The Hop Poles

60 Upper Tulse Hill, London SW2 2RW
[Map location]. Published 17th July 2012. Pics by Minnie The Minx.

Already derelict and waiting for the bulldozers to move in is this beleaguered council estate pub on Upper Tulse Hill, south London.



The pub had been run down and struggling for some time, so its closure came as no real surprise to locals.

I doubt if the ugly architecture proved much of an incentive for passers-by to pop in - what hope could they have of attracting passing traffic when the building doesn't even look like a pub?





Here's how the pub looked in July 1965 before rebuilding. Note the decorative gable and small shops either side.

To the right of the Hop Poles can be seen the narrow steps leading to Brockham Rise with Brockham House housing development looming behind.

These steps were considerably widened after the rebuilding.

(Pic: Lambeth Archives)



The sorry state of the building today. Demolition and the inevitable 'luxury development' surely can't be far way.



According to this handy pub history site, there has been a pub on thids site since at least 1871, with the landlords being:

1871/William C Shirley/Retailer of Wines & Beers/37/Brixton Surrey/Census ***
1871/Sarah M Shirley/Wife/38/Walworth Surrey/Census
1871/Stuart W P Shirley/Son/8/Brixton Surrey/Census
1881/Albert Guntrip/Beer House Keeper/27/Brixton, Surrey/Census ****
1881/R Darby Guntrip/Wife/27/Chelmsford, Essex/Census
1881/Clara Guntrip/Daughter/1/Brixton, Surrey/Census
1881/Eliza Cooper/Barmaid/21/London, Middlesex/Census
1921/William Henry Watson/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory ****

Earlier Google street view of the pub before the windows were smashed in.

Discuss the pub! Add your own memories and anecdotes on the urban75 bulletin board.




« Lost pubs homepage