Built in 1585 as a tollgate on the Finchley boundary, The Spaniards has more than a few tales to tell. This characterful inn was named after the Spanish Ambassador to James I of England and rumour has it highwayman Dick Turpin was born there, whilst his father was landlord in the early 1700s.
Immortalised by Dickens in The Pickwick Papers, and allegedly the place in which Keats penned ‘Ode to a Nightingale’, The Spaniards has a romantic, nostalgic air and a feeling of time stood still. Boasting an open fire and many a cosy corner, its charming walled beer garden offers ample comfy seating, sheltered tables and barbecue facilities for the summer months, as well as patio heating for those cooler days. Perfect for laid-back afternoons, al-fresco dining or just a glass of something special on a sunny day.
Housed in a Grade II listed building, The Spaniards has been lovingly preserved, combining traditional wood-panelling and period features with gentle contemporary touches. Attracting a diverse clientele and fostering a relaxed atmosphere, this welcoming pub holds the spirit of the great British local close to its heart.
Perched on the edge of Hampstead Heath and oozing with history, just five minutes’ walk away from Hampstead Heath and well-connected to the rest of London by bus and tube, The Spaniards is a unique hidden gem of a pub, undoubtedly worth venturing off the beaten track to discover.