Very close to Ladbroke Grove tube station, the pub was built in the mid-1860s in the "Kensington Italianate" style and still has an attractive Victorian carved timber frontage in polished red granite.
After a period of closure, the former KPH reopened as the Knight of Notting Hill in September 2023. It is the second free house pub from Zora Singh, who also opened Three Falcons "desi pub" in St John's Wood. There has been a general refit throughout, including new banquette seating, marble-topped tables and a new sound system for anticipated gigs. It is intended that the pub’s tradition as a live music venue will continue, with events featuring rappers, singers and DJs.
The food menu (posted outside the pub) has a faintly Indian flavour.
This entry is being made on opening day and further detail remains to be infilled. The ale handpumps are reported unused.
Historic Interest
This pub was a wartime favourite of Timothy Evans, later wrongly convicted and hanged for the Rillington Place serial murders. The actual serial killer John Christie had a stint as a barman in the pub. The miscarriage of justice was a main factor leading to the abolition of capital punishment. Known as an Irish pub in earlier decades and the KPH initials are jokingly said to have meant "Keep Paddy Happy". Also said to have been the HQ of those instigating the Notting Hill race riots of 1958. Later, the pub hosted singer Tom Jones's first London gig.
Knight of Notting Hill, Notting Hill