The Churchill Arms

The Churchill Arms stands at 119 Kensington Church Street, midway between Notting Hill Gate and Kensington High Street stations. Fuller's has run the pub since the building went up in 1750, and Winston Churchill's grandparents drank here, which gave the pub its name after the Second World War.

The exterior carries the most photographed floral display in London, a hanging garden Secret London values at about 25,000 pounds a year. Each December the flowers give way to nearly 100 fir trees and thousands of lights, per Atlas Obscura.

Anyone who wants cask London Pride, Churchill memorabilia, and a 12 pound pad thai in a glasshouse will leave happy. Anyone after quiet local drinking should come on a weekday afternoon, because the front bar fills with cameras by early evening.

Churchill memorabilia, brass, and butterflies crowd every ceiling beam, and the back conservatory doubles as the Thai dining room under a canopy of plants. Atlas Obscura counts it among London's most recognisable pubs, and the room earns the claim.

Fuller's London Pride at about 6 pounds a pint anchors the handpulls, with ESB and seasonal casks beside it. The Thai Kitchen has served the back room since 1988, and mains run 10 to 13 pounds. Order the pad thai, take the conservatory, and skip Friday nights if you want a seat.

Planning a longer night? Start with our guide to the best craft beer and ale bars in London and build the crawl from there.

Kensington locals hold the front bar at lunchtime, and tourists photograph the flowers from 5pm onward. Tripadvisor reviewers repeat the same line: come for the front, stay for the Thai food and the ale.