A Lewisham pub ranked as one of London’s best is urging locals to continue to support businesses in the community.
First opening in 1866 in Forest Hill, Lewisham’s Blythe Hill Tavern has been part of the community for nearly 160 years.
Formerly this Grade II listed building began life as a coaching inn on the route from London to Brighton and was formerly known as The Blythe Hotel.
The pub features a three-room layout and distinctive t-shaped bar counters, which are parts of its original fit when it opened in the 1860s.
Alongside the historic interiors, the pub also features its popular beer garden, which is a summer highlight with live music events and pizza trucks, making it one of Lewisham’s most popular pubs to visit.
The pub has earned itself a number of accolades in recent years, including being named by Time Out as one of the top 50 pubs in London of 2025, along with ‘Best bar or nightlife economy business’ at the 2024 Mayor’s Business Awards.
Being described as part of a “community hub” by manager Terry, the pub hosts a full calendar of events from quiz nights and Irish music to sports screenings.
When it comes to food and drink, this CAMRA award-winning pub serves a frequently changing lineup of real ales and cask beers, with Guinness a particular favourite and often hailed as one of the best pints outside of Ireland.
On the food side, the pub regularly hosts the Van Dough pizza van, offering freshly made 10-inch pizzas at around £10, alongside a menu of hearty pub classics like fish and chips and burgers, along with nods to Irish characters like seafood chowder and crab cakes.
The pub recently appeared in Lewisham Council’s Discover Lewisham Summer Campaign, and manager Terry added that Lewisham’s “cross-section of people and “thriving” community is what helps the pub continue to thrive.
Terry, manager of the Blythe Hill Tavern, said: “It’s nice to win national awards or whatever. But I think on your own patch, it’s much more appreciated.
“We’ve had the same team here for a long time. We try to maintain our standards and keep it the same for everybody.
“Lewisham is changing – it’s becoming a real hub. There’s a cross-section of people here, especially in arts and crafts. It’s thriving.
“It’s a nice local community pub. We interact with the community – we’ve been doing it for years.”
