The Walmer Castle — Restaurant in London

🚇 Notting Hill Gate 🍺 £7.80 Stone & Wood IPA

The Walmer Castle sits just a stone’s throw from Portobello Road, tucked away in the backstreets of Notting Hill, West London. The nearest Tube is Notting Hill Gate.

Built in 1845, the pub takes its name from the famous Tudor castle in Kent, which became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports — a role once held by the first Duke of Wellington.

David Beckham and Guy Ritchie once owned the pub, and in 1975 it featured as a TV location in the classic Britcop drama The Sweeney.

Today, the pub is run by @wrenpubs_ who also operate The Surprise in Chelsea and The Carpenter’s Arms in Hammersmith.

This elegant one-bar pub has a stylish yet traditional feel. At its heart is an almost horseshoe-shaped servery with a copper-topped counter. The decor features a boarded floor, curtained entrance, traditional seating with comfy banquettes, period fireplaces, beautiful wall panels, and an eclectic mix of commissioned artworks. Upstairs are two private dining rooms in a similar refined style, and out front, a few benches await for the warmer months.

The beer selection is diverse, offering independent brews, familiar favourites, and a cask ale. I opted for a Stone & Wood IPA — a perfect pint, though at a premium price. The food menu features elevated pub classics using seasonal produce: fish and chips come in at £21.50, and hearty roasts are served on Sundays.

I arrived at 2pm on a warm, sunny Friday afternoon in September. The pub was fairly busy with a local crowd — most in for a beer, some for a late lunch. The atmosphere was convivial and laid-back; getting settled in was easy. Service was superb — welcoming, accommodating, and friendly.

From the inviting Victorian exterior and elegant interior to the top-notch brews and warm, welcoming atmos, this was a thoroughly enjoyable visit. A little pricey, yes — but go on, treat yourself. Definitely a must-visit if you’re in the area.

Follow @walmercastlenottinghill for updates.

📅 12th September 2025

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I recently visited Walmart Castle in West London for a birthday celebration, and unfortunately, it turned out to be a highly disappointing experience.

Firstly, the staff was exceptionally rude. We were given a table that was already reserved. After an hour, we were unceremoniously asked to move, disrupting our celebration. Instead of acknowledging their mistake, the staff inexplicably blamed us, refusing to provide a clear explanation. This lack of accountability and poor communication from the staff set a very negative tone for the evening.

Moreover, we were charged a fee for cutting a birthday cake we brought in, even though we had handed it to the staff to put in the fridge upon arrival. At no point were we informed about this fee, which felt like an unfair surprise and added to the overall dissatisfaction.

The food quality was very poor, with limited options on the menu. The prices were quite high, especially considering the substandard food and drinks. The pub was also overcrowded, making it uncomfortable and difficult to enjoy our time there.

Overall, Walmer Castle failed to meet even the most basic expectations of service and quality. I would not recommend this place for any special occasions, or even a casual visit, given the rudeness of the staff, hidden charges, and disappointing food. There are plenty of better options in West London where you can have a pleasant and...

Some pubs come and go. Others chase trends, reinvent themselves, lose their soul in the process. And then there’s The Walmer Castle—a Notting Hill institution, the kind of place that doesn’t need reinvention because it’s been getting it right for years. It’s not just a pub; it’s a fixture, a constant, the kind of spot that makes a neighborhood feel like home.

You walk in, and the world outside slows. The warm hum of conversation, the perfect pour of a Guinness, the easy familiarity between the staff and the regulars. It’s effortless. No pretense, no frills—just a place that knows exactly what it is and delivers every damn time.

The whisky selection? Elite. If you know, you know. If you don’t, they’ll walk you through it, no snobbery, no nonsense. The food? Far better than it has any right to be. Thoughtful, satisfying, the kind of fare that reminds you why proper pub food matters.

And the crowd? Exactly who you want in a place like this. Locals who’ve been coming for years, a few lucky wanderers who just found their new favorite pub, and a steady flow of people who actually appreciate a well-run, well-loved drinking establishment.

Walmer Castle isn’t trying to be a scene—it doesn’t have to. It’s the Notting Hill pub. An institution. If you haven’t been, you’ve made a...