It is hard to capture the essence of what makes a pub truly great. Is it the landlord who has been manning the bar since the beginning of time (or at least, since the first time you visited), or the sticky table tops with their ale lacquer, or the crowd of locals who religiously materialise at every pub quiz? Or is it simply the quiet, stalwart presence of the boozer at the end of your road, a constant beacon of comfort? If Lydia Wood's delightful book is anything to go by, it is all of the above.
A Labour of Love
Rather than spending the free time she had while at art school in London twiddling her thumbs, Wood decided a better use of her time, and her skills, would be to set out on a quest to draw every pub in the capital. What began as an Instagram side hustle has blossomed into a major project, accruing 84,000 Instagram followers and this guide filled with her wonderful illustrations and insights - it really is the perfect window into some of the city's best pubs.
Historic Inns and Quirky Locals
Within her graphite depictions, Woods captures the character of each of her subjects. In the 'Ancient' section is London Bridge's The George - an old Grade I listed coaching inn owned by the National Trust, while 'Cats', unsurprisingly, is devoted to all the feline friends Woods meets on her travels. There is also the somewhat comical inclusion of the six 'Coach and Horses' which all reside in a 1.5 mile radius of each other, three of which are in Soho.
Notting Hill is home to The Churchill Arms, a pub which was apparently frequented by the Prime Minister's grandparents and it is the only pub to receive an award at Chelsea Flower Show. Any west Londoner will recognise the heavy flora adorning The Churchill Arms, and can you call yourself a rugby fan if, on looking at Wood's drawing, a favourite Faltering Fullback misadventure doesn't immediately spring to mind?
Community at Its Heart
At its heart this book is a record of the people who are proud of their local and find the heart of their community within its walls. Wood discovers that no matter how busy the road outside or close to the centre of town a pub might be, there will always be locals propping up the bar. This book is a labour of love, a catalogue of Wood's talent as an artist and a powerful reminder of the beauty of our boozers.
