A Catford pub which has been open for more than 150 years has been named one of the best pubs in London.

Time Out released its top 50 best pubs in London list earlier this month.

The Blythe Hill Tavern, located at 319 Stanstead Road, earned a spot on Time Out's list, ranking at number three.

The Blythe Hill Tavern opened in 1866 and is owned by Cornelius Riordan who took control of The Blythe Hill Tavern nearly 40 years ago in 1988.

The Blythe Hill Tavern specialises in real ales and niche ciders and is an award-winning pub, having won CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) awards in 2012 and 2015.

Time Out was impressed with the “incredible dapper tie-and-waistcoat wearing bar staff” and the general 1930s feel.

The pub describes itself as a “relaxed atmosphere” with a child-friendly garden.

There are sport screens inside the pubs as well as fires in the autumn and winter months.

Quiz nights are held on Monday nights from September to April, and traditional Irish music plays all year round every Thursday.

A statement from pub owner on the website said: “It takes lots of time and resources behind the scenes, but we think it’s worth it. 

“We regularly rotate our selection, and some of those we’ve stocked recently are below.

“We also serve excellent Guinness, popular beer brands, and a wide range of spirits and wine, along with tea and coffee.”

In this friendly local, with the three-room interior and 1930’s panelling, the landlord and staff, uphold the tradition of being smartly dressed, attentive and incredibly welcoming, according to the website.

The statement continued: “It is the relaxed atmosphere, with the child-friendly garden, the sports screens (never too loud), the roaring fires in the autumn and winter months, the quiz nights on Monday Nights (September to April), the traditional Irish music on a Thursday evening (all year round), that makes it such a special place to meet, enjoy real ales and relax with friends.”

Time Out said: “Good things come to those who venture into deepest south London.

“Made up of three tiny, dark, wood-panelled rooms, with a bar in each housing framed jockey portraits, the Blythe Hill Tavern is one of the finest Irish pubs outside of the Emerald Isle.

“There’s Guinness, of course, a fair few whiskies and regular trad music sessions.

“The best part though?

“The incredibly dapper tie-and-waistcoat wearing bar staff.

“Local knowledge Thursdays at 9pm is when the traditional Irish music sessions start.

“Penny whistles and fiddles galore.”

The Top 50 was decided upon by Time Out London Food & Drink Editor Leonie Cooper and writer Jimmy McIntosh.

The Blythe Hill Tavern is open from 11am to 11pm from Monday to Wednesday, 11am to 12am from Thursday to Saturday, and 12pm to 11pm on Sunday.