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The Mayflower, Rotherhithe  fancyapint.com rated pub, rated4 pints - click for an explanation of our ratings

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location:

Rotherhithe

address:

117 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF

phone:

0871 258 6162*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

Rotherhithe railway station
(120m) - zone 2

Canada Water London Underground station
(450m) - zone 2

Bermondsey London Underground station
(840m) - zone 2

Surrey Quays London Underground station
(1Km) - zone 2

South Bermondsey railway station
(1.4Km)

how to find it:

Turn left out of the tube and then first left again down Railway Avenue. Look to your left and you'll see the pub just past the Brunel Engine House Museum.

click here for a larger map

picture of Mayflower
This is probably the most famous pub on the River and rightly so. The Mayflower is named after the ship that set sail from a nearby quay in 1620, bearing the Pilgrim Fathers to America. At the time there already was a pub on this site - the Shippe - which was rebuilt in the 18th century and renamed the Spread Eagle and Crown. The pub's current name is much more recent (1957) when it was renamed in honour of its historic associations after the pub was refurbished. Captain Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower, is buried in an unmarked grave in the church across the road - he died a shortly after his return from America, a little over a year after the Mayflower first sailed. And there's more - the Fighting Temeraire was broken up at the nearby Beatson's ship breaking yard and some of its timbers now constitute the communion table and chairs in the church. History aside, this pub would be on any pub aficionado's itinerary - it's a wonderful old place, exactly the image you conjure up when someone talks about a traditional English pub. With its oak beams, wooden panelling, real fires, a jetty outside to enjoy views of the river all accompanied by Greene King ales and decent pub grub, the Mayflower fits the picture perfectly. Of course, it is so well known that it's inevitably popular in high summer (with prices that match its popularity), but at quieter times, it's a tranquil place to enjoy a pint or two and soak in the historic atmosphere of the area.

reviewed:
18/07/2010
reviewed by pubdog

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

beer garden or outdoor seating available - click for explanationterrace
waterside location - click for explanationriverside terrace
quiz night - click for explanationquiz night Tuesday
separate restaurant - click for explanationseparate restaurant
dogs welcome - click for explanationdogs welcome

second opinion:

Have your say! - 2 comments on this pub - click to add your own comment
posted by rdolivaw - Saturday 6th March, 2010, 6:48pm
Excellent pub that serves excellent pints of Greene King. Being from New Orleans, I found it amusing to see a "Cajun chicken sandwich" and "New Orleans fillet of beef" on the menu. I have no idea what a "New Orleans fillet of beef" is...
posted by ha - Thursday 26th July, 2007, 12:46pm
Nice cosy pub and definitely a good find for a pint by the river. On the negative side the staff are a bit strange, but the biggest thing is the over-priced food. Okay if you like fish, but still very expensive.
... add your own comment
click to visit the randomness guidesRandomness - for an alternative point of view, see The Mayflower's review on the Randomness guide to London.