The Freemasons Arms sits on Downshire Hill, a large pub a short walk from Hampstead Heath with a wide garden out front. In its basement is the last full-size London skittle alley in the capital, still run by a long-standing club.
Come for a garden pint near the Heath, a Sunday lunch, or the rare chance to watch London skittles. Skip it if you want something small and intimate, because this is a big, busy pub built for crowds.
The Freemasons Arms is in Hampstead, London.
Get Directions Ask Our TeamAbove ground it is a spacious pub and dining room with one of Hampstead's largest gardens, the draw on a warm day. Whatpub describes it as a skittle-alley-and-dining destination.
Down in the basement is the old English skittle alley, the only full-size one left in London, run by the London Skittles club. Londonist has long flagged it as one of the city's last links to the game.
The bar pours ales and a decent wine list, with pints around seven pounds, in line with Hampstead. The garden is the place to drink in summer.
The food runs to pub classics and a Sunday roast, with mains from about sixteen pounds. To see the skittles, ask about the club, which runs the basement alley on set evenings.
The crowd is Heath walkers, Hampstead families, and the skittles club, a broad mix that fills the garden on sunny weekends.
It runs busiest on warm afternoons and at Sunday lunch, when the garden and dining room are full. Winter weekdays are far quieter.
One of Hampstead's largest pub gardens.
The last full-size alley in the capital, downstairs.
This is a big, busy pub built for crowds.
More across the city in our best bars in London and best craft beer bars in London guides. Browse the London pubs, London Bar Guide, Hampstead bars, or find pubs near me.
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