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Alastair Hilton

@London_W4 • 90,923 subscribers

I’m a photographer in London, living on a narrowboat. If you haven’t bought my book The Greatest Pubs, your life isn’t complete. Click the link to buy.

Shorts

Found my daughter and her boat and we’ve pulled her in to the bank and secured her boat. You don’t get that living in a house: waking up to find your home isn’t where it was when you went to sleep. The speed of the river is incredible. Just trying to pull the boat in, took all mine and a very kind stranger who was there, strength. Watching the river and loads of fish jumping out. I’ve realised the poor things are dying as they can’t breathe in all the mud and silt that’s in the water. Anyway, an exciting morning which I didn’t want. Things could have been much worse as you’ll see from my video of another narrowboat that’s underwater. Daughter is safe though, thank goodness, so now it’s time for a full English breakfast.

Found my daughter and her boat and we’ve pulled her in to the bank and secured her boat. You don’t get that living in a house: waking up to find your home isn’t where it was when you went to sleep. The speed of the river is incredible. Just trying to pull the boat in, took all mine and a very kind stranger who was there, strength. Watching the river and loads of fish jumping out. I’ve realised the poor things are dying as they can’t breathe in all the mud and silt that’s in the water. Anyway, an exciting morning which I didn’t want. Things could have been much worse as you’ll see from my video of another narrowboat that’s underwater. Daughter is safe though, thank goodness, so now it’s time for a full English breakfast.

523,429 views

A walk through Mortlake today and this dealer has some really rather gorgeous classic cars for sale, but I seem to have woken up in an alternate universe. When did a pagoda roof Mercedes become £135,000?! They were about £25,000 when I last looked.

A walk through Mortlake today and this dealer has some really rather gorgeous classic cars for sale, but I seem to have woken up in an alternate universe. When did a pagoda roof Mercedes become £135,000?! They were about £25,000 when I last looked.

22,769 views

They’re still building. By the time they’ve finished, it’ll be time to knock the first load of apartments down and start again. The back side of Battersea Power Station today, with a glimpse of one of the iconic chimneys.

They’re still building. By the time they’ve finished, it’ll be time to knock the first load of apartments down and start again. The back side of Battersea Power Station today, with a glimpse of one of the iconic chimneys.

22,628 views

Walking home and as I passed this place, I noticed a warm glow emanating from it, so I thought I’d go in and investigate. Turns out that it’s a pub.

Walking home and as I passed this place, I noticed a warm glow emanating from it, so I thought I’d go in and investigate. Turns out that it’s a pub.

3,591,235 views

What a gorgeous village this is. Montacute in Somerset. Almost every house is made from beautiful Ham Stone, quarried from the local quarry on Ham Hill. I’ve discovered the village pub, The Phelips Arms and had a most pleasant lunch here. This village square appeared in the film Sense and Sensibility, filmed in May 1995, which unbelievably, was 31 years ago.

What a gorgeous village this is. Montacute in Somerset. Almost every house is made from beautiful Ham Stone, quarried from the local quarry on Ham Hill. I’ve discovered the village pub, The Phelips Arms and had a most pleasant lunch here. This village square appeared in the film Sense and Sensibility, filmed in May 1995, which unbelievably, was 31 years ago.

38,781 views

A quick drink in here this afternoon. The Hole in the Wall near Waterloo Station. It’s like stepping back to the 70s coming in here. In a good way. Almost empty though today, which is a shame. Was rammed the last time I was here, which admittedly was three years ago. Anyway, it’s always an experience when a train goes directly overhead and the whole place shakes. The tables, the chairs, everything. Don’t know if you can hear it on this video but tried to capture it.

A quick drink in here this afternoon. The Hole in the Wall near Waterloo Station. It’s like stepping back to the 70s coming in here. In a good way. Almost empty though today, which is a shame. Was rammed the last time I was here, which admittedly was three years ago. Anyway, it’s always an experience when a train goes directly overhead and the whole place shakes. The tables, the chairs, everything. Don’t know if you can hear it on this video but tried to capture it.

56,925 views

On my way home. Coming out of Mile End tube station in London this afternoon, I was going to do one of my little videos of the area, but I’ve decided not to now.

On my way home. Coming out of Mile End tube station in London this afternoon, I was going to do one of my little videos of the area, but I’ve decided not to now.

662,272 views

And now I’m here at this lovely rooftop bar in central London. It’s a gorgeous, hot, sunny day, with a balcony that overlooks all of the London landmarks, so have a guess why nobody is sat outside? That’s right; you’re not allowed drinks outside anymore. They had an incident on Saturday and since then have banned drinks outside. This is everything that’s wrong with this country. A few people do something stupid and instead of dealing with them, everyone has their fun stopped. Bloody depressing.

And now I’m here at this lovely rooftop bar in central London. It’s a gorgeous, hot, sunny day, with a balcony that overlooks all of the London landmarks, so have a guess why nobody is sat outside? That’s right; you’re not allowed drinks outside anymore. They had an incident on Saturday and since then have banned drinks outside. This is everything that’s wrong with this country. A few people do something stupid and instead of dealing with them, everyone has their fun stopped. Bloody depressing.

361,682 views

Here we go again. These Islamic flags have just gone up all the way down Mile End Road in London. The Islamic takeover of London is complete. Why don’t I like that? Because I wanted to live in England, not a third world shithole.

Here we go again. These Islamic flags have just gone up all the way down Mile End Road in London. The Islamic takeover of London is complete. Why don’t I like that? Because I wanted to live in England, not a third world shithole.

470,113 views

Spent a perfect Sunday afternoon with my four month old granddaughter in a pub garden in London. I’m very pleased to say that I’ve taught her to say her first word: sausages.

Spent a perfect Sunday afternoon with my four month old granddaughter in a pub garden in London. I’m very pleased to say that I’ve taught her to say her first word: sausages.

57,751 views

What a beautiful place Christchurch is. The River Avon running through it, the 900 year old priory and narrow streets with lovely little cottages. Whenever I visit these English villages, it makes me happy. Living in London, coming to England makes me happy seeing a country I thought had gone.

What a beautiful place Christchurch is. The River Avon running through it, the 900 year old priory and narrow streets with lovely little cottages. Whenever I visit these English villages, it makes me happy. Living in London, coming to England makes me happy seeing a country I thought had gone.

10,513 views

This is an independent coffee shop this morning in Camden Passage, Islington. A perfect location, beautifully done inside, friendly service from the actual owner and yet there’s only me and one other person here. The big chains like Starbucks etc are rammed with people. So next time you moan there are only awful chain coffee shops everywhere, giving terrible service from staff who don’t care and no independents, look at yourself and where you spend your money.

This is an independent coffee shop this morning in Camden Passage, Islington. A perfect location, beautifully done inside, friendly service from the actual owner and yet there’s only me and one other person here. The big chains like Starbucks etc are rammed with people. So next time you moan there are only awful chain coffee shops everywhere, giving terrible service from staff who don’t care and no independents, look at yourself and where you spend your money.

479,246 views

I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round. Or not as the case may be, because this is Chiswick High Road and the traffic just tends to sit stationary in a traffic jam all day, every day. Still, a most pleasant place to sit and sip my morning orange juice.

I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round. Or not as the case may be, because this is Chiswick High Road and the traffic just tends to sit stationary in a traffic jam all day, every day. Still, a most pleasant place to sit and sip my morning orange juice.

29,245 views

Just walked out of Earl’s Court tube station in London, to be met by this enormous mural to showcase local artists. What do you notice about almost every face on here? Which group do you notice is not represented?

Just walked out of Earl’s Court tube station in London, to be met by this enormous mural to showcase local artists. What do you notice about almost every face on here? Which group do you notice is not represented?

263,140 views

The correct way to spend a Friday. At a bar by the river in London with my eldest daughter and granddaughter

The correct way to spend a Friday. At a bar by the river in London with my eldest daughter and granddaughter

48,156 views

Heading home now and in Whitechapel and the fucking Muslim call to prayer is blasting out. Ffs.

Sensitive content

Heading home now and in Whitechapel and the fucking Muslim call to prayer is blasting out. Ffs.

179,008 views

I bloody love this! The correct way to spend a Saturday evening. Sat outside a proper boozer in Brentford in the sunshine, listening to live music. Cheers 🥂

I bloody love this! The correct way to spend a Saturday evening. Sat outside a proper boozer in Brentford in the sunshine, listening to live music. Cheers 🥂

16,845 views

And now I’m here at another English pub. The Fish Inn in Ringwood. Set on the banks of The River Avon at the end of a beautiful little country lane where you come over that gorgeous little bridge at the beginning of my video. Also at the end of the beautiful country lane however, is the A31 dual carriageway, with a million cars whizzing by. Still, I shall sit by the river with my wine and pretend that isn’t there. Cheers 🥂

And now I’m here at another English pub. The Fish Inn in Ringwood. Set on the banks of The River Avon at the end of a beautiful little country lane where you come over that gorgeous little bridge at the beginning of my video. Also at the end of the beautiful country lane however, is the A31 dual carriageway, with a million cars whizzing by. Still, I shall sit by the river with my wine and pretend that isn’t there. Cheers 🥂

31,854 views

On the tube heading home now. Turnham Green in Chiswick to Whitechapel. For those who don’t know London, it’s like going from a very lovely place, to Kabul in Afghanistan. And for those of you who haven’t been to Kabul, it’s shit. I wouldn’t recommend it. Anyway, does anyone else play the game while sat on the tube where you have to visualise what the outside of the station at each stop looks like? I always do. Maybe it’s just me.

On the tube heading home now. Turnham Green in Chiswick to Whitechapel. For those who don’t know London, it’s like going from a very lovely place, to Kabul in Afghanistan. And for those of you who haven’t been to Kabul, it’s shit. I wouldn’t recommend it. Anyway, does anyone else play the game while sat on the tube where you have to visualise what the outside of the station at each stop looks like? I always do. Maybe it’s just me.

155,785 views

On my way to ikea and I’ve accidentally come to a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking Regent Street instead. Haven’t been here for a few years. Used to be a tiny standing only rooftop, but they’ve expanded it nicely. A perfect place to sit with a wine in the sunshine. IKEA can wait.

On my way to ikea and I’ve accidentally come to a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking Regent Street instead. Haven’t been here for a few years. Used to be a tiny standing only rooftop, but they’ve expanded it nicely. A perfect place to sit with a wine in the sunshine. IKEA can wait.

129,390 views

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Heading home on the train now and between the almost endless new build dross, is a beautiful pearl. You’ll know when you see it.
0:36
London_W4's profile picture

Heading home on the train now and between the almost endless new build dross, is a beautiful pearl. You’ll know when you see it.

Alastair Hilton

248,903 views • 19 hours ago

I am having a drink this evening with a friend in a Chiswick pub. Two policemen have just come into the pub and asked me to step outside. I have stepped outside and they have threatened me because I tweeted about a councillor banning seating outside pubs in Chiswick. They admit on video (watch it!) that I did not break the law at all. They came to threaten me. To warn me off tweeting about councillors and the council. This is modern Britain. This is the police state. Please, please, please watch this video. It does involve me using very bad language, but this has got to be seen. Police coming out to threaten someone who hasn’t committed a crime. I’m fuming.
12:12
London_W4's profile picture

I am having a drink this evening with a friend in a Chiswick pub. Two policemen have just come into the pub and asked me to step outside. I have stepped outside and they have threatened me because I tweeted about a councillor banning seating outside pubs in Chiswick. They admit on video (watch it!) that I did not break the law at all. They came to threaten me. To warn me off tweeting about councillors and the council. This is modern Britain. This is the police state. Please, please, please watch this video. It does involve me using very bad language, but this has got to be seen. Police coming out to threaten someone who hasn’t committed a crime. I’m fuming.

Alastair Hilton

8,633,804 views • 19 days ago

I’m on a train right now heading to central London and almost everyone on here is white. I’ve noticed that every time I’m on a commuter train at crack of dawn in the morning, there are almost only white people commuting to work. Every time I walk across London Bridge in the morning rush hour, almost everyone is white. The rest of the day, white people are a tiny minority in London. I can’t imagine why that would be.
0:32
London_W4's profile picture

I’m on a train right now heading to central London and almost everyone on here is white. I’ve noticed that every time I’m on a commuter train at crack of dawn in the morning, there are almost only white people commuting to work. Every time I walk across London Bridge in the morning rush hour, almost everyone is white. The rest of the day, white people are a tiny minority in London. I can’t imagine why that would be.

Alastair Hilton

1,835,464 views • 26 days ago

And now I’m here and I’m very angry. I mean fuming. Strand on the Green in Chiswick and the councillor Rick Rowe of Hounslow council has said that the pubs here; the Bell and Crown, The City Barge and The Bulls Head, aren’t allowed outside seating anymore. They’ve had that seating forever and people love to relax outside in the sunshine by the river, but now, the council has said that must stop. Hounslow council govern Chiswick. Hounslow is an absolute third world shithole. All the taxes from Chiswick pay for Hounslow to survive and these idiots want to make it even harder for businesses to survive. I have no say in these pubs and they certainly haven’t asked me to post, in case someone thinks that. I’m posting because I know how hard it is to run a business. I know how hard pubs work to survive and I know how terrible councillors are. Disgusting
3:40
London_W4's profile picture

And now I’m here and I’m very angry. I mean fuming. Strand on the Green in Chiswick and the councillor Rick Rowe of Hounslow council has said that the pubs here; the Bell and Crown, The City Barge and The Bulls Head, aren’t allowed outside seating anymore. They’ve had that seating forever and people love to relax outside in the sunshine by the river, but now, the council has said that must stop. Hounslow council govern Chiswick. Hounslow is an absolute third world shithole. All the taxes from Chiswick pay for Hounslow to survive and these idiots want to make it even harder for businesses to survive. I have no say in these pubs and they certainly haven’t asked me to post, in case someone thinks that. I’m posting because I know how hard it is to run a business. I know how hard pubs work to survive and I know how terrible councillors are. Disgusting

Alastair Hilton

539,070 views • 21 days ago

And now I’m here and I absolutely love this. Seven blokes about my age have just cruised these electric bikes into the pub garden as the sun sets. I think we can safely say the bikes are handmade as I can’t recall going into a bike shop and seeing a bike with a giant metal pig.
0:25
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And now I’m here and I absolutely love this. Seven blokes about my age have just cruised these electric bikes into the pub garden as the sun sets. I think we can safely say the bikes are handmade as I can’t recall going into a bike shop and seeing a bike with a giant metal pig.

Alastair Hilton

90,778 views • 4 days ago

And now I’m here in the corner shop next to Battersea Power Station, perusing the wine selection. They have a bottle of Petrus for £4250. Yes, four thousand two hundred and fifty pounds. The people who live here are rather wealthy. Your corner shop has wine for £4.25 because you’re poor.
0:22
London_W4's profile picture

And now I’m here in the corner shop next to Battersea Power Station, perusing the wine selection. They have a bottle of Petrus for £4250. Yes, four thousand two hundred and fifty pounds. The people who live here are rather wealthy. Your corner shop has wine for £4.25 because you’re poor.

Alastair Hilton

267,023 views • 14 days ago

Good morning boys and girls. Friday morning, the sun is shining and I haven’t been arrested for not breaking the law. Thank you so much for all the support regarding my video of the police yesterday. Really appreciated. I’m off to get a coffee. I’ve put on clean boxer shorts today though, just in case I get arrested. Better safe than sorry. Cheers 🍻
1:27
London_W4's profile picture

Good morning boys and girls. Friday morning, the sun is shining and I haven’t been arrested for not breaking the law. Thank you so much for all the support regarding my video of the police yesterday. Really appreciated. I’m off to get a coffee. I’ve put on clean boxer shorts today though, just in case I get arrested. Better safe than sorry. Cheers 🍻

Alastair Hilton

259,961 views • 19 days ago

A walk through Mortlake today and this dealer has some really rather gorgeous classic cars for sale, but I seem to have woken up in an alternate universe. When did a pagoda roof Mercedes become £135,000?! They were about £25,000 when I last looked.
0:22
London_W4's profile picture

A walk through Mortlake today and this dealer has some really rather gorgeous classic cars for sale, but I seem to have woken up in an alternate universe. When did a pagoda roof Mercedes become £135,000?! They were about £25,000 when I last looked.

Alastair Hilton

22,769 views • 1 day ago

And now I’m here. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. I’ve come to a proper village fete in Frogham in the New Forest. I’ve paid 50 pence for raffle tickets at the bottle tombola (I won a bottle of Diet Coke and not the alcohol I’d hope for), I totally failed to knock a single coconut off at the shy, but I did win a little packet of sweets by knocking tin cans down with a bean bag at the stall next to it. This is exactly like the village fetes my Mum took me to fifty years or so ago. It hasn’t changed a bit. A totally perfect slice of English life.
0:22
London_W4's profile picture

And now I’m here. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. I’ve come to a proper village fete in Frogham in the New Forest. I’ve paid 50 pence for raffle tickets at the bottle tombola (I won a bottle of Diet Coke and not the alcohol I’d hope for), I totally failed to knock a single coconut off at the shy, but I did win a little packet of sweets by knocking tin cans down with a bean bag at the stall next to it. This is exactly like the village fetes my Mum took me to fifty years or so ago. It hasn’t changed a bit. A totally perfect slice of English life.

Alastair Hilton

281,071 views • 25 days ago

And now I’m here, wandering around London. Imagine you’ve booked this Travelodge for your holiday in London. I’d love to see the trip advisor reviews of anyone who’s stayed in rooms 3-5 here…
0:49
London_W4's profile picture

And now I’m here, wandering around London. Imagine you’ve booked this Travelodge for your holiday in London. I’d love to see the trip advisor reviews of anyone who’s stayed in rooms 3-5 here…

Alastair Hilton

1,993,993 views • 6 months ago

Sitting in the coffee shop watching the world go by this morning. One minute and fourteen seconds of very little happening. Wait forty years and it’ll be the most fascinating video you’ve ever seen.
1:14
London_W4's profile picture

Sitting in the coffee shop watching the world go by this morning. One minute and fourteen seconds of very little happening. Wait forty years and it’ll be the most fascinating video you’ve ever seen.

Alastair Hilton

1,526,659 views • 6 months ago

Watch this! I’m sat outside the Bell and Crown at Strand on the Green in Chiswick right now watching a dolphin! Yes, seriously! A dolphin in the Thames in Chiswick while I sip my wine. Life cannot get any better. Incredibly, this is the second time I’ve stood here and watched a dolphin.
1:07
London_W4's profile picture

Watch this! I’m sat outside the Bell and Crown at Strand on the Green in Chiswick right now watching a dolphin! Yes, seriously! A dolphin in the Thames in Chiswick while I sip my wine. Life cannot get any better. Incredibly, this is the second time I’ve stood here and watched a dolphin.

Alastair Hilton

143,470 views • 21 days ago

And now it’s time to edit photos for clients and where better to do that than here in the control room of Battersea Power Station. How gorgeous are these original controls?
0:30
London_W4's profile picture

And now it’s time to edit photos for clients and where better to do that than here in the control room of Battersea Power Station. How gorgeous are these original controls?

Alastair Hilton

13,479 views • 1 day ago

Wednesday evening, cycling home, looking at the pretty houses in Islington, when this happened.
0:44
London_W4's profile picture

Wednesday evening, cycling home, looking at the pretty houses in Islington, when this happened.

Alastair Hilton

1,964,621 views • 9 months ago

And now I’m here in the gorgeous town of Christchurch, England. They’ve even got a ducking stool, a 14th century invention to identify witches.
1:07
London_W4's profile picture

And now I’m here in the gorgeous town of Christchurch, England. They’ve even got a ducking stool, a 14th century invention to identify witches.

Alastair Hilton

25,315 views • 4 days ago

Continuing my journey home and this is St Pancras area of London at 1035pm on a Saturday night. What you may notice is there are no people, even up the side roads. Just tumbleweed.
1:03
London_W4's profile picture

Continuing my journey home and this is St Pancras area of London at 1035pm on a Saturday night. What you may notice is there are no people, even up the side roads. Just tumbleweed.

Alastair Hilton

1,613,641 views • 8 months ago

On a stag do right now and seem to have ended up on a boat on the Thames. One of the most perfect places. Straight ahead at the top of the hill is The Roebuck pub. Outside that, JMW Turner painted the view looking towards where I am now on the boat. A perfect day.
0:21
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On a stag do right now and seem to have ended up on a boat on the Thames. One of the most perfect places. Straight ahead at the top of the hill is The Roebuck pub. Outside that, JMW Turner painted the view looking towards where I am now on the boat. A perfect day.

Alastair Hilton

57,277 views • 9 days ago

And now I’m here. Midday Saturday at a most pleasant pub in England. People enjoying a drink and outside, families paddling in the river. A scene that has remained unchanged for a hundred years. Perfect. The George in Fordingbridge in case you wondered.
0:22
London_W4's profile picture

And now I’m here. Midday Saturday at a most pleasant pub in England. People enjoying a drink and outside, families paddling in the river. A scene that has remained unchanged for a hundred years. Perfect. The George in Fordingbridge in case you wondered.

Alastair Hilton

127,762 views • 25 days ago

How magical and beautiful is this? Near Montacute in Somerset, travelling along this hollow way. This has been formed over centuries by people and livestock, together with the erosion from water. England has some truly gorgeous places.
0:23
London_W4's profile picture

How magical and beautiful is this? Near Montacute in Somerset, travelling along this hollow way. This has been formed over centuries by people and livestock, together with the erosion from water. England has some truly gorgeous places.

Alastair Hilton

24,715 views • 5 days ago

Outside the pub right now, waiting for my grocery delivery to be delivered and the camera car is here. He drives up and down the road, instantly and automatically fining anyone without a permit. I think it’s wrong. So I’m stood in the road being pathetic and childish and delaying him from ruining peoples evening. This country is just plummeting to the bottom and I think we’ve all had enough. Never thought I’d reach this level.
3:15
London_W4's profile picture

Outside the pub right now, waiting for my grocery delivery to be delivered and the camera car is here. He drives up and down the road, instantly and automatically fining anyone without a permit. I think it’s wrong. So I’m stood in the road being pathetic and childish and delaying him from ruining peoples evening. This country is just plummeting to the bottom and I think we’ve all had enough. Never thought I’d reach this level.

Alastair Hilton

1,555,054 views • 11 months ago