10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Ilford

"Though the bar only opens Thursday to Saturday The Camden Town Brewery has already established a strong standing with London beer connoisseurs, boasting some of the most advanced brewing equipment of any UK micro-brewing company. The impressive range is guaranteed to satisfy any pallet, from their hoppy pale ale to the deeper and stronger stouts. The Camden Town Brewery also offers tours and Beer tasting for the true beer enthusiasts."

"No prizes for guessing where Camden Town Brewery makes its beer. Well, actually, if you want to get technical, it has a larger brewery in Enfield these days… But we digress. The Camden town site offers brewery tours, and it also hosts food pop-ups, complete with a sun-drenched terrace just designed for day drinking all the Camden classics: Helles, Pale, Off-Menu, Week Nite and the juicy Show Off lager."

"See how top beers including Camden Hells Lager and Camden Pale Ale are brewed by joining a tour of the Camden Town Brewery in Kentish Town. Either drop in on a Saturday between 1 and 2 p.m. for a 30-minute informal tour or book a tour in advance on Thursday or Saturday for a more in-depth look at brewing techniques and the chance to taste several beers straight from the tank."

"London’s popular Italian food halls—found in Mayfair and Elephant & Castle—are back with their brilliant street food offerings Wednesday through till Sunday, for takeaway and deliveries only. Meanwhile, MM Grocery will continue to stay open throughout the week. Hand sanitisers will be out in both venues and social-distancing measures will apply."

"Located in Elephant and Castle, Mercato Metropolitano is one of the original food halls in London. Enjoy a craft brew outside on their terrace, tuck into a freshly-made pizza on one of the communal tables in the main hall or sneak into the more secluded den and nibble on cured meat and melted raclette whilst sipping on wine."

"Things to do Event spaces Elephant & Castle. A 45,000 square foot market space offering a mixture of Italian and London based artisan producers, including ‘the best pizza maker’ from Naples, supposedly."

"GreenwichOne of the capital’s largest craft breweries, Meantime is also blessed with a supremely stylish taproom – hexagonal floors and mid-century wooden furniture – that begs to be settled into for a tasting session. Because at this award-winning spot, it’s all about the beers: even the burgers come with sauces made from the core house brews (Anytime IPA Hot and Sweet, Yakima Red Ale BBQ, Easytime Lager Marinara). Top tip: take some of the Chocolate Porter home with you – it’s perfect for putting in puddings."

"Located in Greenwich, the Meantime Brewing Company has the mission of demonstrating the full flavour potential that beer has to offer. The commercial brewing house was founded by world-class brewer Alastair Hook, who in 1999 started to invest in it from his flat. The first brew package was made in April 2000, and the first beer brand was called Union, a Vienna-style dark lager."

"According to founder Alistair Hook, “Great beer is at the heart of everything we do.” and we believe them. Having been born in 1999, well before craft beer became trendy, they’ve spent 20 years perfecting their beers and that has most definitely been time well spent. Have we saved the best brewery until last?"

"Fourpure’s location at the back of a fairly unlovely trading estate would be — otherwise — the last place you’d choose to spend a Saturday afternoon. However, read the tap list on the monitor behind the bar, and you’ll know you’re in the right place. The bar carries 16 lines, dispensing the brewery’s core range, many more of their somewhat leftfield beers, and the odd guest draught."

"A huge, horseshoe-shaped centrepiece dominates the revamped double-height taproom, with tables all around and a mezzanine level above. You can sit outdoors too, for industrial-estate vibes – it’s part of the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Team your brews (choose from Shapeshifter, Juicebox and the best-selling Basecamp) with something from resident street-food van Oh My Dog!"

"For a bottle shop barely a year young, Brixton-based Ghost Whale has a remarkable roster fresh-off-the-canning-line beer from around the world, including barleywines from Oklahoma aged in cognac barrels, to pink peppercorn and raspberry sours from Somerset. Much thought has been spared for the drinker, as on the website the operators painstakingly maintain a full rundown of the constantly rotating 416 (as it currently stands) beers on the shelves."

"TwickenhamThe oldest of London’s indie microbreweries, Twickenham Fine Ales has many faces. Day to day it supplies pubs, including its own watering hole The Rifleman, which is a 10-minute walk away and has an outside patio with tables, umbrellas and heaters. But when the Harlequins are playing, the brewery opens for pre-match drinks and barbecues using organic meat from the neighbouring butcher."

"Granted, there are pubs with more room to manoeuvre than beer shop and “tasting room” HB&B. But then, not many pubs offer the kinds of nectar every beer hound wants to get her sticky paws on. Beers such as Cloudwater’s DIPL, Gypsy Hill and DEYA’s Ramblers, and the very small batch Mill’s Brewing & Oliver’s Cider Foxbic."

"An award-winning bottle shop and taproom on Brick Lane, Kill The Cat is a must for lovers of craft beer in London. Head to the East London location for the chance to sample sips from their extensive selection of brews, complete with snacks and slick interiors."

"Starting just east of Chalkwell Station, this beach is the choice of people who value peace for winter walks or sunbathing hot summer days. Chalkwell Beach is removed from Southend’s bustling arcades and entertainment, and has a vast belt of pebbles and sand tracked by a quiet, residential esplanade. And even if Chalkwell Beach has a more restrained atmosphere, there are shops selling beach paraphernalia and amenities like cafes just behind."

"Out of the way of the hustle and bustle of Southend’s central seaside, Chalkwell beach offers a quieter beach area for relaxation."

"329 Harrow Road, Wembley HA9 6BA, EnglandTakeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free WifiChinese, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, Dinner, Late Night+44 20 8902 2836"

"In 1224 an order of the Franciscans was given a piece of land within Newgate. The area where the Friars settled was poor, as evidenced by local streets such as Stinking Lane and the Shambles. In 1306 the Franciscans commenced ‘a magnificent edifice’."

"Tucked behind Lambeth Palace, the playground here won’t thrill anyone over the age of about four – though there are things to climb on, a sandbox, and swings. But the location, in central London, make this a good pit-stop between cultural visits – particularly if the Jubilee Gardens playground by the London Eye, with its climbing web and little else, is too crowded. Archbishop’s park is completely cut off from the street, so children can roam freely across the large grassy field."

"On the cusp of Westminster and Lambeth you’ll find the excellently located Archbishop’s Park, which is great for little ones aged four and under. It makes an excellent place to have a rest in between sightseeing and it isn’t known for being too crowded."