The Hope, Carshalton

The Hope, Carshalton

Part of our Best Pubs in London microsite. Is your local listed?

One of the most important beer pubs in London is barely in London at all. Carshalton used to be Surrey, but now lies within the Borough of Sutton. Surrey's loss is the capital's gain, for this is a true treasure house for real ale fans.

The hope half pint front room

The Hope wins some kind of CAMRA award every year. As soon as you reach the bar, it's obvious why. Here's how they describe it:

With 7 Ale pumps (usually including Windsor & Eton, Knight of the Garter, Downton New Forest Ale, a Dark, a Strong and a Hoppy beer and usually served in lined pint and half glasses), 3 Real Ciders, 3 Keg fonts with craft beers (we also sell beer in thirds) 20+ different cans and a wide choice of foreign beers you won't be lacking choice when you reach the bar.

Beer tent at the hope

The choice was even wider on our visit, with a small beer festival taking place in the sizeable back yard. Indoors, punters will find a nook for every occasion, with little hideaway snugs, huge tables for larger parties, and a bright conservatory with plenty of room. The front bar area is the place to sit if you want to get chatting to the regulars.

conservatory at the hope
Conservatory

The Hope's story is as warming as a seat by their open fire. The place almost closed down in 2010, but a group of regular customers lobbied hard and eventually bought out the lease. It's literally ran by beer drinkers, for beer drinkers. The clientele is a mix of that local fanbase, and those who've travelled from afar from regions where the pub's fame precedes it. For the record, we sampled Bingham's woodsmoke porter, a Cannonball from Magic Rock Brewing and a Belgian coffee brown ale from Brodie's.

Images below this line are from a 2015 visit, and may not represent the current appearance. We leave them in for the sake of nostalgia.

Lots of middle aged men, all talking hops.
Lots of middle aged men, all talking hops.
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Not sure why we can't even take a non-blurry image of a bar billiards table. We blame the beer.
Not sure why we can't even take a non-blurry image of a bar billiards table. We blame the beer.
Some kind of odd tradition requires the mantlepiece Nelson to be covered.
Some kind of odd tradition requires the mantlepiece Nelson to be covered.
Just a few old favourites.
Just a few old favourites.
Looks like some kind of vehicular Play Your Cards Right going on.
Looks like some kind of vehicular Play Your Cards Right going on.

Address: 48 West Street Carshalton SM5 2PR

Phone: 020 8240 1255

Email:
[email protected]

Website:
http://hopecarshalton.co.uk/

Monday: noon-11pm

Tuesday: noon-11pm

Wednesday: noon-11pm

Thursday: noon-11pm

Friday: noon-11pm

Saturday: noon-11pm

Sunday: noon-10.30pm

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