The Gentle Author’s Pub Crawl
Feeling in need of exercise and refreshment, I set out on a walk to visit some favourite pubs along the way and I took my camera with me too.
Mitre Taven, Hatton Garden, opened 1546
George & Vulture, City of London, opened 1600
Bust of Dickens in the dining room at the George & Vulture
Jamaica Wine House, City of London, opened 1660
The Blackfriar, Blackfriars, opened 1905
The Old Bell, Fleet St, opened in the sixteen-seventies
The Punch Tavern, Fleet St, opened 1839
Old Cheshire Cheese, Wine Office Court, opened 1538
Ship Tavern, Gate St, opened 1549
Cittie of Yorke, Holborn, opened 1696
Seven Stars, Carey St, opened 1602
The Lamb & Flag, Rose St, opened 1623
At the Lamb & Flag
The Anchor, Bankside, where Samuel Pepys watched the Fire of London
The George, Borough High St, opened in the fourteenth century
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I just love your articles on the old buildings of London. I wonder how much of these very old buildings is original to their beginnings or whether the sight occupation is more the point??
I think I’ve been in all these pubs. Does that make me naughty? I don’t know , but they are nice pubs.
These photographs are excellent, good enough to go into a book about London, the past and the present. Have you ever thought of producing one?
Really interesting photo’s – love the black and white rendering as suits the area and the period architecture. Hope there is time for a pub crawl on the writing course!!
Paddy
We’ve been in a few of these but not all – so some more to add to our list if we stay in London again. (It’s a bit difficult with the dog, but we might manage it.) Is the cat still in the Seven Stars? He doesn’t like being photographed, but I sneaked one when he wasn’t looking. According to Dan Cruickshank, one room of the Cheshire Cheese may have been connected in some way with the 17th/18th century sex trade in London. There are so many wonderful stories connected with pubs – that’s why they’re so fascinating. Thanks for this article – very enjoyable.
I like that some of these pubs are still around.
None of the pubs where I live are like that, with the exception of the pub at Sydney’s Rocks area, which is the first Australian pub. Everything is in terms of architecture and character is rather ‘meh’.
Thank you.
You’re as good with your lens as your pen. Brilliant.
FANTASTIC…WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHS.
Lovely pictures gentle author. The George in Borough High St is a particular favourite of mine. I wonder if you enjoyed a quick one in each establishment ! You certainly covered a lot of ground with that particular walkabout. Best wishes. Pauline
Some lovely, characterful pubs. It’s always a wonder that they have survived with little brewer’s ‘updating’. I live in a rural area and one of our historic pubs has just been sanitised with the latest fashion in pub fittings. Why do they do it? So it’s good to see these ones.
Drunk in all of them
Unbfortunately some are now tourist-trap shadows, selling dubiously-kept beer…
However, a favourite pub-crawl … start @ The Lamb in Leadenhall, then the Swan, Ship Tavern Passage then Either the Market Porter or the Rake in Borough Market, then the Lord Clarence (Marshalsea & finish @ the Royal Oak, Tabard Street … where I’m going later this evening.
You must have been very disciplined about the drinks to continue with such a steady hand throughout the whole series of photographs. They’re great by the way, as is the choice of pubs. A fine historic selection.
You did well to sink a pint in all of that lot. Thanks for the tour.
It reminds me of a day in my miss-spent youth when I took up a bet to have a pint in every pub in Market Rasen
Gary
I love it . Stark and head-on perspectives somehow entice the viewer .
A delightful post, gentle author……………….. Greg Tingey’s first line made me smile – “Drunk in all of them”…… Was Greg drunk in all of them, or has he had a drink in all of them?
The shot of Dickens’ bust looking across the dining room spoke to me.
That is one heck of a pub crawl. Great pictures including some of my favourite hostelries and some that I clearly need to visit!
Your recommendations and knowledge of London are always a joy, and I’ve found so many fascinating places to visit through your blog.
I opened this pub crawl with great anticipation only to find I’ve been to each and every one of these pubs many times over the last 20 years. I was really hoping you’d find me some new ones for me.
I guess it confirms we have similar tastes and passion for history and beer. A good mix!
I don’t know if it’s good or bad to say this, but I’ve been in most of these establishments during the 20 years I worked in London 🙂 I’m fond of The Anchor (used to love the upstairs restaurant with the bowed floor and the windows overlooking the river across to the City). The George is my friend’s local, he lives and works walking distance from it. Although it’s a modern place, I also have fond memories of The Founders Arms at Bankside – I worked in the gallery opposite for a while and we often went there after work or to eat.
this is a tardy comment but yes, lovely pics! thanks for all these! so nice to see the jamaica is still there…i knew the george would have to be. had lunch drinks there years ago and just discovered the seven stars – a pub with a sweet, funny personality!
I love to hear about the old pubs of London and I have been to a few of them from your list. I will certainly investigate those on your list that I do not know.
I also like The Prospect of Whitby at Wapping and The Mayflower at Rotherhithe, which are a bit off the beaten track but worth a look and they boast wonderful views of The Thames.
I’m living in Perth, Western Australia at the moment and in moments of homesickness (which are often and intense) i consult your site.
I remember most of these pubs and was a regular at the Cittee of Yorke when my girlfriend was studying law at Grays Inn.
Last time i was in London i went for a nostalgic crawl and wandered into one i’d not been in before but is on your list: “The Seven Stars” on Carey st. Cracker of a pub.