As we brace ourselves for the winter months ahead, the quest for the ultimate cosy pub begins, and we’ve got some suggestions

1 

The Hand in Hand, Wimbledon

This Wimbledon haunt features low ceilings and fireplaces and is adorned with candles – ideal for a Sunday session. What’s more, The Hand in Hand’s proximity to the Common makes it a firm favourite among Sunday amblers, particularly those with canines in tow, with the pub winning doggy pub of south west London back in 2016. The pub staff feed friendly pets with goodies from the kitchen, and run Dog of the Day competitions which please both pets and owners.

2 

The Antelope, Tooting

This epic drinking den stretches and bends like a twisting maze with multiple bars and rooms. Two of its rooms offer visitors to the Tooting tavern open fires, and there is another wood fire in the games room, meaning there is a good chance you’ll be able to hunker down and find a spot on the hearth. Complementing the snug setting, the Antelope’s ceiling is adorned with twinkling fairy lights, and its wooden flooring is carpeted with homely Persian rugs.

3 

The Windmill, Clapham Common 

Nestled into the beautiful scenery of the common, The Windmill offers a restful, warmly-lit sanctuary for weary travellers. With a curated menu ranging from small plates of arancini to sharing boards of baked camenbert, the pub is an ideal spot to break for lunch amidst a brisk walk in the park. The bar serves a selection of delicious light and dark beers; the perfect boozy respite as the winter months approach.

4 

The Albion, Kingston

Come the colder seasons, the humble Albion comes into its own offering Kingstonians a much-needed dose of hygge. With its homely and intimate low ceilings, a dimly-lit bar that oozes ambiance, and the cosy leather armchairs perfect for sinking into, it’s an idyllic spot after a long day of scuffing shoes and kicking up autumn leaves. Opt for a spot by the fireplace and muse over the impressive selection of keg lines and craft ales on offer.

5 

The Grumpy Mole, Epsom

Low ceilings and soft seating are accompanied by shelves, paintings and cushions to lend a distinctly living-room-like vibe to the atmosphere of The Grumpy Mole. This is paired with a canopied outdoor seating area with round tables that feels distinctly intimate yet stylish. Their a la carte menu offers a whole range of treats, from steak and kidney pudding to a fragrant Sri Lankan chicken curry. They also provide a delightful afternoon tea package, with freshly-made finger sandwiches and toasted teacakes. Perfect for a cosy afternoon with family.

6 

The White Swan, Twickenham

Along the towpath from Richmond to Twickenham and almost equidistant between the two is the beckoning bar of the White Swan. The pub makes the most of its prime riverside location with a charming outdoor patio that seemingly floats on the Thames at high tide, but during the winter months its punters are enticed inside with its cosy front room and sensational Sunday roasts. Riverside walkers and mucky pups can dry off by the warmth of an open fire accompanied by a pint of Naked Ladies, a local favourite ale named after the frolicking marble statues of York House just a stone’s throw from the pub’s front door.

7 

The Mute Swan, Hampton Court 

Amble along the Thames loop from Hampton Court to Bushy Park and you’ll pass by The Mute Swan, a friendly pub with a curved bar and spiral staircase making for an open and welcoming interior. The Mute Swan is virtually on the doorsteps of the royal palace and visitors are reminded of the area’s heritage with spectacular views overlooking the historical bend in the Thames. Come winter time and the views transform with the seasons, as the original Tudor section of the famous palace looks particularly wintry and whimsical shrouded in mist or a smattering of snow.

8 

The Colton Arms, Fulham

An intimate little pub tucked away in the backstreets of Fulham, the pint-sized and unassuming Colton Arms is the type of establishment where you can easily while away an autumnal afternoon cosied up in a snug next to the open fire. Its front room leads round the back where you can take a seat in the plush and cosy restaurant and muse over the menu which includes an array of great British foodie feasts, from wood pigeon with chestnut and whole sharing roasts.

9 

The Angler’s, Teddington

The Anglers is a prime spot in the summer with its vast garden, but come winter, it is just as compelling for those on a wintry walk along the river. There’s open fires and great beers on tap. Tuck into fish and chips or a great burger.

10 

The Sun Inn, Barnes

With a homely farmhouse exterior and a gorgeous riverside location, The Sun Inn generates a charming, village-like atmosphere. The dark wood-panelled rooms call back to days of old, where one can imagine farmers coming in to enjoy a pint accompanied by warm light and a roaring fire. Their menu offers delicious, warming food like wild boar and pork sausages and a chicken, smoked ham hock and leek pie, as well as daily seasonal specials prepared by their chefs. Of course, no pub is truly complete without a Sunday roast menu, and The Sun Inn delivers in style: choices of aged sirloin of beef, half-roast chicken, nut roast, and pork belly ensure there’s something for everyone.