On a brisk Wednesday morning in June 2025, artist Lydia Wood, 31, engaged in her quest to capture the essence of London’s pubs. Positioned beside a dumpster in Southwark, she meticulously set up her easel before the Lord Clyde, a charming pub that has been a fixture since 1913. As she began her work, locals like Emily Finch offered encouragement, bringing life to the scene.
Lydia’s ambitious goal is to draw every pub within the sprawling city, a task she estimates will take years. With around 300 completed and nearly 2,500 more to go, each drawing serves as a window into the cultural fabric of London’s nightlife. Known as a “pub person,” Lydia’s approach is spontaneous; she chooses her subjects based on instinct, weaving through neighborhoods with her sketchbook in hand.
This project not only showcases her artistic talent but also brings into light the underlying issues facing these establishments—rising rents, societal changes, and the threats to their existence. Through her work, Lydia Wood does more than document; she creates an archive that honors the important, yet often overlooked, role of pubs in the community landscape.
