Hidden away from the bustling high street of Greenwich, you’ll find a charming community boozer that just might be the cosiest pub in the whole city. Walk along the Thames from the Cutty Sark and you’ll find it, just down the street from the water: the Pelton Arms. Head inside and you’ll immediately recognise that you’ve walked into a truly special pub.
Spread throughout the pub, you’ll find plush furnishings with not one but two fireplaces interspersed around the room. Outside is a delightful terraced garden, hidden away under awnings and canopies. But it’s inside where you’ll want to grab a pint and a perch and cosy up for hours.
The walls are adorned with vintage pub and beer ads and paraphernalia, and twinkling fairy lights hang from the ceiling. It almost resembles a movie set from a Hallmark Christmas film! Now, admittedly, the lights are largely due to the season (it’s Christmas time, folks), but the pub still boasts plenty of cosiness and hugely welcoming vibes year-round.
Food and drink at the Pelton Arms
Every good pub needs some delicious grub, and the Pelton Arms has cracked the code. They serve up locally beloved Neapolitan-style pizzas from Wandercrust as well as Latin-inspired street food from Afeugo. It doesn’t matter who you visit with, you’ll find something for any taste buds.
And those pizzas definitely shouldn’t be ignored. They’re arguably among the very best in the city – even if they’ve remained a protected secret among locals. The pies are chewy and charred to perfection, with a noticeable funk from their fermentation. Opt for the Margherita to find out just how delicious the dough is, or go ham on the American Psycho for a spicy, salty-sweet, meaty delight of a pie.
Image: @wandercrust_ldn, via IG
That’s not to say that Afuego’s offerings aren’t also delicious. Go big on spice with their Blow Your Head Off Chicken Burger, or tuck into their crispy fried cauliflower tacos. And don’t forget the Carnitas Loaded Fries, which top their Cajun fries with honey bbq sauce, chipotle aioli, slow-cooked pork, crispy onions, Peruvian pickled onions, and coriander. How’s that for a decadent so-called ‘side’ dish?
As if that wasn’t enough, Afuego also cooks up a mean Sunday Roast. Because every great pub needs an equally great Sunday Roast, right? You can choose from chicken, beef, Cajun-spiced roast cauliflower, and 8-hour slow-cooked pulled pork – with all the sides, obviously. You’ll be rolling your way home, or tucking yourself into the corner for a nap.
Image: @afuegoburger, via IG
Weekly events
Walk in on any given evening and you’ll likely find something happening. Families and friends fill the tables as they meet for a delicious pizza or some cracking Latin-inspired street food. Three nights a week, you’ll find the corner stage crowded by bands playing live music – ranging from rock tribute acts to blues jams, and more.
Oh, and did we mention the pub quiz(zes)? They don’t just have one pub quiz here. Instead, they host two a week: one traditional pub quiz and one Speed Quiz. So why not show up and see how you fare against the regulars?
In their own words, the Pelton Arms is “the best kept secret in Greenwich”. And we’re inclined to agree.
Find out what’s going on at the Pelton Arms here.