The Zetland Arms

One thing we’ve noticed in all our time in London, nothing creates a level playing field like a high street boozer. Even a high street boozer located in well-heeled South Kensington. Housed on Bute Street in the heart of Museum Land, this is a pub that manages to attract a mixed, varied clientele despite the fact that all around it the likes of Lamborghini showrooms and international auction houses dominate. But everyone needs a pub and the Zetland arms is as classic as they come, unsurprising given that it sits in one of the oldest buildings left in the area.

Once reputed to have been bought by Charlie Chaplin for his brother Marlon, the Zetland Arms celebrates the ‘great British pub’, serving up a selection of fish and chips, pie and mash and burgers to its mix of museum goers, local workers and just plain locals – who probably don’t need to work. Right?

On the evening we visit we find the excellent Sambrooks Pale Ale on the tap, joined by an equally tasty Belgian blonde as well as a good range of real ales. A lively, bustling atmosphere keeps things interesting and we hear that live football attracts a large crowd regularly – a fact that surely proves the people’s game is alive and well in Chelsea.