The Mayflower - Rotherhithe - Pub Reviews

Nestled on the south bank of the Thames in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower is often called London’s oldest riverside pub. It dates back to 1550 and even occupies the mooring point of the Pilgrim Fathers’ Mayflower ship. According to CAMRA, the pub began life in 1780 as the Shippe Inn (later the Spread Eagle) and was rebuilt in 1957 in a Tudor style using old oak beams. This renovation cleverly created a 16th-century tavern ambience, complete with heavy timber ceilings and wood panelling reminiscent of its seafaring past. Plaques and nautical memorabilia – from replica ship’s wheels to Mariner’s logs – celebrate the pub’s heritage, and a commemorative book inside even invites descendants of 1620 voyagers to sign their names. In fact, the historic associations are so strong that The Mayflower claims the distinction of being the only UK pub licensed to sell US postage stamps, a charming nod to its transatlantic link.

Facilities & Entertainment

The Mayflower offers a cosy, no-frills setting with entertainment geared toward good company rather than big screens or sports. There is no on-site parking (the narrow street is best reached by the Overground or Jubilee Line) and the pub generally avoids darts or arcade games. Instead, the focus is on conversation and occasional live events. For example, the pub hosts a weekly pub quiz on Tuesdays and candlelit dinners on Sundays, which reflect its traditional charm. Downstairs you’ll find a handful of quiet seating bays with dark wood benches and a warming brick fireplace, while outside a decked jetty on the riverbank offers an unparalleled spot for a pint at sunset. The riverside deck looks out toward Canary Wharf – a stunning view that many diners prize as part of the experience. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the ground-floor bar and on the outdoor terrace, adding to the pub’s homely, inclusive vibe.

Food on Offer

The Mayflower’s menu is classic British pub fare, hearty and rooted in local ingredients. The official website describes “classic British dishes using local and fresh ingredients” complemented by “well-kept traditional ales, craft beers, local gins and fine wines”. Starters often include comfort staples such as creamy baked Camembert with honey-rosemary, Atlantic scallops or a generous bowl of steamed mussels in garlic white wine (as one reviewer noted). Mains feature the likes of fish dishes (pan-fried sea bass or the pub’s famously large fish & chips), robust meat pies (steak & ale or chicken & mushroom), and weekly hearty roasts on Sundays (with beef, lamb, pork or a vegetarian nut roast, all served with Yorkshire pudding and seasonal veg). Portions are generous – mains generally range in price from about £18–£24 and come with hearty sides of potatoes and vegetables. Desserts are traditional puds (sticky toffee pudding, bread-and-butter pudding, or a crème brûlée) and cheesecakes, typically around £9 each. Diners praise the quality of the cooking and the satisfying, well-executed home-cooked style: as one critic put it, the food is warming and indulgent, perfect for the candlelit atmosphere upstairs.

Beers on Tap

Beer and ale are central to the Mayflower’s offering. The pub usually runs several well-kept cask ales alongside continental lagers and craft beers. CAMRA notes that “the pub boasts six handpumps with five regularly changing ales plus a house beer ‘Scurvy’” on tap. Alongside these real ales, you’ll typically find classic draught choices such as Guinness stout and Moretti lager, plus often an Aspall cider. The rotating guest ales mean there’s frequently something new to try (for instance, a local pale ale or seasonal brew), while the bartenders are noted for keeping each pint in excellent condition. One long-time visitor remarked that the service staff at The Mayflower “effortlessly recommended a great wine and was attentive throughout [the] entire meal,” but the same professionalism applies to beer – the staff know the beers well and pour every pint with care. In short, the beer selection is broad but focused on quality: you can expect a solid range of London and UK ales alongside a few European bottles and spirits.

Price Range & Value

The Mayflower offers good value for London. According to the menu, starters are in the £8–12 range, mains about £18–24, and desserts around £9. A pint of draught beer typically costs around £6–£7. For London’s pub scene – especially riverside – these are modest prices for generous portions. Combined with attentive service and the excellent beers, most diners feel the quality is more than fair. Many reviews note that “you get what you pay for” here: the ingredients are fresh, meals are well cooked, and portions are ample. There’s no gimmicky pricing or hidden extras – it’s straightforward pub dining. Overall, the consensus is that The Mayflower represents an affordable and satisfying Thameside dining experience, with comfortable prices that encourage lingering over both meal and view.

Customer Service

Service at The Mayflower is consistently singled out as warm and welcoming. Patrons describe the staff as friendly and chatty, often sharing tidbits of the pub’s history. One recent Google review raved that the team greeted guests with “genuine warmth and efficiency” and happily shared tales of the riverside setting. In practice this means you’ll often find bartenders who remember your name and know the menu inside out. They’ll gladly recommend a suitable wine or ale (as one diner noted, “Our waiter effortlessly recommended a great wine and was attentive throughout our entire meal”). Even on busy nights – say before a waterfront concert or a sold-out Sunday roast service – the staff move briskly to clear tables and refill pints without intruding. In short, the service here strikes a fine balance between professionalism and a homely touch. Many guests feel like regulars after just one visit, thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere the staff create.

Events & Special Nights

While fundamentally a dining pub, The Mayflower does feature a few weekly specials and occasional events to spice up the calendar. As mentioned above, there’s a Pie & Pint deal on Wednesdays and a Fishy Friday special offering two portions of fish-and-chips with pints (though schedules can vary, so it’s wise to check ahead). The pub also runs a cosy pub quiz on Tuesdays and has candle-lit themed Sundays. In past years, guests have reported the occasional acoustic music night or anniversary celebration on the deck, and the pub has hosted holiday meals (for example Burns Night suppers). However, it’s not a loud events venue – these special nights are more about adding flavour than defining the place. On the Thameside deck you might see a live folk guitarist strumming an evening tune, or the pub might project a big football match in the back bar if enough fans arrive. Generally, though, the events are low-key and family-friendly, consistent with the pub’s traditional character. The main draw remains the food, drink, and scenery; the themed nights and quizzes are a bonus that locals appreciate and visitors can stumble upon during a week-long stay.

Atmosphere & Accessibility

The Mayflower’s atmosphere is quintessentially old-English and nautical. Inside, the décor emphasises dark woods, exposed beams and maritime motifs. The walls are adorned with maritime paintings, model ships, antique lanterns and brass compasses, creating a feeling of a centuries-old sailor’s tavern. The ground-floor pub area is warm and cozy, with the glow of the fireplace adding to the ambience on colder nights. Upstairs, the main dining room is especially atmospheric: it features polished wooden floors, high ceilings with exposed timber, and a large latticed window looking out over the Thames. Tables there are clothed in checks and surrounded by candlelight, making the room feel intimate and romantic – perfect for a quiet dinner by the river. In all corners you’ll notice nautical knickknacks like old anchors, ship’s bells and polished portholes, which reinforce the Mayflower theme without feeling kitschy.

The clientele is a mix of locals, river cruise visitors and history-minded tourists. A friendly chatter often fills the air – on one side of the bar you might hear dockers in work jackets discussing the day’s catch, while on the other side a young couple might be planning a London sightseeing route. The staff contribute to the communal feel by remembering returning guests, giving the pub a genuine “everyone knows your name” vibe.

In terms of layout and accessibility, the pub retains its historic floor plan, which means it’s charmingly snug but can get crowded. There are a few steps up to enter, and the ground floor is divided into small bays and nooks, so wheelchairs may face some tight turns (unfortunately, no lift is available for the upstairs dining room). The basement is not used and restrooms are compact. As in many older London pubs, space is at a premium: on busy nights it can feel quite full. If you want to secure seating, it’s wise to arrive a bit early or reserve ahead (the Mayflower does take reservations upstairs). On sunny days, however, the outside seating on the jetty is a highlight – there’s no other spot quite like it in London to watch boats on the Thames. (Just remember, if you sit right at the water’s edge at high tide, your feet might get wet!)

Location & Nearby Attractions

The Mayflower sits amid one of London’s most charming historic enclaves. It is directly across the street from St Mary’s Church, Rotherhithe, famously known as “The Mayflower Church.” Inside the churchyard you’ll find the grave of Captain Christopher Jones and a memorial to the Pilgrim Fathers. A few minutes’ walk south along cobblestone lanes brings you to the Brunel Museum, housed in the original Thames Tunnel engine house where Marc and Isambard Brunel built the world’s first tunnel under a river. This museum often hosts open weekends and even has a rooftop bar (the Midnight Apothecary) with its own river views. On the way, you’ll pass the 19th-century Norwegian Seamen’s Church and the bronze statue of the Navigator, reflecting Rotherhithe’s maritime and immigrant heritage.

Almost opposite the pub is King’s Stairs Gardens, a small riverside park from which a foot ferry (the Canary Wharf ferry) shuttles passengers across the Thames to Greenwich at short intervals. This ferry is a fun way to reach the Museum of London Docklands or Canary Wharf in 10 minutes. For walkers, the Thames Path runs by here – you can head west under Tower Bridge toward the South Bank, or east along the river toward Greenwich. Nearby (about 5–10 minutes on foot) are Rotherhithe Overground and Canada Water (Jubilee Line) stations, making the pub easily reachable from central London. In short, The Mayflower is surrounded by history and charm: Rotherhithe’s cobbled streets and converted warehouses give the area a village-like feel, providing a peaceful contrast to the city buzz. After a meal at the pub, many visitors like to stroll to the river, explore St Mary’s Church, or catch the ferry for a riverside walk.

Overall Impression

In an area of London that still feels like a riverside village, The Mayflower stands out as a true gem. It offers a perfect blend of heritage and hospitality: the dark-wood interior and ship-themed décor transport you back to the age of sail, while the large outside deck makes you feel very much in the present (and savouring one of the best urban sunsets in London). The menu underscores the classic atmosphere – hearty British dishes and excellent ales – and the service adds genuine warmth. Visitors frequently comment on the attentive staff, the authentic décor, and the unbeatable location. Minor quirks remain (it can be snug on busy nights and offers no TV sports or dartboards), but these are exactly what its charm hinges on. The Mayflower is not a trendy gastropub; it’s a living piece of London history where you can enjoy well-cooked pub classics by the river. For anyone seeking an authentic Thameside pub experience with a storied past, The Mayflower is hard to beat.