A large Hampstead pub on Downshire Hill near the Heath, home to the last full-size London skittle alley in the city, hidden in its basement.
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.
Above 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.
What to order
- 01
A pint in the front garden
- 02
A glass of wine with lunch
- 03
The Sunday roast
- 04
A look at the London skittles
