Located at the junction of Effra Road and Water Lane, the George Canning was once a proud Victorian public house, named after Britain’s shortest-serving Prime Minister. Built in 1896, it replaced an earlier 1820s pub and quickly became a familiar landmark in Brixton Hill, known for its decorative glazed tiles and prominent position at a major London bus terminus.
The building’s ceramic tilework, particularly around the windows and entrance, exemplified the late 19th-century style – both practical and ornamental. Designed to withstand the soot and grime of city life, the tiled facade gave the pub a bold identity that made it easily recognisable to locals and commuters alike.
For decades, the George Canning served as a bustling stop for passengers using the London General Omnibus Company routes. Its name and elegant frontage became a key part of Brixton’s urban fabric.
Though it no longer trades under the original name, the building lives on today as Hootananny Brixton, a well-loved live music venue and pub. While the function has changed, the historic structure – and some of the original tilework – remains a testament to the area’s rich social and architectural heritage.
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