The Freemasons Arms
Camden
The Freemasons Arms is a Hampstead pub that treats food seriously and hosts the kind of nights that pull a real crowd. Skittles tournaments, quizzes, the sort of thing people book weeks ahead. You come for a meal and find yourself drawn into what's happening elsewhere in the room. Hampstead draws all types: locals who've been coming for years, people making the journey specifically for what's on. It's unpretentious-but-proper, doing its thing for a while without needing to announce it.
££ · Pub
Contact
- Website Visit site ↗
- Address 32 Downshire Hill, London NW3 1NT
Upcoming at The Freemasons Arms
About The Freemasons Arms
The Freemasons Arms stands on Downshire Hill, one of Hampstead's prettiest streets, just moments from the southern edge of Hampstead Heath. The present building is a 1930s rebuild of a much older inn, and the site has a long history stretching back to the coaching days when it was a first stop out of the City.
It is a large, handsome pub with its own courtyard and a generous garden, which makes it a popular choice on warm days when walkers drift down off the Heath. The scale of the place means there is usually room to find a table even when it is busy.
One of its most unusual features is the full size old English skittle alley in the basement, one of only a couple left in London. It is a genuine curiosity and a reminder of the pub's deep roots in Hampstead life.
With its blend of history, greenery and proximity to the Heath, the Freemasons Arms works well as a destination pub for a long Sunday lunch or a drink after a walk, rather than a quick stop.
Getting there
The Freemasons ArmsNW3 1NT
Nearby venues
- Keats House NW3 2RR
- Keats House Garden NW3 2RR
- Keats Community Library NW3 2RR
- Keats House 10 Keats Grove London NW3 2RR
- The Magdala Tavern NW3 2SB
- The Roebuck, Hampstead NW3 2PN
- The Garden Gate Camden
- The Well Walk Theatre NW3 1TS
Explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Freemasons Arms in Hampstead?
The Freemasons Arms is at 32 Downshire Hill, close to the southern edge of Hampstead Heath. It sits on one of the village's most attractive residential streets. Hampstead Heath Overground and Hampstead station are both within walking distance.
Does the Freemasons Arms have a garden?
Yes, the pub is known for its courtyard and large garden, which are a big draw in good weather. The outdoor space suits groups and walkers coming off the Heath. It is one of the more spacious pub gardens in the area.
What is the skittle alley at the Freemasons Arms?
The pub has a full size old English, or London, skittle alley in its basement. It is one of only a small number left in the capital, which makes it a real point of interest. It reflects the pub's long history in Hampstead.
Is the Freemasons Arms a historic pub?
The present building dates from the 1930s, but a pub has stood on the site since the coaching era, when it was a first stop on the road out of the City to Hampstead. That long lineage is part of its appeal. The basement skittle alley adds to the sense of heritage.
Is the Freemasons Arms good after a walk on Hampstead Heath?
Yes, its location right by the Heath makes it a natural spot to finish a walk. The large garden and roomy interior mean there is usually space to settle in. It is a popular refuelling point for walkers.