Comments on: The Pubs Of Old London

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:05:39 +0000

I grew up in London during the 1950s, and although my dad wasn’t a heavy drinker to my knowledge, he liked a pint, but more so, the camaraderie of his ‘local’. Many pubs back then had their own personalised cocktail sticks (no doubt for those ladies who had a cherry in their snowball or babycham), some were just a miniaturised swinging pub sign, others more elaborate. My dad amassed quite a collection over time. He died in the mid 60s when I was still a teenager, and I asked my mum whether I could have his collection of cocktail sticks – which I’ve added to over time. One of my favourites is a mini replica of the post office tower where my late husband and I had a meal in the revolving restaurant in its early days. A treasured collection making up a little bit of pub history.

By: Peter Holford

Peter Holford — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 20:35:09 +0000

Fascinating – I can study old photos of pubs for hours imagining what they would have been like. I remember the cellars of pubs from the 1950s onwards as my uncle used to take me with him while he did all the cellar work – a lot of heaving 36 gallon barrels onto racks, tapping them, filtering beer back into them. And I loved the smell – but not the taste! But that was then.

I was surprised at the picture of the pub in Isleworth – it almost looks like a scene from the London Docks and yet it is well upriver of the old urban boundary of London. I checked it out on StreetView – remarkably unchanged apart from the cranes having disappeared and looking rather more gentrified now.

By: Gary Arber

Gary Arber — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:44:32 +0000

The photo of the horse drawn tram in Highgate is very rare. This is the first picture that I have seen of one.
Gary

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:39:54 +0000

Great to see these old photos and lovely that some of these pubs still survive. I’ve had lunch in the George and Vulcan and drinks in Us Olds Cheshire Cheese. In fact my Great Grandfather used to deliver the big cheddar cheese that they used to have on the bar for their patrons and where I presume the name derives from. Read about my Great Grandfathers life working and living in the City of London on this site. Search for William Henry Knapp.

By: Annie S

Annie S — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 14:50:51 +0000

Very interesting to see a photograph of the original Archway Tavern.

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:15:29 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, what a great collection, really a treasure.

When last in London, I made a pilgrimage to The George Inn (your last photo) currently managed by the National Trust – the only surviving galleried coaching inn.

An interesting book about the George is SHAKESPEARE’S PUB, A Barstool History of London as See Through the Windows of Its Oldest Pub – The George Inn by Pete Brown. Rather fanciful as regards the Bard’s presence there, but most informative about the centrality of these “coaching inns” to London’s commercial success.

By: Steve Hanscomb

Steve Hanscomb — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:00:45 +0000

Super photographs. I can only hope that the Still and Star pub in Aldgate isn’t simply the subject matter of old photographs soon. Please readers, write to the council to protest, all is not lost while the pub still stands.

By: Yvonne Kolessides

Yvonne Kolessides — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:35:06 +0000

My old dad was a Battersea boy born and bred and I loved listening to the stories he enjoyed telling..even though I’d heard them many times.
Oh how I’d love to sit and listen just once more..

By: Hugh Macfarlane

Hugh Macfarlane — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 07:53:01 +0000

Fantastic, I love the old pubs of London and have had a drink or two in a few of these, I like the Fox & Crowns at Highgate, which looks so rural. Do all of these still exist? It would be nice to know which do.
Hugh

By: Valerie-Jael

Valerie-Jael — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 06:50:52 +0000

Nice pictures. I love the juxtaposition of ‘World’s end’ and the Salvation Army! Valerie