Part of our Best Pubs in London microsite. See if we've included your local.
What to say about the Spaniards that hasn't been said before? It's one of the big old famous London pubs, noted for centuries, mentioned in any half-decent guidebook, and with an extensive Wikipedia entry. It's also one of the hardest London pubs to get to — perhaps a mile from the nearest tube (Hampstead or Golders Green), and reached via a pedestrian deathtrap if you don't notice the footpath behind the tollgate on the southern approach).
Once you've arrived, however, you won't want to leave, especially if you've slogged here on a cold winter's day. The smell and warmth of the log fire imbue a timeless magic on the main bar. Wonky wooden rooms on the upper floor are the dictionary definition of cosy. Chuck in one of the capital's biggest beer gardens, a claim to being one of the oldest inns (1585), links to Dick Turpin (his dad might have been the landlord), and at least three different ghost stories, and you soon start to realise that this is one London pub you absolutely have to visit.
Sadly, the pub has strayed into the gastro-first approach in recent years. While you're still welcome to pop in for a pint, you can no longer 'just sit anywhere', as was once the case, with large areas given over to dining. Still, marvellous place to settle down after a walk on the Heath.
