If Santa fancied stopping off for a swift half while doing his rounds this Christmas, we've found the perfect place.
Buried under a mountain of 57 brightly lit Christmas trees, 11,500 lights and 90 hanging flower baskets, in total costing over £30,000, the Churchill Arms pub in Kensington, London, is certainly hard to miss.
The cheerful boozer, a stone's throw from Notting Hilll Gate, has used Christmas decorations and an all year round outdoor flower show to attract punters for nearly 30 years, says 63-year-old Irish-born manger Gerry O'Brien.
The Churchill Arms pub in West London covered in Christmas lights and decorations
The Churchill Arms in Kensington, London, which has 57 Christmas trees attached to the building, 11,500 lights and 90 hanging flower baskets
‘I love creating and thinking. All year around I try and create something that will attract people when they’re passing by,’ said Mr O’Brien, who’s been running the pub for close to three decades.
When he first took over the pub, Christmas decorations amounted to one 16 feet tree attached to the exterior of the building.
But since then flowers, lights and artistic licence have steadily grown.
‘The flowers and the plants started off with a few baskets in the beginning – I thought we must put up another couple the following year,' said Mr O'Brien.
‘Four or five years ago we ended up with well over 30 Christmas trees, but last year we had 50 - we went a little crazy - and this year we beat the record with 57. There’s no room for any more.'
He added: ‘I don’t think anyone passes this pub without stopping to take photographs whether it’s spring, summer or autumn - we have terrific display. Christmas is such a special time.'
The memorabilia-laden interior of the Churchill arms which has a dazzling outdoor Christmas light display
Punters enjoying a drink at the Churchill Arms pub
Santa inside the West London pub which is famous for its tree and light display
The Churchill Arms with its 57 Christmas trees, left, and, right, landlord Gerry O'Brien
Visual appeal comes at a price, Mr O’Brien says, with year round decoration expenditure including Christmas costing over £30,000, and £25,000 alone splashed on flowers. However, he sees it as an investment, and insists electricity bills are not pushed too high by the light show.
‘It brings in a huge amount of business. People hear about it, ring us up and want to know: “Are they up? When will they be lit?”’. We’ve got people coming from God-knows-where to have a look at them.'
The pub’s festive display takes two men four to five days to construct, according to the landlord.
The boozer, which was built in 1750, acquired its name after the Second World War because Winston Churchill ‘s grandparents were regular customers.
