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Hampstead's gem - the Duke of Hamilton
by Mark Hoile
Duke Of Hamilton, New End, NW3
Just a short walk from Hampstead underground station can be found one of the area's friendliest pubs, serving a selection of delightful real ales to the local community.
James Hamilton (1606-1649) after whom the pub is named was a Scottish Royalist who fought against Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War, before being taken prisoner and executed.
First licensed in 1721 as 'The Duke of Hamilton's Head' the pub has undergone many modifications over the years, with more recent events having been witnessed by Mr Bill Ashton. Bill (pictured below left) has been a regular visitor to the Duke Of Hamilton for over 60 years and aptly considers the pub to be "probably the only true local left in Hampstead?"
The post-War conversion to a single bar pub, removed both separate public and saloon bars, with an expanded drinking area to the rear of the existing bar, utilising what was formerly part of the licensee's property. Immediately behind the main building is the site of former stables, which now includes accommodation above. The old cobblestone pathway to the stables still exists for access, with the stones raised to assist the movement of horses clearly visible. An adjacent building, which is now ‘The New End Theatre' (top, visible to the right of the pub in the picture), was formerly the Hampstead police mortuary and is reputed to have held the body of David Blakely after he had been famously shot by Ruth Ellis at a nearby pub, the Magdala Tavern, in April 1955. Ms Ellis later became the last woman to be hanged in Britain in July of the same year.
Downstairs a small hole, with a metal cover, located in the cellar ceiling is believed to be the former entry point for the ice hole for the building, which would have been used for large deliveries of ice from street level (below).
The current licensee Mary Wooderson and her husband Michael (who is known as Woody to his friends, pictured above in the cellar) have maintained the pub since 1990. Fullers London Pride, ESB, and a guest beer are always available along with a draught cider. Prices are very notably very reasonable for the area.
The pub takes pride in the fact that beer is its central attraction and indeed The Duke of Hamilton is a consistent entry in the Good Beer Guide produced by CAMRA. This Autumn, the pub will celebrate ten consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide, no mean achievement for a London pub these days.
An outdoor drinking area and cellar bar provide additional facilities for patrons.
The licensee Mary is shown (above) behind the bar, with Bill Ashton.
Regular visitors over the years have included Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, Oliver Reed, John Gregson, and many current celebrities from the stage of the adjoining theatre.
Pay an early visit to The Duke Of Hamilton and discover for yourself the secret of the pub's success with the Hampstead community.
Words and photos by Mark Hoile
North London Branch Pub Preservation Officer
Additional photography and reporting by Gary White
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 11.
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