Wellington
Address: 81-83 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UD
Telephone: 020 7928 6083
Large, sprawling pub/hotel opposite Waterloo Station. Now operated by Fullers.
Up until the end of 2011 The Wellington was operated by Marston’s and the pub/hotel has had a chequered past. In the 1980s it was for a while a ‘must stop’ on the real ale circuit. I don’t know who was running the pub then but they carried an excellent real ale selection. The beers were well-kept too. Along with the nearby Hole in the Wall you could enjoy an evening of varied real ales without leaving the immediate area around Waterloo station.
Through the 90s however the Wellington lost its sparkle and I didn’t visit for a long time. However around 2005 (I think) the pub was taken over by Marston’s and received a substantial refurb.
Not surprisingly with the ownership came the associated Marston’s beers. The selection seemed to vary regularly right across the Marston’s spectrum – Jennings, Banks’s, Ringwood as well as Marston’s Pedigree or a seasonal.
Now Fullers are in charge the selection is mainstream Fullers with Chiswick, Pride, ESB and Gales Seafarers. I was hoping for a Black Cab but maybe you can’t get that south of the river… No HSB either unfortunately.
The atmosphere in The Wellington hasn’t really changed – it’s lively and friendly, and there are plenty of TV screens for sporting events.
Worth a visit, but I tend to favour the Kings Arms just round the corner when in Waterloo.
- See larger pictures of the Wellington Hotel in Waterloo – all featuring the now out of date Marstons branding.
Last visited: September 2016
Good Beer, Good Pubs rating: 
Other Pubs in the Waterloo Area
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