What makes a great pub in South London? For some people, it is a perfectly poured pint. For others, it is live music, good food, somewhere to watch the match or a garden where you can spend a summer afternoon. But the pubs people really remember usually offer something more: a sense that you have found somewhere you belong.
That is what Skehan’s has aimed to create in Nunhead for more than 25 years.
This independent, family-run pub brings together the things people have always valued about a proper local: friendly faces, good conversation, entertainment, food and a welcoming atmosphere. It is also just a short journey from Peckham, making it an option for anyone exploring the area’s pubs.
What Should You Look for in a Pub in South London?
There is no single formula for a great local pub.
However, the places that become genuine neighbourhood favourites tend to have a few things in common:
- A welcoming atmosphere for regulars and newcomers
- A good selection of drinks, including a properly served pint of Guinness
- Entertainment that brings people together
- Food worth coming back for
- Space to relax, whether inside or outdoors
- A sense of history and connection to the local community
Skehan’s has developed its character around all of these things.
Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, it has retained the personality of an independent local pub.
A Local Pub With More Than 25 Years of History
Skehan’s has been part of the Nunhead community for more than 25 years.
It remains family-run, with Bryan now at the helm. That family connection gives the pub a sense of continuity that is increasingly unusual in London.
The history of the pub is also visible in its character.
This isn’t a newly designed venue attempting to create a “traditional pub” atmosphere. Its personality has developed naturally over decades of customers, conversations, music and memorable nights.
That is difficult to manufacture.
Pubs Peckham Visitors Should Know About
Although Skehan’s is in Nunhead, it is only around a mile from Peckham.
That makes it particularly relevant if you’re exploring Pubs Peckham and want to venture slightly beyond the busiest parts of the area.
Rather than choosing another busy high-street venue, you can take a short trip towards Nunhead and discover a pub with a very different atmosphere.
Skehan’s feels like a neighbourhood pub first and foremost, while still offering plenty of reasons for visitors from Peckham and elsewhere in South East London to make the journey.
Guinness, Pool and Darts: The Traditional Pub Essentials
Sometimes, the simplest things are still the most important.
Skehan’s serves award-winning Guinness, and the pub’s recognition in the Guinness Harp Guide is a particularly proud achievement.
Then there is pool and darts for customers who want a little friendly competition.
These aren’t elaborate attractions designed to create an experience. They are simply part of what makes a traditional pub enjoyable.
You can come in for a pint, challenge a friend to a game and find yourself staying much longer than planned.
Live Music Is Part of the Pub’s Identity
Music is another important part of life at Skehan’s.
The pub hosts a varied programme throughout the week, including traditional Irish and English folk sessions, Sunday folk sessions, jam nights, rock’n’roll, karaoke and live gigs.
The Tuesday Trad Session is particularly special, alternating between Irish and English folk music.
There is also the Sunday Folk Session, where traditional acoustic music creates a relaxed atmosphere that can occasionally result in spontaneous dancing.
For musicians, the jam sessions and Writers Circle provide opportunities to perform, collaborate and share ideas.
That variety means music isn’t simply entertainment brought in for a busy Saturday night. It is woven into the life of the pub.
Food Is Part of the Skehan’s Experience
A great local pub needs good food too.
At Skehan’s, customers can enjoy authentic Thai food from Chai’s Garden, Madam Chai’s restaurant within the pub.
The unusual part is that diners can choose where they eat.
Chai’s Garden provides a peaceful garden restaurant surrounded by greenery, while the same menu can be enjoyed inside the main pub.
That means you could enjoy Pad Thai, Drunken Duck or Chicken Cashew in the restaurant, or order the same food while sitting alongside the atmosphere of the pub.
It is an unusual combination for a South London local.
A Pub Garden Hidden Behind the Pub
One of Skehan’s biggest surprises is what lies behind the building.
The multi-level garden contains different areas, including sunny spots and more sheltered sections surrounded by seasonal planting.
Thai huts, antiques and personal touches connected to Madam Chai add character, while outdoor TVs mean customers don’t necessarily have to head inside when an important match is being shown.
The garden also has an unusual history. Part of the space was once used as a stable for horses, and it was converted when Madam Chai and Bill Skehan first took over the pub.
It’s another example of how the history of Skehan’s remains part of the experience today.
What Makes the Best Pubs Peckham has to Offer?
If you’re searching for the best pubs Peckham has to offer, it is worth thinking beyond ratings and lists.
What makes a pub genuinely good depends on what you’re looking for.
Do you want somewhere quiet for a pint?
Somewhere to watch football?
Live music?
Good food?
A garden?
A quiz night?
Or simply somewhere you can walk through the door without feeling like you’re in a generic chain?
Skehan’s won’t necessarily be the right pub for everyone, but for people looking for an independent South East London pub with character, community and plenty happening, it offers a compelling alternative.
A Pub Where Different Generations Meet
One of the most valuable things about a local pub is its ability to bring different people together.
At Skehan’s, long-standing customers share the space with people discovering the pub for the first time.
Families, musicians, sports fans, quiz teams and friends can all find their own reason to visit.
That mixture is part of what gives the pub its energy.
A local isn’t simply somewhere you drink. At its best, it becomes somewhere you recognise people, hear familiar stories and gradually become part of the community.
Why Skehan’s Has Stayed Independent
Independent pubs face plenty of challenges, particularly in London.
Skehan’s has survived because it has remained relevant without losing its identity.
The pub can offer Thai food alongside Guinness, live music alongside live sport and a garden alongside its traditional bar.
Yet underneath all of that, the fundamentals haven’t changed.
It’s still a place where people come to meet.
It’s still family-run.
And it’s still a pub where you can walk in for a drink and end up chatting to someone you’ve never met before.
Discover a South London Local for Yourself
There are plenty of pubs across South London, and everyone will have their own idea of what makes a favourite.
For Skehan’s, it comes down to community, character and variety.
A proper pint of Guinness.
A game of pool or darts.
Authentic Thai food.
Live music.
A hidden garden.
Sport on the screens.
A quiz on Thursday.
And more than 25 years of family history behind it all.
So, if you’re exploring Pubs Peckham or looking for somewhere different from the usual high-street options, take the short journey to nearby Nunhead.
You might just find your new local.
FAQs
What makes a good pub in South London?
A good local pub usually combines a welcoming atmosphere with quality drinks, good food, entertainment and a genuine connection to its community. What matters most will depend on what each customer is looking for.
Is Skehan’s near Peckham?
Yes. Skehan’s is in Nunhead, approximately one mile from Peckham, making it an easy option for people looking beyond the main Peckham area.
Does Skehan’s serve Guinness?
Yes. Skehan’s serves Guinness and has been recognised in the Guinness Harp Guide, which celebrates pubs noted for their Guinness and pub culture.
Does Skehan’s have live music?
Yes. Skehan’s hosts live music and musical events throughout the week, including trad, folk, jam sessions, rock’n’roll, karaoke and live gigs.
Does Skehan’s serve food?
Yes. Chai’s Garden serves authentic Thai food daily, and customers can enjoy the menu either in the garden restaurant or inside the pub.
Does Skehan’s have a beer garden?
Yes. The pub has a distinctive multi-level garden with different seating areas, seasonal planting, Thai features and outdoor TVs.
Is Skehan’s a family-run pub?
Yes. Skehan’s is an independent family-run pub in Nunhead and has been part of the local community for more than 25 years.