A much-loved micropub has just earned itself one of the shiniest accolades in the ale world, having been crowned the very best pub in (greater) London as part of CAMRA’s prestigious Pub of the Year competition.
The beer-buffs over at CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) have been pub-crawling their way across the country since 1988, scoping out the best places to sink a pint based on a whole host of factors. From atmosphere and ale quality to cleanliness and community, no beer mat or bar stool are left unturned. I mean, someone’s got to do it, hey?
As the 2026 edition of the coveted competition continues to heat up, the best boozer in each region of the UK has been decided. The finalists will now go head to head to be named the overall Pub of the Year in the coming months. But for now – before we get ahead of ourselves – we’re going to spend a few moments waxing lyrical about the teeny-tiny tavern that topped the London charts. And that, my friends, is The Cockpit.
CAMRA’s Greater London Pub of the Year 2026
Perched over in Chislehurst, this community-driven drinking den set up shop back in 2020 inside the premises of Roses Florist. The Cockpit is certainly no stranger to a bit of praise from CAMRA, having been a Greater London Pub of the Year runner up for the two previous years. The south London locale has earned itself a a reputation for serving up a regularly-rotating selection of cask ales and cider of the highest quality and condition.
Named after the nearby ancient cockpit, this beloved boozer is deceptively spacious and decked out with wooden beams, exposed brickwork, and plenty of places to plonk yourself down. In a bid to encourage conversation and connection, the pub supposedly enforces a £1 fine for the usage of phones or foul language. So if you mind your manners and leave your phone firmly in your pocket, you could use that extra cash to treat yourself to a bunch of blooms from the adjoining florist’s on your way home.
Upon being handed the win, The Cockpit took to Instagram and said: “Flabbersmacked we are. Absolutely gobberghasted. Honoured to be rubbing shoulders with such a resplendent arsenal of boozers, let alone to be recognised by CAMRA as top of the pubs for Greater London this year, proper mad. A sea spanning embrace to everyone that has supported us since opening 5 years ago, so many of you have invested a titanic amount of enthusiasm into what we love to do, makes every day a bloody joy.”
The best pubs in Greater London (according to CAMRA):
The Cockpit was selected from 12 regional winners as the Greater London Pub of the Year. The 11 other pubs in the running were:
- The Long Haul, Bexleyheath
- The Dark Horse, Croydon
- The Cock Tavern, Hackney
- The Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill
- The Antelope, Surbiton
- The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton
- The Mitre, Richmond
- The Hand & Marigold, Bermondsey
- The Trafalgar, Wimbledon
- The Bear, Paddington
- The Owl & The Pussycat, Northfields
📍You’ll find the Cockpit at 4 Royal Parade, BR7 6NR.
🚇 The nearest station is Chislehurst.
