Camden Market's first ever pub is to close after just three years - citing the "seasonal tourist-heavy" nature of the area.
The Farrier opened in Stables Market's North Yard during the pandemic and has gone on to build a reputation for great cocktails and epic Sunday roasts.
Now, it will close its doors on November 3rd as the team explore fresh opportunities and seek new locations for neighbourhood sites with the goal of serving a more local audience.
“We're incredibly proud of what the team has achieved with The Farrier, especially launching during the challenges of the pandemic and becoming a valued part of Camden's vibrant tapestry," said George Hartshorn, the Farrier's co-owner.
"While it’s bittersweet to close this chapter, we’re excited to rebuild and bring our hospitality offering to new neighbourhoods across London."
Until the closure, The Farrier will continue to run its Monday-Saturday lunch and dinner services, and has just launched 'London's Biggest Sunday Roast Menu'.
Running from October 6th the choice of 10 different lunches will be served in the Grade II* listed former stables complex and 'Horse Hospital' - built by the railways in the 1880s to house horses hauling wares the goods yard.
On our visit on Sunday, the cobbled yard and iron beamed, brick vaulted Victorian pub was full of weekend tourists tucking into The Farrier's huge roasts at wooden scrub-top tables.
It may be impossible to score a parking spot within a half mile radius, but the warm informal atmosphere, delicious food, and well chosen wine list would cheer anyone up.
Under the direction of Head Chef Jake Perry the incoming Sunday menu will boast nine different cuts of meat, game and poultry and one plant based smoked beetroot and walnut wellington.
All are served on a plate groaning with imaginative trimmings that come together in a glorious flavour explosion; sharp pickled red cabbage, roasted honey carrots, the creamiest celeriac puree, charred hispi cabbage, and garlic and rosemary bone marrow potatoes.
They are topped off by a crisp Yorkshire pud and a puddle of glossy brown Guinness gravy. The plates ranging from £18.50-£27.50 are a meal in themselves, although the Sunday sides of the likes of brown butter colcannon, harissa roasted squash with whipped goats cheese, and a hearty bowl of cauli and broccoli cheese may tempt you.
The 28 day aged Hereford beef picanha came as folds of tender meat paired with a generous but not overpowering dollop of horseradish cream.
The Creedy Calver duck was cooked to pink perfection and yielded beautifully under the knife.
Other options included Gloucester Old Spot pork belly with toffee apple sauce and a roast saddle of rabbit.
Both will be on the menu throughout October with additions of lamb, a 'game bird of the week' (pigeon, partridge, pheasant, mallard, snipe, grouse, guinea fowl) and rare breed meat of the week, courtesy of family run British butchers, HG Walter.
We also enjoyed a pint of Camden Hells and very decent reds by the glass. Plenty of folk were also tucking into The Farrier's signature cocktails including the Sunday roast special - a smoked tomato Bloody Mary.
The Farrier is at 87/88 North Yard, Stables Market. Sunday lunches are served 1-5pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here