Three London Wetherspoons have been named among England’s best

We Londoners love a good pub. They’re very much part of the fabric of our city, a crucial element of our history and our culture. And you know what that also means? We also dig a good list of pubs: we love to rank them from best to worst, considering very crucial criteria like fireside nook, pub garden, dog action, even crisp options. 

It’s no surprise that recent rankings abound, including Time Out’s definitive list of the 50 best London boozers (lovingly researched by our tireless food and drink editor Leonie Cooper). But it seems that others are in on the action and in a recent list of the best UK Wetherspoons compiled by The Daily Express from customer reviews on TripAdvisor, no fewer than three of the top ten are in London.

So, given that pub chain ’Spoons is a byword for value and manages to thrive when other pub chains are struggling – as our recent story about the brand-new £3 million Wetherspoons boozer at the O2 Arena reveals – what is it about these London pubs in particular that has captured hearts and minds?

The highest ranking, at number two in England, is south-east London’s The Brockley Barge. Despite its distinct lack of water nowadays, Brockley was once the site of a section of the Croydon Canal, hence the name, and the pub has reference to its history, both in its boaty curved frontage and interior decor. Boasting real ales and a friendly vibe, it fits right in with the café and dining culture of leafy SE4.