The Spaniard’s Inn, “the Spanish tavern” in London, is undoubtedly one of our favorite pubs in the city, and one of the favorites of many Londoners. If you have read the recommendations for eating on the blog, you will have seen that I mention this pub several times, so here I will tell you why…
It is a pub with history and legend, built in 1585 on top of Hampstead Heath . It is the pub that is situated on the highest point in London, and when it was built, Windsor Castle could be seen from its beer garden . It was built as an inn marking the entrance to the bishopric of London, and the small building opposite the pub controlled entry and collected customs fees to enter the Finchley area.
The inn today is known as the posada or tavern of the Spanish, and there are two theories for this name, as it was converted into the country house of a Spanish ambassador, but years later it belonged to two Spanish brothers. Legend has it that these two brothers dueled over a woman and that one of them died during the duel… and it is said that his spirit is still wandering through the Spaniard’s Inn and that there are people who still see him…
It also has a literary history, as it has been mentioned in Charles Dickens’s “The Pickwick Papers”, in Bram Stocker’s “Dracula” and Keats wrote his “Ode to Nightingale” in the fantastic garden of this pub.
The Spaniard’s Inn impresses with its decor, authentic low wooden beams, dark paneling and all this gives the feel of an authentic country pub. It is very popular with Londoners, and dogs that come from walking around Hampstead Heath are welcome there, offering bowls to give them water, and dog biscuits, so it is not uncommon to find several dogs inside the pub while their owners have a pint. Oh… and in the parking lot they have a place to bathe the dogs!
The beer garden is one of the most beautiful gardens I have seen in a pub, with trees, a multitude of plants and large tables that make the beer garden a perfect place to go on a summer day. Of course, when the weather is good, I advise you to book or be prepared to wait as it usually fills up…
And… I have to say that the food is delicious. Authentic British pub food, but with a twist. Yes, a bit expensive.