The Great Northern Railway Tavern, N8 — Restaurant in London

🚇 Hornsey 🍺 £6.95 Siren IPA

This pub stands on the bustling high street in Hornsey, North London. The nearest station is Hornsey Mainline.

This stunning Grade II listed pub was built in 1897, replacing an earlier establishment from 1865 that served nearby Hornsey Station.

The pub takes its name from the Great Northern Railway, the company that brought the line through Hornsey in the 1840s and opened Hornsey Station in 1850.

This is a large, traditionally decorated, one-bar pub with two adjoining rooms. This Fuller’s pub has been recently refurbished, and the results are very impressive. The main bar area is located at the front and forms an “L” shape around the servery. Just off the main bar area is the magnificent former music room. The decor includes original woodwork, painted glass skylights, decorated mirrors, etched and stained glass, traditional furniture, and an ornamental fireplace. At the rear of the pub is a large, split-level beer garden complete with huts and covered seating areas.

The beer line-up offers a varied choice of well-known brands, independent brews, and cask ales. I opted for a Siren IPA from Wokingham brewers @sirencraftbrew ,my pint was excellent, though the price point was a tad high. The food menu combines pub classics with Mediterranean-inspired dishes; fish and chips is priced at £19.50, and roasts are available on Sundays.

We arrived at 1 pm on a warm, overcast Saturday lunchtime in August. The pub was fairly quiet, with a family enjoying lunch in the music room and a few small groups in the beer garden. The atmosphere was laid-back and relaxed, making it easy to settle in. The service was first-class: two friendly team members were on duty, both warm and welcoming. As it was a warm day, we chose one of the huts in the beer garden to enjoy our pints.

Lots of positives to report from this grand Victorian tavern. The architecture is a real showstopper, the interior is splendid, especially the music room. The beer choice will please most, there’s plenty of grub on offer, and you’ll be well looked after.

Follow @gnrtavern for updates.

📅 2nd August 2025

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The Great Northern Railway Tavern N8: Victorian Grandeur with Modern Touches

The Great Northern Railway Tavern (GNRT) in Hornsey (N8) is a pub steeped in history with a modern twist. Here's a breakdown to help you decide if it's the right spot for you:

Ambiance:

Victorian Grandeur: This Grade II listed building boasts stunning original features. Expect ornate ironwork, etched glass windows, leather banquettes, and a stained-glass skylight, transporting you back to a bygone era. Modern Touches: The refurbishment in 2017 blended the classic features with modern elements like plush moquette-upholstered seating and a blond-wood cabana in the beer garden. Reviews mention this addition might not perfectly match the overall aesthetic [Tripadvisor reviews]. Family-Friendly: The pub states it welcomes families, with highchairs available. However, the historical setting might be more suited for a relaxed drink with friends rather than a lively family outing.

Food and Drink:

Fuller's Beers: The GNRT is owned by Fuller's brewery, so expect a good selection of their beers on tap alongside guest ales. Reviews mention occasional inconsistency with beer quality [UseYourLocal review]. Pub Fare: The menu likely offers traditional pub fare, but reviews are scarce on the specifics and value for money.

Things to Consider:

Limited Online Information: Detailed information about the menu, current events, and atmosphere can be hard to find online. It might be best to call ahead or check their social media for updates. Potentially Pricey Food: Some reviews mention the food can be on the expensive side [Tripadvisor review].

Overall:

The Great Northern Railway Tavern offers a unique experience for those seeking a historic pub with a modern twist. The stunning Victorian features and Fuller's beers are a definite draw. However, limited online information, potentially pricey food, and a question mark over the atmosphere for families are factors to consider. Great old skool 👌 pub with lovely decor excellent staff and an eclectic clientèle family friendly highly...

Update 02/05/21 14:00 - weird service. Yes the beers are still excellent and staff are very friendly at first, until about 25 mins before your booking ends, at this point they would not stop badgering us, we had 1/3 and a 1/2 pint between us when barked at, and then right on the edge of when we were about to leave, we got offered another chance to order, we politely declined at which point another server came over and just bluntly shouted "WE NEED THE TABLE" (this is at around 13:50 btw and we were getting ready to leave for the train anyway.) Such a shame. I hope for a better experience next time. And as mentioned before the beer quality was top notch, the customer service let it all down.

(Previous review _ Oct 2020)

Approx 4 mins walk from Hornsey Station (National Rail - Great Northern)

Approx 10 mins walk from Turnpike Lane station (London Underground - Piccadilly Line)

We were greeted by welcoming friendly staff, I found the place on Untapp'd (a well known beer app this pub is verified on it which is a bonus) so already knew what I wanted but found a few more to try too

The beers were all very well kept and all tasted great, staff were attentive but not invasive so we felt very comfortable.

I was also given a taster to my table of a chocolate coffee stout which even though I had on my untapp'd 'wish list' well, after the taster knew I had to have it. So I did it was basically dessert stout perfection.

Very quick and efficient service, and for two of us, we feared the bill but it was surprisingly good value.

We were very impressed and I loved the fully restored Victorian railway company (Great Northern Railway - the old one not the one we have now) interior. The Christmas style lights added a welcome sense of warm, coziness and happiness in these almost depressing times.

Don't be fooled by its Fuller's badge, this place is a beer geeks heaven in Hornsey.

I hope to be back very soon and show my friends this pub.

I could spend all day here if the booking system would let me....