If you’re heading to Selhurst Park for a match or just exploring the Crystal Palace area and want a decent pint, here’s your go-to guide. We’ve evaluated pubs by proximity, fan-friendliness, matchday atmosphere, amenities, and reputation to bring you the top picks near the ground.
Pub Density & Context: Why your local selection matters
London remains a pub-lover’s city, but the total number of pubs is under pressure. In 2023 there were 3,535 pubs in London, a slight increase in total employment, but with fewer individual venues, indicating that surviving pubs are getting larger. Between 2022 and 2023, London lost about 40 pubs, shrinking from 3,575 to 3,535.
This means every pub near a football stadium becomes more critical, so less “margin for error” in terms of crowding, service delays, or closure. In our selection, priority goes to pubs that balance capacity, accessibility, and character.
| Metric | London 2023 | Trend | Relevance to Selhurst pubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total pubs | 3,535 | Slight decline vs prior years | Local pubs must sustain heavier peak traffic |
| Employment in pubs | ~49,000 | Highest on record | Larger venues with more staff cope better on matchdays |
| Average pub closures | ~40 in year | Net loss | Highlights risk to smaller or marginal pubs |
Top Pubs Around Selhurst Park (Ranked)
The Clifton Arms
- Distance: ~2-minute walk from the stadium
- Why go: This is often named the unofficial “home pub” on matchdays. The vibe is electric, staff keep queues moving, and its beer garden handles overflow.
- Notes: Be aware that after a certain time, entry may be restricted to season-ticket holders.
The Holmesdale
- Distance: Near Selhurst Station (a short walk)
- Why go: Supporters rate it for its atmosphere and decent beer variety, even when crowded, wait times tend to stay acceptable (~5 minutes).
- Notes: Slightly further walk than Clifton, but often less crushed.
The White Horse, Selhurst
- Distance: Very close by (in Selhurst)
- Why go: A local favourite with 4 HD screens, live sport, darts, pool and a solid beer garden. Good fallback if closer pubs are full.
- Notes: More casual / community-pub feel rather than ultra match-day venue.
The Cherry Tree (Norwood Junction)
- Distance: Accessible via a short walk from Norwood Junction station
- Why go: Many fans vote this before-game favourite. It has a nice garden and is often praised in fan discussions.
- Notes: More of a warm-up pub than one right on top of the stadium.
Away-Friendly Options: The Prince George & Railway Telegraph
- Distance: In Thornton Heath, ~10–15 minute walk
- Why go: These are known to welcome away supporters, making them safe bets for visiting fans.
- Notes: Walks are longer, but these spots often avoid overcapacity or “home only” restrictions.
Why we chose these pubs
- Proximity – We prioritized pubs within 10 minutes’ walk to avoid long treks on a busy matchday.
- Capacity & layout – Venues with beer gardens or more space help absorb crowd surges.
- Supporter-friendly policies – Some pubs block entry to non-holders or rival fans; we filtered those out unless reliably “away-friendly.”
- Reputation & consistency – Choices are backed by fan testimonials, guides, and matchday feedback (e.g. Clifton repeatedly tops lists)
- Amenities & ambience – TVs, garden, darts, beer variety all count when your pre-match pint matters.
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