2 days ago
I've discovered a unique pub with a real beach in central London – we sipped wine with our feet in the sand
LIVING in central London can sometimes make you feel boxed-in - like there is no escape of either countryside or sea.
And whilst this is one of the sacrifices you have to make when you live in the city, wouldn't it be ideal to find a spot in the city that gives you the feel of being by the sea?
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Well, after five years of living in the capital - I have finally found that spot.
Between the Tate Modern and London Blackfriars Station, the Founder's Arms on the River Thames seems like an ordinary Fuller's pub.
But when the sun is shining and the tide washes out, directly beneath the pub a sandy beach emerges.
Now, I know you might be thinking that the Thames just has mud and probably an old tire.
But when I say beach, I mean it - golden sand and all.
Myself and fellow travel reporter, Alice Penwill grabbed a glass of wine and headed down to the beach.
A medium glass of white cost me just over £7 - and for a lunchtime tipple, I would say it was a generous medium.
The sitting in the beaming sunshine, watching a couple boats whizz by, Alice and I did feel like we were somewhere else.
Whilst the water obviously doesn't looking inviting, we were sat on a beach in the city, with wine - all during our lunch break.
Not many Londoners can say they have popped to the beach during the working day.
Pub With A 'Floating' Beer Garden By The Beach
The beach was also surprisingly clean, with only a few stones scattered across.
A couple nearby visitors were investigating the beach - presumably mud-larking for treasures.
But the most noticeable difference compare to the seaside on the coast? No screaming gulls.
Despite not having an ice cream in my hand, I felt confident that if I did have one, it wouldn't have been snatched by an over-confident bird.
The pub itself also has a nice seating area outside, that overlooks the Thames and across to St Paul's cathedral.
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If the weather does take a turn for the worse, like it often does in the UK, there is also a bar inside and plenty of seating that looked comfy and cosy.
Pooches are also welcome in the pub, thankfully.
Make sure to head to to check when the tide is out, to ensure you get to enjoy the beach on your visit.
In the mean time, there is another London pub that has a secret beach behind it.
Plus, the E nglish pub where the beer garden is on the beach that people say feels 'more like Miami'.
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