Although this pub is neither a listed building nor on CAMRA’s Inventory, it is an interesting place and CAMRA’s WhatPub description is as follows: “Built in 1972 as part of the Hyde Park Estate, the one room bar interior whilst spacious has the cosy feel of a Swiss chalet. A silver birch shelters the adjacent beer-garden, heated in winter. As well as cask ale (two in Winter otherwise Rosie's Cider) there's a range of bottled and draft (keg) craft ales available. Three large screens await your sporting interest: the sound levels are kept moderately low and reasonably unobtrusive. There is a downstairs Thai restaurant; it supplies the food in the bar. The internationally-famous Handlebar Club meets here on the first Friday of the month. The club was founded in 1947 in the dressing room of comedian Jimmy Edwards at The Windmill Theatre in London. There were 10 founder members, including Jimmy Edwards and script-writer and raconteur Frank Muir. The Heron has pictures from the Handlebar Club's history adorning its walls, plus a good range of interior fittings from the nearby now-closed Windsor Castle, the Club's previous home. HISTORIC INTEREST: The pub is built at the foot of the Water Gardens Estate, a 1960s luxury gated development designed by Trehearne and Norman, Preston and Partners for the Church Commissioners. Originally belonging to the Bishop of London, the Hyde Park Estate triangular area saw considerable development in the 19th century, passing to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1836. World War II damage led to re-building post-war to the general plan of Charles Anthony Minoprio (designer of the Whitgift Centre Croydon, planner of Crawley and other town and city plans and masterplans in the UK and overseas). Many of the early-19th century terraces were demolished starting in 1957, to be replaced by high density yet expensive private housing in partnership with Wates, property companies controlled by Max Rayne, and Basil & Howard Samuel. While neither the pub nor the Water Gardens are listed, they are adjacent to the Bayswater Conservation Area.”

The WhatPub link is here: WhatPub/Heron

The Heron featured on the Grand Pubs Near the Grand Union Canal: Evening Pub Tour of Maida Vale, Tyburnia and Paddington on 6 December 2023.