The Boleyn Tavern Pub in Barking

1 Barking Rd, London E6 1PW

About This Pub

Ah, The Boleyn Tavern—it's one of those hidden gems in East Ham that really warms the cockles of your heart the moment you walk in. I love how it's got this stunning historic vibe with beautiful dark wood and etched glass everywhere, creating that quintessential British pub atmosphere that's both spacious and cosy. The food is another winner; whether it's a juicy burger, a fresh sea bass fillet, or those Sunday veggie roasts that folks rave about, it's all pretty spot on and leaves you satisfied without any fuss. And let's not forget the drinks—the beers are top-notch, with Guinness poured just right and a good mix of craft options to keep things interesting. The staff are an absolute treat too, always greeting you with a smile and happy to recommend a cider or whatever takes your fancy. On the flip side, you might run into a few of the locals who are a bit too eager for a natter, which can make it feel a tad intrusive if you're in the mood for some peace and quiet. Plus, there are those little food gripes, like the fish not having that perfect crispy skin, or the lamb roast not being everyone's cup of tea. All in all, though, it's a solid choice for us pub enthusiasts—affordable, welcoming, and with a 4.5 rating from plenty of happy visitors, it's got that balance of old-school charm and modern appeal that makes for a great night out. If you're in the area, I'd say give it a go, but maybe pop in during off-peak hours for the best experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The atmosphere is absolutely charming, with that classic British pub feel—think ornate dark wood and etched glass that make you feel like you've stepped back in time.
The food is a real highlight; from tasty burgers and fresh sea bass to delicious veggie roasts, it's all spot on and hits the spot after a long day.
Staff are lovely and welcoming, always up for a chat and making sure you feel right at home with a smile and helpful advice on drinks.
They've got a great selection of beers, including perfectly poured Guinness and some cracking craft options, which is perfect for a casual catch-up.
It's affordable too, so you can enjoy a proper pint and a bite without breaking the bank, making it a go-to for everyday outings.

Cons

Some of the regulars can be a bit too keen for a chat, which might feel a tad overwhelming if you're after a quiet evening.
There are minor niggles with the food, like the fish skin not being as crispy as you'd hope, or the lamb not quite suiting everyone's taste.
Opening hours can seem a bit patchy from what I've seen, so it's worth double-checking if you're planning a visit outside peak times.

Contact Information

1 Barking Rd, London E6 1PW

+442084722182

Pub

Closed

Opening Hours

Monday	16:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	16:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	16:00 - 23:00
Thursday	12:00 - 23:00
Friday	12:00 - 00:00
Saturday (Today)	12:00 - 00:00
Sunday	12:00 - 22:00

Location

Recent Reviews

An absolutely STUNNING and totally unexpected gem of a find as we were on our our way to a MISSION for our fanatical DR. WHO fan daughters to the WHO STORE just down the street. This tedious chore turned into an amazing historic, visual and gastronomic pleasure which made the trek totally worthwhile!!!! I am not anywhere knowing about British football (except through TED LASSO and WELCOME TO WREXHAM) and had no idea that UPTON PARK was the UNDERGROUND stop closest to the Green Street and Barking Road intersection of the statue honouring the 1966 FIFA champions WESTHAM lead by their captain Bobby Moore. But I digress. We walked into THE BOLEYN TAVERN and were greeted by a lovely and so accommodating lady behind the bar (....and I am SOOOO sorry I do not remember her name...) who gave us a tour of the place. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!! A terrific story of the old stables and palace where Anne Boleyn used to stop before her clandestine trips to randy HANK VIII while he was still married to Catherine of Aragon......yaddy...yaddy..... Apparently the present owners bought this place ....during COVID...and pumped over a million GBP into refurbishing it...and it is a treasure to behold. When I finally finished taking copious pictures of this architectural splendour we sat down to some delicious beers and a spectacular meal from the kitchen. Again, so sorry that I cannot remember what we had but we BOTH commented it was THE memorable meal of our 9-day trip to London...and MUCH better than our anniversary dinner latter that night at THE SAVOY!!!!! Thank you to the lady of the bar, CHEF and the kitchen for making this trip one of our cherished memories of London.

Doug W

Visited The Boleyn Tavern over the weekend — and I was very impressed! The atmosphere is great: spacious, cozy, with that classic British charm. I ordered a pint of Guinness — perfectly poured, fresh, nicely chilled, with a creamy head — an absolute pleasure to drink. For food, I had a burger with fries — the meat was juicy, the bun fresh, and the portion generous. The fries were crispy, not too salty, and served hot — just the way I like it. I also got some chicken wings, and they were spot on — nicely crispy, with a spicy sauce that had a real kick without being overwhelming. Service was great too: staff were friendly, everything arrived quickly, no long waits. I definitely recommend this pub — whether you're looking for a relaxed evening with friends or just want a good meal with a proper pint. I'll definitely be back!

Yurii Pecherytsia

This pub is beautiful, and I loved the ornate dark wood and the etched glass. The establishment was clean and tidy. Greeted with a smile from bar staff and had dialogue with her regarding the cider. There is plenty of seating space, which makes the places feel comfortable that you are not all packed in like sardines. My husband and I had an enjoyable first visit to The Boleyn Tavern. It's a must visit if you love and appreciate pubs with historic character.

Sandy

The chef here is outstanding, especially fond of the Sunday veggie roasts! Lovely staff and such beautiful surroundings. Some of the male clientele can be a little over familiar and hard to shake off - just wanting to chat a lot - but I guess that’s the same everywhere. It’s the only small negative about a really wonderful and beautiful place where the staff are super welcoming. So great that they’re dog friendly too!

Michaela M

Beautiful pub! We went for Sunday lunch. Good variety of beers, including craft beers and IPAs. The food was good. The sea bass fillet was yummy (only negative is that I would like the skin to be crispy) but it was fresh and tasty. The lamb roast was ok but I'm not a big fan of lamb flavour. The atmosphere was very nice, it was busy enough but it's not loud so it's perfect for a good time in family or with friends. The service was very good and super accommodating. They allowed us to change to the restaurant side which is beautiful! The staff serving drinks and food are very welcoming and friendly. We asked a few questions about the food and the person didn't know too well (if the pork belly comes with crackling for example). It would be nice if they were a bit more aware of those details. But again, they were very friendly and quick. We are definitely going back!!

Hachy London