The Harp

The Harp is a traditional British ale house on Chandos Place, a narrow, single-room pub built around good beer and conversation rather than food or screens. It was CAMRA's National Pub of the Year in 2010 and the Evening Standard has placed it among the top five pubs to visit in London, a rare standing for a room of its size.

The pub is run by Fuller's and is well known for its traditional ciders and perries, drawn from producers all around the country, which sit alongside a cask range that changes regularly. There is no kitchen on site, so the focus stays on what is in the glass, although external catering can be arranged for private events. It describes itself as a blissfully traditional place, and the description holds.

A real ale pub in Covent Garden that keeps things simple

The well-stocked bar runs from modern craft beers through to cask classics, with the ciders and perries giving it a range that few central London pubs can match. The Harp does not take table bookings and works on walk-ins only, which suits its unfussy character, although a private room upstairs can be booked for up to 40 people standing. Dogs are welcome, free WiFi is available and the pub describes itself as a historic pub, with a 360-degree tour online for anyone who wants a look first.

What to expect on a visit

Expect a busy bar at the end of the working day, with drinkers spilling onto the pavement outside in warmer months. Chandos Place sits between Trafalgar Square and the market, so Charing Cross station and the West End theatres are a short walk in either direction. The Sunday close at 8pm is earlier than most of its neighbours. Browse more Covent Garden pubs, or walk ten minutes to Lamb & Flag, the Fuller's sister house on Rose Street, for a second cask ale stop on the same afternoon.