Once the heart of their communities, these pubs now live on only in the memories of locals.
Across the UK, over 400 pubs closed last year, with London experiencing the highest number of closures.
Of the 412 nationwide, 55 were in the capital.
Despite this, London still boasts 3,470 pubs, keeping its rich pub culture alive.
A new book, London’s Lost Pubs by Sam Cullen (£20, Pen and Sword), delves into the stories of over 200 pubs that have vanished in recent decades.
Drawing from online reviews and pub guides dating back to the 1920s, Cullen brings these forgotten establishments back to life.
Cullen, whose favourite lost pubs include the Zeitgeist in Lambeth and Sun and Dove in Camberwell, said: “As much as it’s sad that these pubs don’t exist anymore, I wanted to make sure they are not lost to time by telling their stories, their history, and some of the quirky characters who drank in them.
“Pubs can tell you so much about social and cultural history.
“The book is a celebration of pubs that existed as a vehicle for looking at aspects of London life.
“My criteria for inclusion was that they closed within the past twenty-five years, and there was an interesting story to tell.”
Lost Pubs by Sam Cullen will be published by Pen and Sword Books on January 31.
Here is a look at some of the most memorable lost pubs from Sutton which feature in the new book.
The Woodstock – 1 Stonecot Hill
With a name like “The Woodstock,” it’s fitting that this former pub’s most notable claim to fame came from hosting a legendary band early in their career.
The Woodstock opened in 1936 on the site of a manor house of the same name.
They reused the decorated tiles from the manor house to adorn the ceiling of the pub’s ‘Victoriana Lounge,’ which was described by CAMRA as a spacious, 1930s-style roadhouse pub.
By the 1960s, the pub had become a hub for live music, with the Rolling Stones performing there on October 5, 1962, just months after the band formed.
The Woodstock continued to host live music events well into the 2000s.
However, in 2014, Sutton Council granted planning permission for there to be an Asda on the site, and in January 2015, the pub had been demolished.
The St Helier Arms – 299 Middleton Road
While The Woodstock was popular and beloved, the St Helier Arms wasn’t as well-received.
The pub gained notoriety for its violent reputation, earning the title of one of Britain’s roughest pubs in 1994, according to The Independent.
Opening in 1937, it was originally built to serve the new St Helier estate, with a tearoom promoting sober socialising.
However, by the 1970s, the pub had become a hotspot for trouble, with violent incidents escalating through the years.
In 1992, a murder involving a bouncer shocked the community, and by 1994, the pub’s license was revoked after more violence.
It was demolished in 1996, and locals were largely unfazed, suggesting a police station would be a better replacement.
