The Five Best Notting Hill Pubs for a Post-Run Pint
Notting Hill isn’t just pastel townhouses, antique stalls, and the world’s most chaotic carnival weekend, it’s also a runner’s playground. Whether you’re pounding the pavements around Holland Park, weaving past Portobello Market, or looping around Kensington Gardens, there’s only one proper way to cool down afterwards: with a pint in a cracking local pub.
Here are five of the best watering holes in Notting Hill for when you’ve traded your running shoes for a well-earned pint.
The Prince Bonaparte
Known affectionately by locals as The Bonnie, this pub feels like your cool mate’s living room (if your mate had a talent for mixing stylish interiors with a laid-back vibe). Originally built in the Victorian era, it’s named after one of Napoleon’s nephews, though these days it’s more about craft beer and seasonal small plates than conquering Europe. After a run, it’s the perfect balance: plush enough for a treat, casual enough to stroll in wearing your trainers.
The Westbourne
Sitting pretty on a leafy corner, The Westbourne has all the hallmarks of a classic Notting Hill local: high ceilings, big windows, and a relaxed, buzzy atmosphere. Once a scruffy dive, it’s had a glow-up and is now one of the area’s favourite hangouts. The crowd is a mix of runners, dog walkers, and people who look like they’ve just walked out of a photoshoot. The beer garden makes it a dream for sunny-day cooldowns, and if you’re still feeling virtuous, the food menu has a healthy streak too.
The Churchill Arms
If Notting Hill had a crown jewel of pubs, this would be it. Built in 1750, The Churchill Arms is part pub, part horticultural wonder. Its façade bursts with thousands of flowers in summer, and inside you’ll find Churchill memorabilia alongside a thriving Thai restaurant. After a long run, grabbing a pint here is a London rite of passage. Just don’t blame us if you end up staying for pad thai, it counts as carb-loading, right?
The Ladbroke Arms
Hidden on a quiet residential street, The Ladbroke Arms is a Victorian charmer with ivy climbing up its whitewashed exterior. It’s a local favourite, especially for runners finishing loops around nearby Holland Park. Step inside and you’ll find a relaxed, almost country-pub feel, complete with hearty roasts and a stellar wine list if beer’s not your thing. On a warm day, the terrace is a post-run suntrap worth jogging that extra mile for.
The Sun in Splendour
Bright yellow and impossible to miss, The Sun in Splendour is the first pub you’ll see if you’re heading into Portobello Road. It’s been keeping Notting Hill locals refreshed since the 1850s and still serves up that old-school charm, albeit with a modern polish. Inside, it’s all wood panelling and cosy corners; outside, a leafy beer garden that makes you forget you’re minutes from the bustle of the market. After a run, it’s one of those pubs where one pint effortlessly turns into two.