On a recent Wednesday morning in southeast London, artist Lydia Wood positioned her easel beside a dumpster, preparing to capture her latest subject.
She applied sunscreen and took in the view of The Lord Clyde, a historic Southwark pub established in 1913 just south of the River Thames. For the next hour, Wood meticulously sketched, shifting her gaze between the pub’s distinctive tiled facade and her drawing pad.
A passerby on an early lunch break, Emily Finch, stopped and exclaimed, “Oh wow, that’s so good!”
Wood responded modestly, “Thank you. I still have a long way to go.”
This sentiment reflects both the scale of her project and its deeper significance. At 31, Wood is undertaking an ambitious endeavor to illustrate every pub in London. So far, she has completed around 300, with roughly 2,500 more to go, based on data from a research consultancy tracking the city’s pubs.
Her ongoing work has attracted tens of thousands of followers on social media and offers a window into the challenges facing London pubs, from soaring rents and noise complaints to shifting social habits such as the rise of the sober-curious movement. Finch mentioned that The Lord Clyde has become one of her favorite local spots, especially since many other neighborhood pubs have closed.
This reality raises questions about whether Wood’s illustrations serve as a celebration, an archival record, or a memorial for pubs at risk of disappearing.
Alistair von Lion, a pub historian and tour guide, reflected on the potential poignancy of Wood’s project, noting the likelihood that many pubs will shutter by the time she completes her work.
Public houses in Britain trace their origins back nearly two millennia to Roman wine bars known as tabernae. These roadside inns evolved into taverns, favoring British ales over wine, and eventually became neighborhood hubs.
Over centuries, pubs have served as crucial social spaces—hosting first dates, after-work gatherings, celebrations, and quiet moments. They function as living rooms, gathering spots, and communal dining tables for countless Londoners.
Wood, who identifies as a “pub person,” chooses her subjects spontaneously, wandering across the city. She emphasizes that even the less glamorous pubs hold significance. “To someone,” she mused in her studio, “a modest, fringe-of-London pub could be the most important place in the world.”
Having grown up drawing in London and studied art at Goldsmiths, Wood views this as a long-term commitment—more than a series of sketches, it is a decades-spanning documentation. Weather permitting, she aims to complete two to three drawings each week.
“I’m essentially embarking on a 30-year project,” she said, carefully shading a section of brickwork and adjusting a line with her eraser.
Before the pandemic, Wood taught art classes. When those stopped, she began sketching pubs to supplement her income, selling drawings via social media in 2020 for approximately £40 each. The demand quickly grew as friends and followers requested portraits of their local pubs.
The project’s success transformed it into Wood’s full-time career. She now charges around £380 for original A4-sized drawings, while prints are available for under £50. Additionally, she produces pub-themed calendars, marketing them as year-round pub crawls.
Although she occasionally accepts commissions, most originals sell rapidly due to the loyal patrons associated with each pub.
Wood dedicates at least a full day to each piece, regardless of the establishment’s popularity or condition.
“I wanted to bring all pubs onto an equal footing,” she explained. While aware of the pressures London’s pubs face, her greatest concern lies with the overlooked or forgotten venues—those rarely visited or unnoticed by many.
According to recent figures, London’s pub count has fallen from over 3,000 before the pandemic to about 2,800 today. The pandemic accelerated a decline already underway due to factors such as rising rents and competition from large chains. The shift toward home drinking and digital entertainment has also played a role.
Michael Kill, chief executive of a trade association representing nightlife venues, highlighted economics as the main challenge: as drink prices climb, patrons either reduce their consumption or opt for cheaper supermarket alternatives at home despite the social isolation.
Outside The Lord Clyde, a small crowd gathered to watch Wood finalize her outline. Adam Colebrooke-Taylor, a former firefighter turned instructor, shared that the pub holds a special place for generations of London firefighters who trained nearby and often ended their shifts there.
“This pub is part of London Fire Brigade folklore,” he said, a sentiment echoed by colleague Naomi Simington.
Among the onlookers was 22-year-old Iona Davidson, who recognized Wood from her signature red stool featured in her videos. “I never imagined I’d see her drawing a pub in person,” she remarked.
Wood’s profile has risen recently with a January exhibition of her work and multiple publishers vying for her book proposal in April. Fans often suggest pubs for her to capture.
“I think I actually recommended you draw this one,” said Daniel Wright, a fan who spotted her while heading out for lunch.
Wood looked up with a delighted smile. “Oh, thank you so much!”
Wright described The Lord Clyde—with its lively patio, diverse craft beer selection, and classic interior—as the quintessential London pub. He also expressed concern that rising living costs have pushed many away from these community spaces.
“This project is an archive of places that matter deeply,” he said. “The most meaningful conversations often happen in pubs; they serve as milestones in our memories.”
As Wood continued sketching, she raced against the approaching evening crowd that would soon obscure the intricate details unique to The Lord Clyde.
By 6 p.m., her hand began to cramp and the pub filled with patrons. She added finishing touches, including a pigeon perched on the roof, tilting its head just right.
Satisfied, Wood stepped back and said, “I’m happy with it.” She then joined the crowd inside for a well-earned pint.
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