Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Shuts Its Doors After Nearly 200 Years

One of London’s most recognisable pubs, Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, has closed for good, marking the end of an era for the north-west London neighbourhood that shares its name. Despite local efforts to keep it going, the pub served its last pint on Saturday, 1 February, leaving long-time regulars and residents reflecting on what’s been lost.

The pub wasn’t just any old boozer—it’s been a fixture on Finchley Road since the 1830s and gave the entire area, as well as the nearby Underground station, its name. What made Ye Olde Swiss Cottage stand out even more was its unusual design: an Alpine-style chalet plonked right in the middle of a busy London junction, just off the A41. It might’ve seemed like an odd fit, but it quickly became a local landmark, with the tube station that opened in 1868 taking its name from the pub.

According to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the pub was first built in 1830, replacing an older building called Lausanne Cottage. Rumour has it that Charles II once used the site as a hunting lodge, though whether that’s fact or just local folklore is up for debate. Either way, Ye Olde Swiss Cottage was more than just a spot for a pint—it was a slice of local history.

The closure hasn’t gone unnoticed. Speaking to the Camden New Journal, Labour councillor Nina de Ayala Parker said, “When we lose pubs, we lose culture. Pubs aren’t just about having a drink; they’re social spaces, and Ye Olde Swiss was that for so many.” She added, “Right in the middle of Swiss Cottage’s busy roads, it was a little slice of merriness. It’s sad to see it go, and I know many South Hampstead residents will feel the same.”

Sadly, Ye Olde Swiss Cottage is just the latest in a long line of pub closures across the capital. Since the pandemic, over 3,000 pubs, clubs, and bars have shut their doors in London. Rising energy bills, steep rents, and shifting drinking habits—especially among younger generations—have made it tough for traditional pubs to survive. The closure of this pub feels like part of a bigger story about how London’s social spaces are changing.

For many locals, the loss of Ye Olde Swiss Cottage is more than just the disappearance of a place to grab a pint—it’s the fading of a familiar face in the neighbourhood, a reminder of how quickly things can change.

Since the closure, organisations like CAMRA – Campaign for Real Ale have continued to advocate for protecting historic pubs like Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, hoping to raise awareness about the cultural importance of the pub industry.

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