Bricklayer's Arms

The Bricklayer's Arms is a historic public house on Waterman Street in Putney, London, and one of the oldest pubs in the area. It was built in 1826 on the site of an old coaching house and blacksmith's forge, and was originally known as the Waterman's Arms because of its proximity to the River Thames and its customer base of boat workers. At the end of the 19th century it was renamed the Bricklayer's Arms, reflecting the construction boom in the surrounding area driven by the extension of the District line railway. The pub has been recognised repeatedly for the quality of its beer and hospitality. It was named "South West London Pub of the Year" in 2006, 2008 and 2010, and was twice CAMRA National Pub of the Year for the Greater London Region, in 2007 and 2009. In 2012, National Geographic rated it as a "compact Victorian gem" and the third best pub in England. Ownership has changed several times in recent decades. Before Becky Newman took over, it had been an Inntrepreneur tenancy, and in 2000 it was restyled as the Putney Brick but soon closed, as the then owners intended to sell the site for redevelopment. In 2002 the pub was bought at auction by Newman's brother-in-law John and sister Helen. They reopened it for six months without great success, and it became their family home. After Helen's unexpected death in January 2005, money was needed to support the young family, so John and Newman reopened the pub on 27 March 2005, the day of The Boat Race, to immediate success. Newman, a former actress who appeared in Casualty and The House of Eliott, has been the landlady since 2005. Today the Bricklayer's Arms operates as a traditional independent London pub, trading on its Victorian character, its riverside Putney location and its award-winning reputation among real ale enthusiasts.

The Bricklayer's Arms, on Waterman Street in Putney, London, is one of the oldest pubs in the area. It was built in 1826 on the site of an old coaching house and blacksmith's forge. At that time it was known as the Waterman's Arms, a name reflecting its close proximity to the River Thames and its core clientele of men who worked on the boats. At the end of the 19th century, the pub changed its name to the Bricklayer's Arms, as there was a huge amount of construction taking place in the surrounding area due to the extension of the District line railway. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the pub passed through several hands. Before Becky Newman took over, it had been an Inntrepreneur tenancy. In 2000 it was restyled as the Putney Brick, but it soon closed, as the then owners intended to sell the site for redevelopment. In 2002 the pub was bought at auction by Newman's brother-in-law John and sister Helen. They reopened it for six months without great success, and it became their family home. After Helen's unexpected death in January 2005, money was needed to support the young family, so John and Newman reopened the pub on 27 March 2005, the day of The Boat Race, to immediate success. Newman, a former actress who had appeared in Casualty and The House of Eliott, took over the pub in 2005 and has been its landlady since. Under Newman's stewardship the pub gained wide recognition. It was "South West London Pub of the Year" in 2006, 2008 and 2010, and was twice CAMRA National Pub of the Year for the Greater London Region, in 2007 and 2009. In 2012, National Geographic rated the Bricklayer's Arms as a "compact Victorian gem", the third best pub in England.

• 2012

  Rated by National Geographic as a "compact Victorian gem" and the third best pub in England.

• 2010

  Named South West London Pub of the Year for a third time.

• 2009

  Named CAMRA National Pub of the Year for the Greater London Region for a second time.

• 2007

  Named CAMRA National Pub of the Year for the Greater London Region.

• 2006

  Named South West London Pub of the Year.

• 2005

  Reopened on 27 March by John and Becky Newman, the day of The Boat Race, to immediate success.

• 2002

  Bought at auction by John and Helen, who reopened it for six months without great success.

• 2000

  Restyled as the Putney Brick but soon closed as owners intended to sell the site for redevelopment.

• 1900

  Renamed the Bricklayer's Arms at the end of the 19th century amid construction driven by the District line extension.

• 1826

  Built on the site of an old coaching house and blacksmith's forge, originally known as the Waterman's Arms.

Traditional independent Victorian London pub with an award-winning real ale reputation.

• Cask ales

  Real ale served from casks, central to the pub's award-winning reputation.

• Traditional pub food

  Standard British pub fare served alongside drinks.

1. 1Bricklayer's Arms, Putney - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Bricklayer's Arms - Wikidatawikidata.org