Traditional Sunday lunch, pubs outside London

Hampstead in northern London have several pubs that offer a Sunday roast including The Holly Bush and The Spaniards Inn. You could also visit Kenwood House and walk the Heath if the weather cooperates.

Richmond is another option, located on the River Thames, with several pubs serving Sunday roast including The White Swan and The White Cross.

Wherever you decide, be sure to book a table.

Well, it could take a bit over an hour to reach, but I’ve been twice to the Mute Swan pub for Sunday Roasts. It’s just outside the entrance to Hampton Court palace, a worthwhile destination on its own, in the “village” of East Molesey.

The TfL Go app (Transport for London), which gives directions and approximate travel times using Underground Tube, Overground trains, and/or buses, says the fastest route from Earl’s Court is 1 hour and 12 minutes, involving a Tube ride on the District Line to Wimbledon, then a South Western Railway train ride, followed by a bus and short walk. TfL says that going by bicycle is actually faster, 1 hour and 3 minutes, but you might or might not want to work up an appetite pedaling a bike.

Closer to Earl’s Court, between 40 and 69 minutes depending on whether you go by Tube and/or bus, is the Tulse Hill Hotel, with a pub/restaurant. We had a great Sunday Roast there, complete with lots of trimmings, in 2024. The Tulse Hill neighborhood is a southern suburb that looks and feels very different from central London.

Firstly full disclosure my brother used to work for them but I can recommend the pubs in this chain. I have eaten at a few of them and the food was always excellent. They are also in buildings with some history and character.

https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/

In terms of places with a village feel that are within an hour of Earls Court, in addition to the suggestions already given I would add:

-Rose and Crown in Clay Hill- it's 1 hr 20 mins from Earls Court but to me this is the most village feel you can get within London. You can see more here: https://roseandcrownclayhill.co.uk/
-Crown and Greyhound in Dulwich- one of the best Sunday roasts I've had in London, and a really nice location next to Dulwich Park: https://www.thecrownandgreyhound.co.uk/#/

Emma, we go for family pub lunches in one of these Brunning & Price establishments in a Regency-style house that’s a five minute walk from my in-laws. Good to know the rest of them maintain the same standards.

OP, my feeling is that until you get to Michelin-rated places like The Harwood Arms or current foodie darling The Devonshire, you’re best off picking where you’d like to visit and then finding the best pub option there. Golden Girl posted an article on the Food&Drink forum that explains the homogenization of the menu at these establishments.

What activities interest you outside London? Hampstead Heath is a great suggestion if other aspects of it appeal to you.

We combined Sunday roast at The Botanist in Richmond with a visit to Kew Gardens. I think Claudia, a frequent London visitor, recommended The Botanist.

I think the suggestion of combining your meal plan with something else you would like to do/see is a good one.

Some of these are in the center of London, but several are on the outskirts.
I'm especially keen to try the one in Highgate (Red Lion And Sun) and the one in Fulham (The Harwood Arms). Both neighborhoods are good for a walk around to explore after your meal.
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-sunday-roast-london#intcid=recommendations_cnt-row-bottom-recirc-v4_06d4f115-0bf4-4aa3-a78c-6487b37eaef8_roberta-similarity1_RoBERTaSimilarity1