Layover at London Gatwick

I think there's a Wetherspoons in the station if there's nothing nearby. That will have a load of English ales on cask and cheap but half decent food. The lower quality end of the London experience but still should have some fairly decent beer.

 

For purely good beer, walk 10 minutes to the Cask Pub and Kitchen in Pimlico. One of the best beer spots in London. Can't speak for the food though.

 

There's a good looking Sam Smiths pub about ten minutes walk away, now called the Windsor Castle.
I have vague memories of visiting that pub years ago with my cousins

Other than that I have no idea as I've not been to london for ages

You could have a look at the place map on the other beer rating website, it could give you some more pointers

 

The Weatherspoons at Victoria Station is quite small and it's also the most expensive one I've ever been in. However, there is a much bigger Spoons pub called the Willow Walk just across the road from the station. You should get a decent pint there.

 

The Wetherspoons on the upper concourse of Victoria (it doesn't have a name, incidentally) has about 12 cask ales on. (This may be an 'expensive' Wetherspoons, but it will still be cheaper than most other pubs in London.) I've never eaten at a Spoonies, but the food looks decent and is very inexpensive.

Willow Walk has the same number of casks (will be some different beers) and the same food. It is just to the east of Victoria Station.

Cask Pub and Kitchen, as stated, is one of the best pubs in London and definitely worth the 10-minute walk if you can spare the time. They have a phenomenal range of beers across cask, keg and bottle. They do burgers, which are very good. On Sundays they also do a traditional roast.

Given your schedule, I reckon you could get at least two hours in at Cask Pub and Kitchen - certainly enough time for a few beers and a meal.

There's really not much else in the Victoria area (I work in the neighbourhood, and the three pubs I listed above are the only ones I ever visit).

 

Just to add, seeing as it's a Sunday, make sure you check the TFL website as they often to various works on different parts of the tube system at weekends. This normally just means using a different route to get somewhere but it's best to be prepared.

 

Beer is cheaper in the Willow Walk though.

 

Don't think tubes would be necessary if you're coming from Gatwick and staying in the Victoria area - you'd just take the Gatwick Express and then walk from the station. So, just make sure the Gatwick Express is running as usual (it doesn't get interrupted very often).

 

Yes. Wetherspoons takes all cards (including Amex), while Cask Pub and Kitchen accepts all major cards except Amex.

 

Oh yeah that's right, it's Heathrow that's on the Piccadilly Line.

 

There's a Wetherspoons airside at Gatwick, too. Pretty handy for a last minute pint.

 

Also worth mentioning, in case cost is a consideration, that the Gatwick Express costs around £30 return ($45).

 

You could go the other direction to Brighton. Just as close. And more Harveys.

 

Not a bad idea

Is there anywhere closer to Gatwick that would do, like a short taxi drive away? Might make things a bit easier regarding the short time available

Not that I've ever heard of Crawley being a good beer destination, but you never know

 

Redhill might not be a bad call ? One stop on the train from the airport. Haven't been there myself for many years but the Garland, Hatch and Jolly Brickmakers are all mentioned in the Good Beer Guide :

https://www.harveys.org.uk/pubs/the-garland/
http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/redhill/hatch
http://www.jollybrickmakers.co.uk/

 

I was in East Grinstead, which is a taxi ride away, earlier this year. Can't say I'd recommend it as a beer destination.

 

Hello - I'll have a 2+ hour layover at Gatwick, can anyone recommend a good spot for breakfast and a decent selection of real ale? I see above there is a Wetherspoons, is that the best bet? Thank you.