The Hermits Cave — Restaurant in London

🚇 Denmark Hill 🍺 £6.00 Heineken

The Hermits Cave Is located close to Camberwell Green in Camberwell, South London. The nearest station is Denmark Hill.

This beautiful curved Edwardian pub was built in 1902, though records show that a beer retailer operated on this site as early as 1878. I love the architecture of this building and burgundy glazed tiles and etched glass windows.

The name “Hermits Cave” is thought to reference Saint Giles, a hermit who lived in a cave near Nîmes, France. Legend says he was wounded by an arrow meant for a doe that fed him, and he refused treatment to strengthen his spiritual devotion. Saint Giles later became the patron saint of the poor and disabled.

This is a good-sized traditional pub with two adjoining rooms. The servery is centrally located and adorned with all manner of bric-a-brac along the top of the gantry. The decor is traditional, featuring a colourful mix of wallpapers and mahogany woodwork. There is plenty of seating throughout, along with two stunning fireplaces topped with ornate mirrors, historic photos of Camberwell, and a huge wildebeest head mounted above one of the doorways. There also a few screens for live sport.

The beer selection is good, offering a mix of familiar keg favourites, an impressive cask line-up, and some no- and low-alcohol options. I opted for a Heineken—my pint was very agreeable, price point was average. This is a wet-led pub that doesn’t serve food.

I arrived at 1 p.m. on a warm and sunny Saturday lunchtime in May. The pub was quiet, with a chilled atmosphere and just one other punter in attendance. I was soon joined by fellow pub enthusiast @footballstickersinthewild and his good lady, and we had a nice catch-up over a pint. The service was great, the team member on duty was welcoming and courteous.

I really enjoyed visiting The Hermit’s Cave, especially the traditional pub décor, which was nice to see. The cask ale selection will please the cultured imbiber. This pub is a solid all-rounder and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

📅 17th May 2025

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Appalling attitude sells itself as a locals pub , but I have lived here 17 years and many locals are ostracised. Banned (for life ) for small things that have upset the management.The owners mostly don’t even work there any more, just income. They don’t care as long as they get the young crowds that spill out on the street and leave the place like a bomb site on busy nights. Used to go here all the time now not welcome at their pub opposite or here for their own personal reasons, not that I am a bad customer or have caused any issue. I am so disappointed every time I go past. Need updating and some investment but hey they own the super expensive craft place opposite ( the stormbird) so why should they care. I have now been unwelcome since 2020 and it’s tedious as if I feel to go there out of the blue a staff member comes out and says ‘no thanks’ , vendetta from the owner’s daughter camera feed. She doesn’t even work there. Not a local pub but great to mix with art students and hipsters who have read it’s the place to be. Sad as it was the heart centre..I don’t know of another ‘local’ pub that thinks they are better than the sum of the parts. Good luck and I knew the owner fairly well over 17 years.Be aware their dog policy is very stringent and unnecessary.As long as you are vanilla, don’t upset the management and spend you money you will be fine and can say you have been to a legendary pub of old, or go over the road and spend more at their other pub, the Stormbird. No...

Hi,

Today I was there waiting for a client. I choose this place as I know it is usually quiet which is the perfect eviroment for a meeting.

While waiting I did sit down on and I wad using my phone without ordering yet but niether using electricity or taking space from customers as the place was empty (check cctv)

While waiting the waiter asked me if I wanted something and if not not had leave immediatly?

I usually do not leave bad review as I do not think they are very helpful but I was shocked that someone just kicking me out for simply sitting in an empty pub.

Funny to think that the word Pub comes from Public House where guesses used to meet and be welcomed

I hope you retrain this "gentleman" as it is obvious a harm to...