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Stooping ceilings, creaking floors, solid wooden panelling, beams and small interconnecting rooms combine to make The Flask Tavern, a 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. The name, for instance, comes from the time when the local Hampstead springs would draw visitors to the pub where the foul tasting waters were sold by the flask. Social commentator, painter and satirist, William Hogarth was often found to be drinking in the pubs charms. And legend has it that Highwayman Dick Turpin avoided capture by secreting himself away in the pubs cellars. 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.
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Alternative
Pubs Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Nightlife |
| The Spaniards Inn |
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Spaniards Road,
NW3
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24 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| Ideal for alcoholic refreshment after a weekend tramp on Hampstead Heath, this notorious pub dates back to 1585 and is doused in history. The roguish ...More...
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| London Nightlife |
| The Junction Tavern |
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101
Fortess Road,
NW5
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27 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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Local
Nightlife Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Nightlife |
| Boogaloo |
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312
Archway Road,
N6
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12 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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| London Nightlife |
| All Bar One |
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1
Hampstead Lane,
N6
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2 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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Local
Hotels Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Hotels |
| Express By Holiday Inn London Swiss Cottage |
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152-156
Finchley Road
London,
NW3
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2 miles distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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| London Hotels |
| Dawson House Hotel |
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72
Canfield Gardens,
South Hampstead,
NW6
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2.37 miles distance from The Flask Tavern
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| Located in one of the most desirable neighbourhoods, Dawson House Hotel certainly lives up to the exclusivity of its local area Hampstead. Located in ...More...
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Local
Event Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Event |
| Cinderella |
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Jacksons Lane Theatre,
269a
Archway Road,
N6
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12 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| For Generation Z, reality television is like Neighbours was to Generation Y, but that doesn't mean we think the Fairy Godmother should hang out in ...More...
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| London Event |
| Plum Pudding Plunge |
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Parliament Hill Lido,
Gordon House Road,
NW5
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21 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| It's one of those crazy British Christmas traditions that no one can quite fathom: every year, swimmers around the UK take a festive plunge in ...More...
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Highgate Cemetery |
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Swain's Lane,
N6
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4 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| London International Gallery of Children's Art |
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Waterlow Park Centre,
Dartmouth Park Hill,
N19
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9 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| This fascinating gallery displays exhibitions of children's art from every corner of the world, including artwork by local youngsters. Moving from their original home, a ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Shopping |
| Fisher & Sperr |
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46
Highgate High Street,
N6
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3 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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| London Shopping |
| Wine of Course |
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216
Archway Road,
N6
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11 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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Local
Restaurants Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Restaurants |
| The Bull |
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13
North Hill,
N6
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8 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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| London Restaurants |
| Strada |
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4
South Grove,
N6
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2 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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Local
Leisure Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Leisure |
| Waterlow Park |
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Dartmouth Park Hill,
N19
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9 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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| London Leisure |
| Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds |
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Hampstead Heath,
NW5
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14 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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Local
Pubs Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Pubs |
| The Settle Inn |
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17
Archway Road,
N19
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14 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| 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...
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Local
Business Near The Flask Tavern |
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| London Business |
| Lauderdale House |
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Highgate Hill,
Waterlow Park,
N6
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7 minutes distance from The Flask Tavern
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| ...More...
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