Hoop & Toy

About Hoop & Toy

The Hoop & Toy is the oldest established pub in the South Kensington / Knightsbridge area and opened in 1760, originally called the Hoop and Grapes. This name signified that it was an establishment selling beer (metal hoop around barrels) and wine (grapes), but when the first London congestion charge came into force in 1796, the owner built another pub (The Bunch of Grapes) just 1 mile up the road in Knightsbridge and changed the name. The renamed Hoop and Toy now had an added stable to look after commuters’ horses for the day, to avoid the daily charge levied at the Brompton Gate where the V & A stands today.

The 'Toy' was a rum soaked leather bound peg which could be placed in a horse's mouth to stop it grinding its teeth or biting its gums (or so we are told by modern day historians!)

The original building suffered fire damage in an incident that started at a bakers just 3 doors east of us, and was re-opened at great expense by the new owner Lord Rothschild in 1885. It had many high class patrons including 2 King George's (the crazy one and the 'Blackadder' one). The current building dates back to just after WW2 as much of this area suffered damage from bombing raids as can be seen from the museum walls along Exhibition Road.

Our range of drinks includes cask ale and an extensive wine list as well as a great range of soft drinks and coffees.

With fabulous British food to accompany our drinks, you can relax at this Taylor Walker pub over classics such as hand battered cod, chips and mushy or garden peas, traditional British recipe bangers & mash or a roast of the day seven days a week. Our pub food is freshly prepared and includes all your British favourites. We also offer a range of sandwiches and jacket potatoes.

We are delighted to welcome you at Taylor Walker and assure you of friendly service in a relaxing British pub with a welcoming atmosphere.