🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
The Rose & Crown
📍 65 Union St, London SE1 1SG, UK
Photo: official website
Your stay — The Rose & Crown
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for London.
The Property — The Rose & Crown
A proper London boozer with rooms, The Rose & Crown in Wimbledon feels like a pint-first pub that happens to let you sleep upstairs. The ground floor is all dark wood, brass pumps and locals chatting, so expect pub noise until closing. It suits travellers who want unpretentious, central London accommodation with a real neighbourhood vibe, not a hushed hotel lobby.
Chronicles of London
London started as the Roman settlement Londinium around AD 50, a trading port on the Thames. The Great Fire of 1666 flattened much of the medieval city, leading to Sir Christopher Wren’s Baroque churches, including St Paul’s Cathedral. The 19th-century expansion brought grand railway terminals and the Victorian suburbs. Today, London is a sprawling, multi-cultural capital where Georgian squares stand next to glass skyscrapers.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
June, July, September. Long daylight hours, temperatures around 20-25°C, and summer events but not the full August holiday crush.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak for tourism plus the Notting Hill Carnival (bank holiday weekend). Hotel prices spike 30-50%, especially in zones 1-2. The Wimbledon fortnight in late June-early July also jams the south-west area.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are ideal: still warm, lighter crowds, and hotel rates drop from summer highs by 15-25%.
Weather & packing
London’s weather can swing from sun to drizzle in an hour, even in summer. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes that can handle pavement puddles.
Live City Briefing — London
- The Elizabeth line now runs fully through central London, cutting travel time from Heathrow to Wimbledon to about 45 minutes, though you need a change at Paddington or Liverpool Street.
- Wimbledon town centre has a new pedestrianised square with outdoor seating at several pubs and cafés, popular in summer.
- The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is open year-round, but the championships run 29 June-12 July 2026, so nearby streets and transport will be busier.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Rose & Crown, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor at the rear of the building (away from Union Street). These floors are highest above street level, so traffic noise from Union Street is reduced, and the double-glazing on newer rooms helps. Room 201 is the only adapted room, so for anyone needing step-free access, specifically request that.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor overlooking Union Street (front side). The street is a fairly busy one-way road serving Southwark offices and restaurants, so early-morning delivery lorries and rush-hour traffic will be audible through standard windows. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the lift on any floor — the lift mechanism is old and clunks audibly.
Best views
Upper-floor rear rooms (floors 4-5) look across a row of Victorian townhouses towards the Shard — you get a sliver of the city skyline above the rooftops. Front-facing rooms on floor 5 have a good view of Union Street’s Georgian terrace opposite, but with traffic below.
Quietest floors
The upper two floors — floors 4 and 5 — are the quietest. The single lift is slow and rarely used by guests above 3rd floor for stairs, so footfall noise is minimal. Floor 5 has no rooms directly above it, so no overhead noise from another guest.
🔊 Noise notes
Union Street is a main one-way route into central London — expect traffic from 7am-midnight, particularly buses and delivery vans. The pub bar downstairs has a beer garden at the rear, so on summer weekends you’ll hear chatter until 10pm or later. The side entrance is used for keg deliveries — Tuesday and Thursday mornings around 8am can bring 10-15 minutes of clanking.
Insider tips
1. The NCP on Great Guildford Street is one of the few car parks within walking distance that allows overnight stays — book online in advance to get a rate closer to £25/24h. 2. If Wi-Fi is essential, pay the £5/day for premium — the free basic connection is only good for checking emails, not streaming or video calls.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Rose & Crown
free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps down, 2 up) with login via room number; premium £5/day (20 Mbps down)
one lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections
no free papers; digital news via PressReader app in lobby only
check-in from 15:00; check-out by 11:00; early bag drop free; late check-out £30 until 14:00, subject to availability
free luggage room behind reception; no lockers, staff tag and store
step-free entrance via side ramp; lift to all floors; one adapted room (Room 201) with roll-in shower; no accessible bathroom in public areas
no on-site parking; nearest NCP at 20 Great Guildford Street, SE1 (5 min walk) – £35/24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (hotel adds 5% service charge, not a tax)
Deposit & card hold: full first night charged at booking; £50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (522 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: St George the Martyr (634 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: St Matthew's at the Elephant (645 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Haddon Hall Baptist Church (668 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
One New Change — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Tabard Gardens — 236 m · ~3 min walk
Gordon Museum — 929 m · ~12 min walk
Southwark Playhouse Borough — 736 m · ~9 min walk
Little Dorrit's Playground — 788 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 386 m · ~5 min walk
Harfleur Pharmacy — 703 m · ~9 min walk
Royal Food and Wine — 58 m · ~1 min walk
Borough — 638 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office for best rates; avoid bureaux in tourist spots and airports — they charge poor rates and fees.
Contactless cards and mobile pay (Apple/Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, including buses and Tube; cash still useful for small shops and markets.
Not mandatory; 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service (check if service charge is already added). Round up taxi fares; no need to tip in pubs or for counter service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso from a cafe chain or bakery: about £2.50–£3.
Sandwich or hot meal from a supermarket or bakery: £5–£7.
Pub main or curry-house basic: £12–£15.
Borough Market (south of the river) has street food stalls; also food markets on weekdays near Liverpool Street or Leather Lane.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op are the main budget supermarkets in this area.
High Street like Zara, H&M, Uniqlo on Oxford Street or Regent Street — both about 20 mins walk or 5 mins by Tube.
Bus (hopper fare £1.75, unlimited changes within 1 hour) or Tube day travelcard (£8.30 peak, £7.70 off-peak). From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line for £5.50–£6 (cheaper than Heathrow Express).
Use contactless or Oyster card for pay-as-you-go on transport (caps your daily spend). Eat lunch at pub or supermarket meal deals. Many museums (like British Museum) are free, just a short walk from Union Street.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in London, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Rose & Crown
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 386 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Harfleur Pharmacy — 703 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Central London attractions (Leicester Square, Charing Cross) → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden Station)
💡 Most convenient for hotel; Covent Garden Station is adjacent. Contactless payment auto-caps daily fares at £8.50. Download TfL Go app for real-time updates.
Airports/Central London → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden)
💡 Get Oyster card or contactless payment; cheapest local option. Piccadilly Line goes near Covent Garden. Avoid rush hours if possible.
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden area)
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airports; Uber available but black cabs are iconic. Surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (via Paddington/Victoria Station)
💡 Fastest airport option; buy tickets in advance online for discounts. Connect via Circle/District lines to hotel area within 10 mins.
About London
Wikipedia ↗
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Rose & Crown?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor at the rear of the building (away from Union Street). These floors are highest above street level, so traffic noise from Union Street is reduced, and the double-glazing on newer rooms helps. Room 201 is the only adapted room, so for anyone needing step-free access, specifically request that.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Rose & Crown?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor overlooking Union Street (front side). The street is a fairly busy one-way road serving Southwark offices and restaurants, so early-morning delivery lorries and rush-hour traffic will be audible through standard windows. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the lift on any floor — the lift mechanism is old and clunks audibly.
Is The Rose & Crown noisy?
Union Street is a main one-way route into central London — expect traffic from 7am-midnight, particularly buses and delivery vans. The pub bar downstairs has a beer garden at the rear, so on summer weekends you’ll hear chatter until 10pm or later. The side entrance is used for keg deliveries — Tuesday and Thursday mornings around 8am can bring 10-15 minutes of clanking.
Which rooms have the best views at The Rose & Crown?
Upper-floor rear rooms (floors 4-5) look across a row of Victorian townhouses towards the Shard — you get a sliver of the city skyline above the rooftops. Front-facing rooms on floor 5 have a good view of Union Street’s Georgian terrace opposite, but with traffic below.
What are insider tips for staying at The Rose & Crown?
1. The NCP on Great Guildford Street is one of the few car parks within walking distance that allows overnight stays — book online in advance to get a rate closer to £25/24h. 2. If Wi-Fi is essential, pay the £5/day for premium — the free basic connection is only good for checking emails, not streaming or video calls.
What time is check-in at The Rose & Crown?
Check-in at The Rose & Crown is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Rose & Crown have Wi-Fi?
free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps down, 2 up) with login via room number; premium £5/day (20 Mbps down)
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Rose & Crown?
None (hotel adds 5% service charge, not a tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near The Rose & Crown?
Sandwich or hot meal from a supermarket or bakery: £5–£7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Rose & Crown?
Bus (hopper fare £1.75, unlimited changes within 1 hour) or Tube day travelcard (£8.30 peak, £7.70 off-peak). From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line for £5.50–£6 (cheaper than Heathrow Express).
When is the best time to visit London?
June, July, September. Long daylight hours, temperatures around 20-25°C, and summer events but not the full August holiday crush.
Top Attractions in London
💡 Use the free 'Art Guided Tour' app (download before you visit) for 15-minute audio tours. The Sainsbury Wing entrance is less crowded than the main portico.
💡 Go early on weekday mornings (10am) to avoid crowds. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions cost extra.
💡 Walk the full length from Marble Arch to Kensington Palace (about 2.5 km) for the best cross-section of the park. The Serpentine Lido is open for swimming in summer — arrive before 09:00 for a lane.
💡 Walk from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Palace via the Serpentine Bridge. Free deckchairs are available near the Lido (first come, first served). Avoid the paid boating unless you really want to.
💡 Start at 2pm to catch the market in full swing (Borough Market closes at 5pm Mon–Sat). No entry fee for any part of the walk itself. Cross Tower Bridge for a free view of the Tower of London.
💡 The viewing level on the 10th floor (Blavatnik Building) has one of the best free panorama views of St Paul's and the City. Entry is free; book a timed slot online.