Home > London > SW11 > The Cedars The Cedars

Picture source: Darkstar

The Cedars was situated at 5 Lavender Hill. This pub was called Amnesia at time of closure, and is now used as a restaurant.

Having moved away from London in 1976, or thereabouts, it appears many things have changed, understandably so. Many of my best memories stem from my years in Battersea, especially those of a socialising nature. I remember specifically a visit to the "Cedars" one early evening. I was saying farewell to a friend who had lived in London for a few years but was moving back to his native Glasgow, due to his father's death. The plan was to wave him off on his bus taking him up town to catch the train back. As we arrived at the bus stop we saw the back of the bus =disappearing up Wandsworth Road. We stood at the empty stop and glanced at the inviting sign of the pub just opposite. "Hmm, time for a swift one before the next bus?", there was no contest, so across the road we went. We were both seventeen, going on eighteen and, par for the course at that time (1973 / 4), we were fairly hardened drinkers. We both knew there was a danger in us being in a pub before the next bus arrived, so we decided to take it easy. We saw small bottles of beer on the ledge behind the counter. "What's that?" we asked the publican. "It's called Barley Wine, it's a sort of sweet beer', he replied. The mention of the word "beer" sold us/. However, they were very small bottles, so we ordered two each. I don't know if you've ever tried Barley Wine, but suffice to say.....it's potent (between 6 -12% -depending). Need less to say we never got my friend on the next bus....or the next.....or the.........Well. I'm sure you get the piucture. Fond, if blurry, memories of the Cedars!

Graham Strachan (December 2020)

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on

Contacts

Were you a customer, publican or member of staff at this pub? Display your email contact details on this page by adding them here and let past regulars get in touch with you.

Name	Dates	Comments
Brendan Heaphy	1968	My brother Sean was a barman in the cedars he died aged 43 suddenly.
J Hodges	1977