The Mayflower Pub

Restaurant | London | England | United Kingdom

Historic pubs in London

The "Mayflower Pub" in London is a traditional establishment that is considered a hidden gem in the Rotherhithe district, offering a special mix of history, coziness, and culinary delights. It is often referred to as one of the oldest pubs on the banks of the Thames and attracts visitors not only for its historical charm, but also for its picturesque location that provides a direct view of the river. The pub is closely connected to the history of the famous ship "Mayflower", which set sail for the New World from here in 1620. The connection to the Pilgrim Fathers' journey is kept alive inside the pub through numerous details such as the passenger list or a guestbook for descendants of the Mayflower passengers.

Best British cuisine Rotherhithe

The building itself exudes the typical charm of a traditional English pub: dark wooden beams, low ceilings, and an open fireplace create an inviting, almost timeless atmosphere. Particularly notable is the outdoor terrace - a wooden platform that extends over the Thames and offers a breathtaking view of the river and the city skyline. Here, one can enjoy the sunset and feel like part of maritime history at the same time. The proximity to the original mooring point of the Mayflower further enhances this experience.

Pubs with Thames view

Culinary-wise, the Mayflower Pub values classic British cuisine with fresh, local ingredients. Highlights include the "Sunday Roast", a traditional Sunday dish offered in a particularly tasty version - both with meat and in a vegetarian version that even skeptics are convinced by. Another staple is the "Fish and Chips", often praised as one of the best in London: crispy fried fish with perfectly golden fries. The "Steak and Ale Pie", a hearty pie with tender beef and rich beer sauce, is also a dish that consistently delights guests. The dishes are complemented by an extensive drinks menu, which includes well-kept traditional ales, a selection of craft beers, local gins, and a carefully curated wine list.

Traditional pubs in England

The pub offers different areas for different needs: the ground floor has the lively atmosphere of a classic pub, while the upper floor houses a quieter restaurant with candlelight and views of the Thames. This area is especially suitable for private celebrations or a relaxed meal. A curious detail is that the Mayflower is the only pub in England that sells stamps - a tradition that dates back to the 19th century and now surprises tourists.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
117 Rotherhithe St
SE16 4NF London

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday12:00 - 22:00
Monday12:00 - 23:00
Tuesday12:00 - 23:00
Wednesday12:00 - 23:00
Thursday12:00 - 23:00
Friday12:00 - 23:00
Saturday12:00 - 23:00

Reviews

5035 Reviews

Christopher Griffiths
08.03.2025

Great views of the Thames, great ale
Samara
07.03.2025

Really gorgeous traditional British pub with a garden right over the river, the interior is just ad gorgeous as the view. Staff were awesome, friendly, attentive and kind. Would recommend this as a good spot for a cosy date.
Arron English
06.03.2025

Absolutely stunning pub with amazing food and amazing pints.
Chris Johnson
06.03.2025

Excellent ales, friendly.
Vita Sorrenti
05.03.2025

Pub autentico con ottimo cibo e atmosfera. Se si vuole un posto diverso dai classici pub situati nel centro di Londra questo è perfetto.
David Willetts
03.03.2025

Fab traditional pub with a lovely outdoor seating area which sits right on the river Thames! Highly recommended
Nahuel Aguilar
01.03.2025

Amazing food! Seats are not very elder friendly.
sammy B
01.03.2025

Love going to this little gem in Rotherhithe! Amazing Sunday roast too
Lisa S
27.02.2025

We stopped here during the week for lunch in February. It has charm, great food, and a wonderful server who has the perfect kind of attitude. I would definitely recommend this pub and would return if I visit London again. I had the calamari (4 out of 5), the soup of the day was Lentil soup (4 out of 5), and my husband loved the bangers and mash (5 out of 5). The beer was cold, the wine was tasty, and the sun was shining. (10 out of 5) 😁 There is a porch out back that overlooks the Thames and has seating outside; I bet it’s great on a beautiful day.
Alison Thomson
23.02.2025

We were out walking and stumbled across this super, very old pub, just overflowing with history. Open fire, G&T's, just what we needed. We did not eat, but the fish and chips looked amazing
ANDREW INGRAM
22.02.2025

Great food lovely atmosphere
Chris Hubbard
22.02.2025

A well known pub but doesn’t disappoint. Nice and friendly service. Good range of beer and a great atmosphere.
dave chamberlain
07.12.2019

You can imagine the pilgrims sitting here for a pint before they set off for the new world... great setting for a pint after long walk...
Azmi Samdjaga
17.02.2025

This is place to be if you're looking for a place to chill and experience a real English pub. What sealed the deal for me was the glorious food. The coconut curry mussels are to die for! It could easily be the best I've tried in my life! Friends ordered the fish and chips and the grilled cod were just as amazing! The service was impeccable! The seating space was a little tight but hey, you feel better connection with the people!
JB
17.02.2025

This pub is steeped in history and has incredible charm, less can be said about some of the staff who I’d put on the mayflower 2 and hope it sinks. Don’t add 12.5% service charge, it’s a working class pub in South London, don’t be American, ya wankers
Atiye Aydın
16.02.2025

We were very pleased to be at Mayflower with my daughters. Giovanni’s service was amazing Thank you Tia Aydın
ana figueiredo
14.02.2025

Gorgeous place. Lovely views of the River Thames. Friendly staff.

 

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