The Trafalgar. Perhaps better known as the Traf. Your local pub. It provides an important social connecting point for so many locals and has done since 1868. This make the Traf the Wimbledon’s oldest freehouse and one of the oldest in the borough. In its current incarnation, the Traf is a community asset to all. It hasn’t always been the welcoming spot it is today — it was once known for a rough crowd and nicknamed the “Threepenny Hop” after men leaving the now-demolished Merton Abbey railway station would hop the fence to grab a pint.
The building itself dates back even further, all the way to 1854 and it is the smallest pub in Merton. It is one of the few surviving Victorian buildings in the area and thus serves as a reminder to any how High Path might’ve looked so long ago. This is particularly noticeable given the large and modern looking apartment blocks and Harris Academy surrounding it.
The team at the Traf are dedicated to their craft. Consistently providing excellent quality beer, wines, and, most importantly, conversations. This dedication has been recognised in their winning the CAMRA South West London pub of the year award in 2024 and 2026, the CAMRA South West London Cider pub of the year in 2025, and was named in the Telegraph’s top 500 pubs in England. All obtained after only being re-opened for 3 years!
Unfortunately, the Traf is in trouble. While the current owners of the freehold have not found success in their plans to demolish the Traf and replace it, its future is still not certain.
The removal of our beloved pub would strip away a cherished landmark and cause irreparable damage to the very fabric of our community, eroding the unique spirit that makes our neighbourhood so special. This is what we are trying to prevent.
That’s where this Community Benefit Society (CBS) has come in. In order to secure the Traf for current and future community members and visitors, this CBS has been established to purchase the freehold of the Traf.
This is no easy task and will require substantial work from all of us. We are ever hopeful that it will be possible and we can secure the Traf for current and future generations.
The Traf in the News and Other Media
Trafalgar Freehouse pub south Wimbledon demolition plans blocked – Your Local Guardian – 2025.05.16
The Trafalgar in South Wimbledon pub fight from demolition – Your Local Guardian – 2025.08.08
Threatened iconic London pub handed lifeline after months of uncertainty – The Standard – 2025.10.30
London Pub Map on X – The Trafalgar – 2026.01.12
CAMRA – Pubs and Clubs – The Trafalgar
The Trafalgar in the London Beer Guide – 2026.02.16
Trafalgar: High Path, South Wimbledon – Merton Memories Photographic Archive. Photo from c. 1953
