This pub is not only a grade II listed building, it is also a Three Star pub on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) National Inventory with an interior of outstanding national historic importance, and the description is as follows: "This is one of the most exotic confections among London’s pubs and was built in 1896 by the prolific pub architect, W M Brutton. Inside one can still get a good sense of how a lavish late-Victorian pub was organised and fitted up. Down both sides are tiled corridors that led into various drinking areas – you have to visualise every external or corridor door leading into a separate room or compartment. These were all served across a large, central counter with rounded ends. In the middle of this servery is a delightful island bar-back with delicate detail and an especially attractive octagonal display feature. Also note the etched glass in the outside windows and internal screens, the timber and plaster arches straddling the servery, the filigree of its supporting brackets, and the lovely friezes of various patterns and sizes.

The original spaces would have been relatively small for the most part, especially on the right-hand side. However, at the back is a large, long room with skylights that would probably have served as a billiard room, a feature that was common in many large late-Victorian pubs. The screen between it and the rest of the pub is magnificent with etched panels decorated with swags of foliage, ribbons, etc. Note the difference in quality between the original etched glass and the modern replacements. A refurbishment took place in 2002. This was done quite sympathetically with the only major change being the creation of an opening in the screen at the front to allow movement from one side of the pub to the other.

A further refurbishment in 2015 has added more modern items such as stone-like tiling on parts of the floor and modern tiling above the Victorian bar back; fridges have replaced the lower bar back shelves. Typical of London pubs, areas can be reserved so at times you cannot visit all parts of the pub."

The listing description is as follows: "II 1896 by W M Brutton, a prolific designer of public houses. Perhaps his masterpiece and his least altered interior. Florid symmetrical composition; brashness of detail typical of late 19th century gin palace.

Red brick with stucco ornamentation. Slate roof.

Central portion three windows three-storeys, steep hipped roof rising to a dome. Large decorated lucarne over second floor windows, bears inscription "The Kings Head". First floor three pairs of French windows open on to verandah with iron balustrade and ogee roof. Ground floor splayed bay with entrance to bar. Flanking portion each side two-storeys plus mansard with pointed dormer behind balustrade. Wings each side 1 1/2-storeys, one window, ramped parapet pierced by a bull's-eye window on the left. Right wing a facade only; first floor window is blank with inscription "Rebuilt 1896".

Interior rich with cut brilliant glass, patterned tiles and wrought iron."

The WhatPub link is here: WhatPub/King's Head

The Pub Heritage Group link is here: PHG/King's Head

The Kings Head featured on the Daytime Crawl of SW17, SW18 and SW11 on 16 October 2004.