For years, we’ve stared at the late Victorian plaque at the top of this building and wondered why no-one considered its original moniker during its many recent incarnations.
Until this week, that is, with the news that the First Restaurant Group, who run Hampstead’s Oak & Poppy, as well as half a dozen pubs across central and West London, were confirmed as new owners.
“We’re very excited to be opening our sixth pub-and-rooms in Kentish Town (formerly the Lady Hamilton),” said managing director Mitch Tillman. “We will be reverting back to the pub’s original name from 1885 – ‘The Old Farmhouse’ – and will be bringing a rustic style back with ‘cosy farmhouse style’ pub interiors which will extend upstairs to the boutique bedrooms.”
Originally known as the Star & Garter, in 1885 the pub was rebuilt into its present form with striking Victorian red brick exterior. Rechristened The Old Farm House, it enjoyed a reign of a century or so before being renamed O’Reilly’s at the turn of the millennium (with a short stint in the 1990s as Dolly Fossetts).
Its history is imprinted into the architecture, not simply in its façade but also in the two prominent plaques on its exterior walls – one marking its time as The Old Farm House, and another noting that it was rebuilt in 1885.
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Irish pub O’Reilly’s held strong from 2001 until the mid-teens before a short-lived takeover by Camden Brewery which, though stylishly minimal inside, stalled after a couple of years. It just couldn’t compete with the much bigger Camden Brewery a few minutes’ walk away.
Rescued by the owners of The Pineapple and Tapping The Admiral and renamed Lady Hamilton, most locals agreed they finally got the vibe right, with its homely interior of dusky Victorian burgundies, comfy leather seats, and dark wood finishes. Even the name was quirky and clever.
But that incarnation failed sadly last summer. So now it’s full circle back to the Old Farmhouse: work will start on the pub in August with the pub reopening in early October, bedrooms to follow early 2025.
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