutton-chopped ale connoisseurs and a friendly, unassuming local boozer. Tucked away on a quiet side street, not far from the Thames, the Brickie is rightly famous for its stonking, ever-changing selection of British real ales. Ask to sample a drop before taking the plunge – the friendly bar staff will help.
This is a pub that changes with the seasons. When the nights draw in, it’s the cosy atmosphere – the gentle lighting, the roaring fire, the comforting hubbub from the regulars propping up the bar – that entices. While on long summer days, the beer garden beckons: soak up some rays and some delicious English cider, and when you’re done with the sun, retire inside for a game of bar skittles – and, of course, one for the road.