Looking for a pub garden where there’s more to discover than a few tables and a patch of grass? Just a mile from Peckham, Skehan’s hidden garden in Nunhead is a characterful outdoor space with several levels, colourful planting, Thai features and plenty of history.
Tucked behind the pub, it’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. Step through from the main pub, however, and you’ll find a surprisingly spacious garden made up of different areas, each with its own feel.
A Pub Garden With Plenty of Character
Skehan’s garden isn’t one large, open space. Its different levels and sections create a mixture of sunny spots and more sheltered areas, giving visitors plenty of choice depending on the weather.
Some tables are perfect for making the most of a sunny afternoon, while other corners offer shade when you want to escape the heat.
The garden is also beautifully maintained throughout the year. Seasonal planting and colourful foliage give the space a constantly changing appearance, thanks to the care and attention of Skehan’s gardener.
It’s a relaxed setting, but look a little closer and you’ll discover that there’s a lot more going on.
Thai Huts, Antiques and Unexpected Details
One of the most unusual things about this pub garden is its connection with Chai’s Garden Thai Restaurant.
Madam Chai brought traditional Thai huts to the pub many years ago, and they have become an important part of the garden’s character. Alongside them you’ll find Thai antiques, ornaments and personal pieces collected over the years.
These aren’t carefully chosen decorations designed to create a particular theme. They’re part of the history of the people and businesses that have made Skehan’s what it is today.
Look around and you’ll find plenty of little details that reward a closer look.
A Garden With a Story Behind It
The garden has an interesting history of its own.
Before it became the peaceful outdoor space visitors enjoy today, part of the area was home to a barn where horses were stabled.
When Bill Skehan and Madam Chai first took over the pub, they faced the enormous task of renovating and transforming the premises. That old stable was eventually given a new purpose, helping to create the garden and outdoor spaces that are now such an important part of Skehan’s.
It’s hard to imagine horses being kept here today. The garden now feels like a natural extension of the pub, filled with plants, seating and places to relax with friends.
Looking for a Beer Garden in Peckham?
If you’ve been searching for a beer garden in Peckham, it’s worth looking slightly beyond the neighbourhood itself.
Skehan’s is in nearby Nunhead, approximately a mile from Peckham, making it an easy option when you want somewhere with a little more character.
Rather than a busy rooftop or a garden squeezed alongside a main road, you’ll find a tucked-away outdoor space with different areas to explore, while still having all the atmosphere of a proper independent pub.
It’s particularly appealing if you’re meeting friends who want something more than just an outdoor table.
You Can Even Watch the Match Outside
The garden isn’t just for sunny afternoons and leisurely pints.
Outdoor TVs mean you can keep up with the big games without giving up your place in the garden. Whether it’s Premier League football, rugby, GAA or another major sporting event, you can enjoy the match while sitting outside with friends.
That makes the garden particularly popular when a big fixture coincides with good weather.
And if you’re hungry, you don’t need to leave the garden to find something to eat. Chai’s Garden serves authentic Thai food, with the same menu available whether you choose to eat in the restaurant or enjoy your meal in the pub.
More Than Just a Place to Sit Outside
What makes Skehan’s garden memorable isn’t simply its size.
It’s the combination of everything you’ll find there: the different levels, mature planting, Thai huts, old antiques, outdoor TVs and the traces of its unusual past.
There’s also something very Skehan’s about the way the garden works. Families can settle in for an afternoon, friends can meet for drinks, customers can watch live sport and diners can enjoy Thai food, all within the same welcoming space.
When the weather is good, the garden becomes another part of the pub’s social life rather than simply somewhere to sit.
Discover Skehan’s Hidden Garden
If you’re looking for a pub garden near Peckham, make the short journey to Nunhead and take a look behind Skehan’s.
You might arrive expecting a pint in the sunshine and discover much more—a garden with a story, a collection of Thai treasures, beautiful seasonal planting and plenty of different spaces to enjoy.
It’s one of those places that’s easy to overlook from the outside, but once you’ve discovered it, you’ll understand why so many Skehan’s regulars make a beeline for the garden when the sun comes out.
FAQs
Does Skehan’s have a pub garden?
Yes. Skehan’s has a spacious hidden garden behind the pub, with several levels, different seating areas, seasonal planting and outdoor TVs.
Is Skehan’s garden near Peckham?
Yes. Skehan’s is located in nearby Nunhead, around one mile from Peckham, making it an easy option if you’re looking for a beer garden in Peckham or the surrounding area.
Can you watch sport in Skehan’s garden?
Yes. Outdoor TVs allow customers to watch selected live sporting events while enjoying the garden.
Does the garden have Thai features?
Yes. The garden includes Thai huts brought over by Madam Chai, along with Thai antiques and other personal pieces collected over the years.
Was Skehan’s garden always a garden?
No. Part of the space was once a barn used to stable horses. It was transformed when Bill Skehan and Madam Chai took over the pub.