I like exploring London on foot. That’s significantly true within the Metropolis of London, the place slim passageways and historic lanes make for nice discoveries. Additionally they reveal among the UK capital’s oldest and most atmospheric pubs. If you happen to love walks and watering holes as a lot as I do, learn on for my Metropolis of London pub stroll. There’s a map, too.
Metropolis of London Historic Pub Strolling Tour
Proper within the coronary heart of London, the Metropolis (aka the Sq. Mile) has among the richest architectural historical past and plenty of of a very powerful heritage buildings within the UK capital. A few of them are pubs.
From centuries-old numbers to Victorian extravaganzas, the pubs on this a part of London are value seeing. And given they’re additionally value popping into for meals and drinks, my favourite solution to expertise them is on a stroll (these energy aren’t going to burn themselves, proper?).
Whether or not you’re interested by haunted pubs with ghost tales, Nineteenth-century gin palaces, or heritage buildings with distinctive structure, there’s one thing for everybody on this A Girl in London strolling tour.
London walks
If you happen to’re interested by different routes (together with my common Metropolis of London stroll), you possibly can see all my free self-guided ones on my London strolling excursions weblog publish and my London strolling map.
There are different walks within the e book London’s Hidden Walks, too. You possibly can get it right here. There are further concepts in my London strolling books publish as effectively.
If you happen to’re in search of a guided tour, you possibly can see choices and e book one right here. These pub walks are nice methods to see the world with an skilled native.
Earlier than You Go
However again to this stroll. My self-guided Metropolis of London pub stroll will take you on a visit via the previous. It’s going to lead you from pub to pub through large sights and hidden courtyards, historic lanes and medieval streets.
Earlier than you do that stroll, ensure that to examine opening hours of the pubs alongside the route. Some are closed on weekends or on sure weekdays, so that you’ll wish to be ready.
Moreover, bear in mind to tempo your self. There are a whole lot of pubs on the route, and there’s no have to eat and drink in all of them (and so they all serve tender drinks). You possibly can even break up the stroll and do it over a number of days.
I’ve additionally included some non-pub websites alongside the best way to present you a while to digest between taverns. From iconic landmarks to essential church buildings and well-known prison courts, there’s a lot to see alongside the best way.
London Pub Stroll Route
This most historic of London walks begins at Financial institution station. It’s served by a number of tube traces and native buses. You may also arrive on foot or by bicycle or scooter from different components of town.
Financial institution station is surrounded by historic buildings. One is the Financial institution of England. One other is the Royal Change, which has has an attractive inside that’s value popping in to see earlier than you begin off.
Again outdoors the station, head west on Poultry, passing The Ned lodge (it’s an excellent place to remain if you wish to base your self within the space). Keep on Poultry because it turns into Cheapside.
While you attain Queen Road, flip left. After passing an Edwardian pub known as The Golden Fleece, flip proper on Nicely Courtroom. This slim passageway will lead you to Bow Lane, a historic pedestrianized avenue in London.
Williamson’s Tavern
Flip left on Bow Lane, then duck into Groveland Courtroom in your proper. This skinny alley will lead you to Williamson’s Tavern. Solely open on weekdays, this pub is steeped in each historical past and ghost tales.
The unique constructing dates to the Seventeenth century, when it was the residence of a number of Lord Mayors of London. It was largely reconstructed within the early twentieth century, and the pub has Nineteen Thirties-style interiors.
In accordance with an indication on the pub, King William III and Queen Mary II dined on the premises when it was the Lord Mayor’s residence. The Grade II-listed wrought iron gates on the finish of the court docket are mentioned to have been a present from them, and so they characteristic their royal monogram.
Williamson’s Tavern is assumed to carry the oldest excise license within the Metropolis of London. The pub additionally claims to be situated within the precise middle of the traditional Roman metropolis of Londinium. Legend has it that there’s a stone on the ground to mark the spot (it’s coated by a carpet).
Moreover, it’s rumored that some historical Roman bricks or tiles had been included into a hearth after they had been found throughout the Nineteen Thirties rebuild.
On high of all that, Williamson’s Tavern is haunted. It’s mentioned that there’s a resident ghost named Martha, who’s a poltergeist.
Martha’s presence has allegedly led police canine to growl and refuse to come back nearer as they move the tip of the lane. Lengthy-serving employees say they’ve seen a portray of Martha in varied components of the pub, however no such portray exists.
If you wish to cease right here for a meal when you’re in your stroll, the pies at Williamson’s Tavern are well-known.
Ye Olde Watling
After seeing or exploring the pub, head again out to Bow Lane and switch proper. Quickly you’ll attain Watling Road, which was a part of some of the essential historical Roman roads in Britain.
On the alternative nook of Bow Lane and Watling Road, you’ll discover Ye Olde Watling. This pub is claimed to have been rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren (architect of close by St Paul’s Cathedral) in 1668 after the Nice Fireplace of London.
It’s believed that Wren rebuilt the pub to accommodate his employees and provides them someplace to drink. The pub additionally claims that the plans for St Paul’s Cathedral had been drawn up in what’s now the eating room.
Ye Olde Watling is fabricated from previous timbers from ships, and inside you’ll discover traditional interiors with darkish wooden and dim lighting galore. In order for you a meal or drink, this place is thought for its pies, cask ales, and intensive whiskey and gin choices.
St Paul’s Cathedral
After Ye Olde Watling, proceed your pub stroll by heading west down Watling Road to get to St Paul’s Cathedral. Designed and constructed between 1675 and 1710, the cathedral is known for its beautiful dome (which has nice views) and breathtaking interiors.
Probably the most essential church buildings in London, St Paul’s Cathedral has been host to all the pieces from the the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer to the funerals of Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill. You possibly can tour it if you wish to (e book tickets right here), or simply admire it from the skin.
While you’re completed, proceed your stroll by heading west down the road known as Ludgate Hill and turning left on Creed Lane. While you attain Carter Lane, you’ll see the historic facade of The Rising Solar pub to your proper.
Proceed your stroll by heading south down Burgon Road to the left of The Rising Solar. This passageway is lined with colourful shopfronts. It’s going to lead you to Eire Yard, the place you’ll end up in entrance of the distinctive facade of The Cockpit pub.
Flip proper on Eire Yard, protecting straight on the lane because it turns into Playhouse Yard. While you attain Black Friars Lane, flip left and comply with it right down to Queen Victoria Road.
Flip proper on Queen Victoria Road and stroll below the railway bridge. While you emerge on the opposite aspect, you’ll discover the hanging flatiron facade of The Blackfriar pub in your proper.
The Blackfriar
The Blackfriar is without doubt one of the most lovely pubs in London. A Grade II-listed Artwork Nouveau constructing, this place dates again to 1875. It’s identified for its beautiful design and decor.
The pub was constructed on the positioning of a medieval Dominican friary. It was redesigned by architect Herbert Fuller-Clark initially of the twentieth century, and far of the decor was performed by artist Henry Poole and sculptor Frederick Callcott. All three males had been proponents of the Arts and Crafts Motion.
Inside you’ll discover decorative balconies, sculptures, reliefs, stained glass, mosaics, and a well-known black friar standing guard above the entrance door. They’ve earned it a spot on the Marketing campaign for Actual Ale’s Nationwide Stock of Historic Pub Interiors.
The Blackfriar was saved from demolition and redevelopment by Sir John Betjeman within the Nineteen Sixties. If you wish to elevate a glass to him, you possibly can go inside and take a look at one of many cask ales. The pub is presently present process a refurbishment, and it’s set to re-open by April 4, 2025.
The Previous Bailey
From The Blackfriar, you possibly can proceed your pub stroll by heading north up New Bridge Road. While you attain Ludgate Hill, flip proper, then make a fast left on Limeburner Lane.
This curving avenue will take you previous trendy buildings as you make your solution to Previous Bailey. Flip left while you get there and comply with the road north previous the historic Central Felony Courtroom (nicknamed the Previous Bailey after the road it’s on).
The Previous Bailey is essentially the most well-known prison court docket on this planet. There’s been a jail and/or court docket on this website since at the very least the tip of the twelfth century (together with the notorious Newgate Jail).
The present constructing was designed by Edward Mountford and opened in 1907 by King Edward VII. There’s deeper historical past right here, although. A piece of the traditional Roman Metropolis wall continues to be preserved within the basement, and throughout the road you’ll see a fountain that marks the spot the place executions had been as soon as held.
Well-known trials which have taken place within the Previous Bailey embody these of Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen, William Joyce (‘Lord Haw Haw’), John Christie, Quakers William Penn and William Mead, the Krays, and Peter Sutcliffe (the ‘Yorkshire Ripper’).
The Viaduct Tavern
When you’ve admired the Previous Bailey, hold strolling north till you come to Newgate Road. Throughout the highway you’ll spot the eye-catching facade of The Viaduct Tavern on the nook.
This pub dates again to the late Nineteenth century, and its interiors had been reworked across the flip of the twentieth century. Named after the close by Holborn Viaduct, The Viaduct Tavern is the final remaining instance of a Victorian gin palace. It even had an opium den on the primary ground.
An unique toll sales space continues to be right here, too. Legend has it that the owner bought beer tokens from the sales space to maintain the cash away from his bar employees.
There are previous jail cells within the cellar (though it’s debatable whether or not they’re genuine). A portray within the bar has a gap in it that was apparently comprised of the bayonet of a soldier who received in a struggle right here throughout World Warfare I. It’s rumored there are ghosts as effectively.
Holy Sepulchre Church
Leaving The Viaduct Tavern, make your approach west down Holborn Viaduct. Quickly you’ll move the Seventeenth-century Holy Sepulchre Church, the biggest parish church within the Metropolis of London.
The Grade I-listed Holy Sepulchre Church is known for a number of issues, however two stand out for me. The primary is that it’s the burial place of Captain John Smith of Pocahontas fame. He was buried right here in 1633, and he’s commemorated within the south wall by a stained-glass window.
The second is the bells. The bells of the church are referred to within the well-known nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons because the “bells of Previous Bailey”. Given its proximity to Newgate Jail, sure bells right here had been rung to announce executions.
St Etheldreda’s Church
After taking within the church or going inside to see the interiors, proceed strolling west down Holborn Viaduct till you attain Holborn Circus. Flip proper on Charterhouse Road (or stroll via the little park in your proper), then flip left on Ely Place.
This historic avenue in Holborn is house to St Etheldreda’s Church. Courting again to the Thirteenth century, it’s one in every of solely two surviving buildings in London from the reign of Edward I.
St Etheldreda’s Church was initially constructed to be the chapel of Ely Palace, the London residence of the Bishops of Ely. It’s an essential piece of architectural historical past.
You possibly can go inside to see the beautiful stained glass and historic partitions, or proceed your pub stroll by heading via the thin Ely Courtroom, a tiny passage that connects Ely Place to Hatton Backyard.
Ye Olde Mitre
Right here you’ll discover one of many oldest pubs in London. Ye Olde Mitre dates again to 1547, and it’s one in every of my favourite watering holes within the metropolis.
With a collection of small wood-paneled rooms, it can whisk you off to a bygone period. Ye Olde Mitre has featured in well-known London motion pictures like Snatch as effectively.
You possibly can pop in for a drink or meal if it’s a weekday (the pub is closed on weekends), or proceed your stroll by heading out to Hatton Backyard. That is London’s diamond district, and also you’ll discover an abundance of jewelers on this avenue.
The Previous Bell Tavern
Flip left on Hatton Backyard, heading again right down to Holborn Circus. Cross over and proceed south on New Fetter Lane earlier than turning left on St Andrew Road.
Observe it because it turns into Shoe Lane, and veer left because it turns into St Bride Road. Finally it can take you right down to Poppin’s Courtroom. Veer proper and stroll the quick distance down Poppin’s Courtroom to Fleet Road.
While you attain Fleet Road, you’ll discover the Victorian-era Punch Tavern in entrance of you to the left, and The Previous Bell Tavern immediately in entrance of you. The latter has been licensed for greater than 300 years.
The Previous Bell Tavern has a longstanding affiliation with printing, as one of many first printing presses operated right here round 1500.
The present construction of the pub was constructed by Sir Christopher Wren to accommodate his masons throughout the rebuilding of close by St Bride’s Church after the Nice Fireplace of London in 1666.
If you wish to go inside for meals and drinks, The Previous Bell Tavern is thought for its vary of pies served below pastry or mash. It additionally affords craft beers and an intensive vary of gin and whiskey. The Metropolis of London Gin distillery is across the nook, and the pub serves a wide variety of it.
St Bride’s Church
After The Previous Bell Tavern, proceed your pub stroll by heading west down Fleet Road. In your left you’ll see St Bride’s Church down St Bride’s Avenue.
This home of worship was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672. Legend has it that the church’s tiered spire was the inspiration for the normal wedding ceremony cake. You possibly can go inside to see the inside if you wish to.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
After seeing St Bride’s, proceed strolling west down Fleet Road, taking within the historic buildings as you go. Don’t neglect to show round for nice views of St Paul’s Cathedral behind you, too.
Quickly you’ll see the historic Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub in your proper. One among London’s final remaining Seventeenth-century chophouses, this pub has an extended historical past.
The location was initially a Thirteenth-century Carmelite monastery, and a pub was constructed right here in 1538. It burned down within the Nice Fireplace of 1666 and was rebuilt in 1667.
Historic figures like Dr Samuel Johnson, Mark Twain, W.B. Yeats, and Charles Dickens all frequented the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It’s even alluded to within the novel A Story of Two Cities.
Entry is thru a slim passage off Fleet Road. As soon as inside, you’ll discover a warren of wood-paneled rooms and cellars, to not point out legends of ghosts and tales of a parrot named Polly.
If you happen to’re hungry, the signature dish right here is Ye Olde Steak & Kidney Pudding. If not, it’s nonetheless value getting a drink and exploring the totally different areas right here.
Ye Olde Cock Tavern
Leaving Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, proceed your pub stroll by strolling west down Fleet Road. Simply outdoors the Sq. Mile (and proper by Temple), you’ll spot the thin facade of Ye Olde Cock Tavern in your left.
Courting from 1549 (and rebuilt on this website in 1887) this place is Grade II listed and is claimed to have the narrowest frontage of any London pub.
Describing itself as a “fashionable gin palace”, Ye Olde Cock Tavern is a superb place to soak up historic interiors. They’re thought to incorporate work by grasp wooden carver Grinling Gibbons, who left his mark on Windsor Fortress, Hampton Courtroom Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, and different notable buildings.
Whereas a fireplace within the Nineteen Nineties destroyed among the unique interiors, a trustworthy restoration introduced it again to life. Immediately guests can take pleasure in meals and drinks right here whereas taking within the ambiance that was as soon as loved by Samuel Pepys, Dickens, and Dr Johnson.
The Seven Stars
After leaving Ye Olde Cock Tavern, proceed your stroll by heading west down Fleet Road and turning proper on Chancery Lane. Stroll as much as Carey Road, flip left, and stroll till you attain The Seven Stars pub in Holborn.
The Seven Stars is without doubt one of the oldest pubs in London. It dates again to 1602, and it’s thought that some inside beams survive from the unique development.
Whereas neither the outside nor the inside are significantly noteworthy from an aesthetic standpoint, this place continues to be essential for its heritage. You possibly can pop in for a chew or a tipple if you wish to, then proceed your stroll.
Previous Financial institution of England
Retrace your steps by heading east down Carey Road, then flip proper on Bell Yard. Observe it right down to Fleet Road, flip left, and also you’ll end up in entrance of the Previous Financial institution of England pub.
This place opened in 2013. Earlier than it was a pub it was the previous Financial institution of England’s Regulation Courts, which operated from 1888 to 1975.
If you happen to’re aware of Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Road, the situation is claimed to be immediately between Sweeney Todd’s barber store and Mrs Lovett’s pie store.
The Previous Financial institution of England has some of the beautiful pub interiors in all of London. With excessive ceilings, tall home windows, and tile flooring, you’ll really feel the historical past as quickly as you stroll in.
The George
While you depart, proceed your stroll by heading west down Fleet Road. Keep on it because it turns into Strand, veering left because the highway splits to make approach for the Wren-designed St Clement Danes Church.
After passing the well-known Twinings tea store, you’ll come to The George. Established in 1723, this historic pub began life as George’s Espresso Home.
Its half-timbered facade is sufficient to attract most individuals in, and its historic interiors are befitting of a pub of its age. You possibly can pop in for a chew or a drink to soak up the environment.
Your pub stroll ends at The George. You’re not removed from Temple station if you wish to choose up the tube, and there are many native buses close by. You may also proceed your stroll additional afield if you wish to.
London Pub Strolling Tour Particulars & Map
London Pub Stroll
I hope you’ve loved this stroll and that my weblog publish has impressed you to get out and comply with the route your self. It’s an effective way to get some train, see a few of London’s most well-known historic pubs, take pleasure in conventional English meals and drinks, and delve into town’s previous.
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