Churchill Arms

The Churchill Arms in Kensington, is one of London’s most famous and colourful public houses. The pub dates back as far as 1750, also making it one of the oldest pubs in London. It was originally called the ’Church-on-the-hill’, but the name changed to ’The Churchill Arms’ shortly after the end of the Second World War. Winston Churchill’s grandparents, the 7th Duke of Marlborough and Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane, were patrons of the pub and used to drink here in the 19th century. The Churchill Arms has earned a distinguished reputation, not only for its excellent beer and Thai food, but also for its award-winning flower basket displays. The quirky interior is a celebration of all things British, with a strong Winston Churchill theme and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The pub is now managed by Fuller’s, whose origins started when John Fuller invested in the Griffin Brewery in 1829. In 1845, John Fuller’s son partnered with Henry Smith and John Turner to form the current company. Today, Fuller’s is one of the UK’s leading hospitality chains, operating more than three-hundred pubs, inns and boutique hotels across the south of England. In years gone by, before the advent of large screen televisions and jukeboxes, London ‘Boozers’ (pubs) often enjoyed a ‘Sing-along’ (song) and a good old ’Knees-up’ (dance). One of the all time favourites was the sentimental love ballad 'Nellie-Dean'. Traditionally, everyone would gather around the piano, while the music played, the ale flowed, and songs were sung into the small hours of the morning.