The Flask
77 Highgate West Hill, Camden,  London,  N6 6BU
Telephone: 020 8348 7346
 
Location Map of The Flask
 
18th century pub with village location and rustic atmosphere.

Stooping ceilings, creaking floors, solid wooden panelling, beams and small interconnecting rooms combine to make this traditional 18th century English pub among the most attractive London has to offer. One of the villages lost to London’s urban sprawl, Highgate has still managed to retain a modicum of rustic charm, community atmosphere and this fine local hostelry – one of the village’s original buildings and a treasure trove of history. Legend has it that Highwayman Dick Turpin avoided capture by secreting himself away in the pub’s cellars, while social commentator, painter and satirist, William Hogarth was often found to be drinking in the pub’s charms. It might not be as wholly olde worlde as it once was – sturdy wooden tables and chairs have given way to low tables and leather sofas – but it still has a powerful traditional air about it. When the sun shines, the heated beer garden is illuminated with strings of fairy lights and filled up with the smell of a resident barbeque. Perched next to the local church and what remains of a village green, it’s easy to forget you’re only a few miles from central London. The food is ok – the menu has a tasty gastro stab at all the time-honoured classics – and service can be a bit slow due to the pub’s increasing popularity, but the venue and atmosphere more than make up for this. Besides, slow, steady service is more in keeping with the pub’s traditional, rustic approach to life. It’s a bit of a walk from Highgate Tube but the views over London from this hilltop enclave are spectacular.

Best for:
Wood panelling and beams, fairylights and village green, Hogarth and Turpin.

Did you know?
The Flask gets its name from the tradition enacted by streams of visitors to the local Hampstead springs who would stop at the pub to buy a flask to transport the waters home.
 
Visiting The Flask
 
 
Opening Times
Open from 11:00 to 23:00, Monday to Saturday. From 12:00 to 22:30 on Sunday
 
Ticket Prices
None available
 
Travel
 
Underground Stations
Highgate Tube (12 minutes)
Archway Tube (18 minutes)
Railway Stations
Upper Holloway Railway Station (24 minutes)
Hampstead Heath Railway Station (28 minutes)
 
 
 
Alternative Pubs Near The Flask
 
 
London Nightlife
The Spaniards Inn
Spaniards Road, Barnet,  London,  NW3
24 minutes distance from The Flask
Ideal for alcoholic refreshment after a weekend tramp on Hampstead Heath, this notorious pub dates back to 1585 and is doused in history. The ...More...
 
London Nightlife
The Junction Tavern
101 Fortess Road, Camden,  London,  NW5
27 minutes distance from The Flask
Having been voted North London pub of the Year 2008 by CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale for those of you who don't know ...More...
 
 
Local Nightlife Near The Flask
 
 
London Nightlife
Boogaloo
312 Archway Road, Haringey,  London,  N6
12 minutes distance from The Flask
The Boogaloo has succeeded in breaking the all pervasive contemporary pub blueprint, fashioning a popular alternative with a great atmosphere - and not an inch ...More...
 
London Nightlife
All Bar One
1 Hampstead Lane, Haringey,  London,  N6
2 minutes distance from The Flask
Bright airy chain bars with a good range of beer, wine and spirits offering reasonable gastropub style food. Comfortable, with plenty of tables, leather sofas, ...More...
 
 
Local Hotels Near The Flask
 
 
London Hotels
Express By Holiday Inn London Swiss Cottage
152-156 Finchley Road London, Camden,  London,  NW3
2 miles distance from The Flask
Swiss Cottage is an ideal place to stay if you want a peaceful spot that's still close to the centre of town. With attractions like ...More...
 
London Hotels
Holiday Inn Camden Lock
30 Jamestown Road London, Camden,  London,  NW1
2.09 miles distance from The Flask
Housed in an exciting modernist 'white box' building, and with some of London's maddest and most entertaining shopping and nightlife on the doorstep, the Holiday ...More...
 
 
Local Event Near The Flask
 
 
London Event
Kenwood House Picnic Concerts: Rufus Wainwright
Kenwood House,  Hampstead Heath, Camden,  London,  NW37JR
17 minutes distance from The Flask
Kenwood House is a magnificent stately home on Hampstead Heath, with its own lake and a captivating view of the park and the city beyond. ...More...
 
London Event
Holloway Arts Festival 2008
Whittington Park,  Holloway Road, Upper Holloway, Islington,  London,  N19
26 minutes distance from The Flask
The Holloway Arts Festival sees music, dance, comedy, literature, film and arts performed and discussed over three weeks in North London this summer. One part ...More...
 
 
Local Sights and Attractions Near The Flask
 
 
London Sights and Attractions
Highgate Cemetery
Swain's Lane, Camden,  London,  N6
4 minutes distance from The Flask
Wild woodland Victorian cemetery. Perched at the top of the winding and woody Swain’s Lane, close to Highgate village with its soaring views over the city, ...More...
 
London Sights and Attractions
Lauderdale House
Waterlow Park,  Highgate Hill, Haringey,  London,  N6
7 minutes distance from The Flask
Built in 1582, Lauderdale House is an arts and education centre based in the beautiful Waterlow Park. An extensive programme of performances, workshops, outreach projects ...More...
 
 
Local Shopping Near The Flask
 
 
London Shopping
Fisher & Sperr
46 Highgate High Street, Haringey,  London,  N6
3 minutes distance from The Flask
An old second-hand bookshop to delight the enthusiast. One room is turned over entirely to titles on London. History, ancient and modern, literature, travel and ...More...
 
London Shopping
Wine of Course
216 Archway Road, Haringey,  London,  N6
11 minutes distance from The Flask
This shop features a wide selection of high quality wines from around the world. They use a unique way of listing the wines by purpose ...More...
 
 
Local Dining Near The Flask
 
 
London Dining
The Bull Public House
13 North Hill, Haringey,  London,  N6
8 minutes distance from The Flask
Out of Highgate Village and down the hill from London's highest point, the Bull sits on the western side of North Hill next to white ...More...
 
London Dining
Strada
4 South Grove, Haringey,  London,  N6
2 minutes distance from The Flask
Strada has started something of a pizza revolution and knocked Pizza Express off its perch (as well as, more regrettably, being the final nail in ...More...
 
 
Local Leisure Near The Flask
 
 
London Leisure
Waterlow Park
Dartmouth Park Hill, Islington,  London,  N19
9 minutes distance from The Flask
One of our favourites, this beautiful park occupies a dramatic sloping site overlooking the city and was given to Londoners by Sir Sidney Waterlow as ...More...
 
London Leisure
Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
Hampstead Heath, Camden,  London,  NW5
14 minutes distance from The Flask
Since as early as 1860, and probably before, many hardy London folk have taken a dip before work in one of three wooded ponds on ...More...
 
 
Local Pubs Near The Flask
 
 
London Pubs
The Settle Inn
17 Archway Road, Islington,  London,  N19
14 minutes distance from The Flask
A pub that's unsure of its identity can be truly awful, but the invitingly named Settle Inn is a hotchpotch of English, Thai, traditional and ...More...
 
 
Local Business Near The Flask
 
 
London Business
Lauderdale House
Highgate Hill,  Waterlow Park, Haringey,  London,  N6
7 minutes distance from The Flask
...More...