Welsh Things To Do In London

Welsh Things To Do In London

Whether you're seeking honorary Welsh identity, or are a genuine Cymry looking for the occasional home comfort, here's where to find a taste of Cymru in London.

1. Tuck into posh Welsh fare at Odette's

Run and owned by chef patron Bryn Williams since 2008, Odette's offers an upmarket take on Welsh dining, with dishes like roast pork tenderloin with black pudding croquette and cauliflower purée; and baked brill with leek fondue. Many of the ingredients come directly from a farm in Wales, run by Williams' brother. The bar stocks Welsh Penderyn whisky (they'll stir it into a whisky sour if you so wish), although no Welsh wine as yet. They do a fancy annual St David's Day menu.

Odette's, Primrose Hill

2. Cheer on the London Welsh rugby club

Welsh Things To Do In London: A rugby team arm in arm
Hope you like wearing red. Image: London Welsh Supporters Club

The Welsh may be fiercely proud of their national team, but there are no lack of Welsh players at London clubs — not to mention London Welsh itself. Based in Richmond's Old Deer Park, London Welsh is not just one team, but a whole gaggle of them: London Welsh Women, Druids, Griffins, London Welsh Vets... oh yes, and the London Welsh first team. Hope you like wearing red.

London Welsh, Richmond

3. Wet your whistle with something Welsh

Welsh Things To Do In London: a line up of Tiny Rebel beers
Tiny Rebel is not hard to come by in London. Image: Tiny Rebel

The most widely-available Welsh beer in London comes from Newport-based Tiny Rebel — makers of exotic session beer Clwb Tropicana, as well as Stay Puft marshmallow porter, and a Mojito Sour. If you like your beers a little sweet and novelty-like, this'll be up your avenue. You'll often find Tiny Rebel brews at the Conductor in Farringdon, the Lyric in Soho, the Green Dragon in Croydon... we could go on and on. You'll most certainly find it at the Welsh Centre on Grays Inn Road (see below), which also pours like the likes of Brains ales and Ryan Reynolds' fave, Wrexham Lager. Tbh, if you're in any half-decent boozer, it's worth asking if they've got any TR stashed away in the fridge.

Welsh Things To Do In London: Boisdale
Boisdale of Canary Wharf serves Penderyn whisky. Image: Boisdale

All that said, for our money, a superior Welsh brewery to any of the above is Polly's Brew Co — particularly if you're into brews with hoppy heft. It's more difficult to find Polly's (especially on tap), but try your luck at a proper craft beer bar like Craft Beer Cabin in South Norwood, or Ghost Whale in Brixton/Putney.

For something stronger, Penderyn whisky is another Welsh export, and available in better-stocked whisky joints across the capital, such as Boisdale of Canary Wharf and the Britannia in Bermondsey, which offers an impressive five varieties, included a peated one.

4. Learn Welsh at the London Welsh Centre

Welsh Things To Do In London: a Welsh male voice choir
Maybe this is the year you learn to speak-sing in Welsh? Image: London Welsh Male Voice Choir

Welsh is one of the 300-odd languages spoken in London — and you're most likely to hear it at the Welsh Centre. The thumping heart of Welsh London, this splendid building on Grays Inn Road offers evening classes and one-day courses in Welsh. That's just the start of it: they host everything from Welsh art exhibitions, to Welsh gin tastings. Plus the Welsh Centre is home to The London Welsh Chorale, The London Welsh Gwalia Male Choir and The London Welsh Male Voice Choir. Walk past at the right time, and you'll hear their dulcet tones wafting through the windows.

You can also simply enjoy a Welsh beer and snacks at the Welsh Centre's bar, while watching the rugby.

London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Grays Inn Road

5. Admire hosts of golden daffodils at Osterley Park

Welsh Things To Do In London: a family enjoying the daffodils
The gleaming hosts of daffodils in Osterley Park are something to behold. Image: Osterley House and Park

When spring is sprung in London, it's time to go in search of that glimmering Welsh icon, the daffodil. St James's Park in central London in rampant with them, as is nearby Green Park. Golders Hill Park and Hampton Court Palace are also worth a look-in. For our money, though, the gleaming hosts of daffodils in Osterley Park are particularly spectacular. Plus it's way out west, so you're bascially halfway to Wales.  

Osterley House and Park, Isleworth

Feature image: London Welsh

Last Updated 01 March 2024

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