Lydia Wood's 'Locals' chronicles London's pubs in pencil

Lydia Wood, a 32-year-old artist, has sketched more than 350 pubs in London since 2021, following the loss of her teaching position due to Covid. She aims to capture all 3,500 pubs in the city, a task projected to span over a decade. Her artwork gained immense popularity online and is compiled in the book 'Locals: An Illustrated Ode to London's Pubs' (Hodder and Stoughton), which showcases 60 detailed pencil illustrations. This endeavor highlights the architectural beauty and community spirit of pubs, which face closure—approximately 1,000 have shut down in the past 20 years. Recently, she visited the 150-year-old Trafalgar pub in south Wimbledon, slated for demolition, where locals are advocating for community ownership. Wood's drawings can take anywhere from six hours to several days to complete, and she often enjoys complimentary pints while engaging with patrons, using her art to address the challenges facing pubs and the history of London. The book features sections on riverside pubs, alleyway establishments, pubs with cats, and a dedicated chapter on those named The Coach and Horses. Wood reflects that this project has deepened her appreciation for the city, revealing everything from serene lanes in Richmond to the lively streets of Limehouse.