The Walmer Castle has stood in a prime spot in Notting Hill since 1845 and during that time has changed many hands and led many lives. In November 2023, Jack and Poppy Greenall took over this much-loved local to give it a new lease of life, enlisting the help of designer Isabella Worsley and refreshing the menu with seasonal, British dishes that champion the UK's best produce.
The ground floor is the heart of the establishment, where the large doors allow the atmosphere from the bustling streets to flow in, along with natural light, which dapples across wooden tables and along cream-toned walls. Here, you'll find a handsome central bar, authentic fireplace and sophisticated but fitting decor, like choice pieces of art and a latte colour palette.
Across its three floors, Walmer Castle also boasts a more formal, upstairs dining room which is a beautiful spot for a special dinner and benefits from features like wine bottle-lined walls, cosy corners and on-trend lighting. While on the top floor, the Westbourne Room is a private dining room with soft, feminine details like floral wallpaper and a huge orginal artwork from Florence Houston of a berry-filled jelly. Here, you could host up to 18 people for a either lunch or dinner.
As for the menu, it changes seasonally and there's always a sample example online, which gives you an idea of what to expect. It could be cured chalkstream trout with mango, chili and Arenkha caviar dressing with coriander cress and crostini to start, followed by mains like Somerset pork tomahawk servied with black pudding and new potatoes, as well as cavolo nero, apple and red wine jus, or seafood taglitelle with St. Austell’s mussels, Atlantic prawns, squid, langoustine bisque and basil.
For dessert, who could resist the likes of sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream or Williams pear and Valrhona chocolate trifle with toasted almonds and vanilla sponge.