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The Pubs Of Old London

November 10, 2024
by the gentle author

The Vine Tavern, Mile End

I cannot deny I enjoy a drink, especially if there is an old pub with its door wide open to the street inviting custom, like this one in Mile End. In such circumstances, it would be affront to civility if one were not to walk in and order a round. Naturally, my undying loyalty is to The Golden Heart in Commercial St, as the hub of our existence here in Spitalfields and the centre of the known universe. But I have been known to wander over to The Carpenters’ Arms in Cheshire St, The George Tavern in Commercial Rd and The Marksman in Hackney Rd when the fancy takes me.

So you can imagine my excitement – especially now the pubs have re-opened – to discover all these thirst-inspiring images of the pubs of old London among the thousands of glass slides left over from the days of the magic lantern shows given by the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society at the Bishopsgate Institute a century ago. It did set me puzzling over the precise nature of these magic lantern lectures. How is it that among the worthy images of historic landmarks, of celebrated ruins, of interesting holes in the ground, of significant trenches and important church monuments in the City of London, there are so many pictures of public houses? I can only wonder how it came about that the members of the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society photographed such a lot of pubs, and why they should choose to include these images in their edifying public discourse.

Speaking for myself, I could not resist lingering over these loving portraits of the pubs of old London and I found myself intoxicated without even lifting a glass. Join me in the cosy barroom of The Vine Tavern that once stood in the middle of the Mile End Rd. You will recognise me because I shall be the one sitting in front of the empty bottle. Bring your children, bring your dog and enjoy a smoke with your drink, all are permitted in the pubs of old London – but no-one gets to go home until we have visited every one.

The Saracen’s Head, Aldgate

The Grapes, Limehouse

George & Vulture, City of London

The Green Dragon, Highgate

The Grenadier, Old Barrack Yard

The London Apprentice, Isleworth

Mitre Tavern, Hatton Garden

The Old Tabard, Borough High St

The Three Compasses, Hornsey

The White Hart, Lewisham

The famous buns hanging over the bar at The Widow’s Son, Bow

The World’s End, Chelsea, with the Salvation Army next door.

The Angel Inn, Highgate

The Archway Tavern, Highgate

The Bull, Highgate

The Castle, Battersea

The Old Cheshire Cheese, Fleet St

The Old Dick Whittington, Cloth Fair, Smithfield

Fox & Crowns, Highgate

The Fox, Shooter’s Hill

The Albion, Barnesbury

The Anchor, Bankside

The George, Borough High St

Images courtesy Bishopsgate Institute

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Sandra Esqulant, The Golden Heart

At the Ten Bells

The Carpenter’s Arms, Gangster Pub

At the Grapes in Limehouse

At the Hoop & Grapes

At the Two Puddings

At Simpsons Tavern

At Dirty Dick’s

At the Birdcage

7 Responses leave one →
  1. James Hurley permalink
    November 10, 2024

    A wonderfully evocative collection of photographs.

  2. November 10, 2024

    I also enjoy visiting a cosy pub at this time of year . Preferably one with a crackling fire, low beams and that serves apricot brandy – my favourite winter tipple. On my walk home from the station after after my return commute, I choose to torture myself by walking past the King Charles House in New St, Worcester, which has all of those essential ingredients. It also has a wobbly floor, a suit of armour, and a ghost allegedly.
    In your series, there is one galleried in without a name. For completeness sake, it would be interesting to know which this image belongs to.
    I still think that a Gentle Author’s pub crawl/ walk and talk, would be a capital idea.

  3. Cherub permalink
    November 10, 2024

    Fascinating to see the Mile End of years ago. When I worked in the City my boss used to treat me to lunch at The Anchor every now and then, he was Japanese and loved the old bowed floor in the upstairs dining room and being seated at a table in the window. My last visit to London was in 2013, a friend who lives in Southwark took me to The George; despite the fact I’d spent 20 years working in London around the City, Bankside and Spitalfields I had no idea it existed.

  4. Milo permalink
    November 10, 2024

    You always meet the most interesting people in pubs, people you wouldn’t get to talk to anywhere else. (Of course one gets the occasional pub bore but you eventually learn how to steer clear of them. It takes time, drink and plenty of resolve)

    After being away from London for a while I wandered into a pub down a side road in Chelsea a few years ago. It was quite late, busy and I grabbed a drink and the one free table. Soon after, a dapper elderly gentleman, struggling under a huge backpack, came in and stood there wondering what to do. I offered space at my table and he divested himself of his load, got a drink and joined me. Turned out he’d just got back from months away in the wilds of Costa Rica and Belize. Fascinating chap. We chatted till closing time whereupon he lifted his pack to his shoulder and went off to his nearby flat for a shower and kip. Priorities…

  5. George Kearse permalink
    November 10, 2024

    The photo between The Fox, Shooter’s Hill and The Albion, Barnesbury is not titled – it looks a great watering hole for sure with that balcony.
    The George, Borough High St had me checking to see how it looked today – very recognisable I must say.
    Your mention of The Golden Heart in Commercial St as well as The Carpenters’ Arms in Cheshire St, The George Tavern in Commercial Rd and The Marksman in Hackney Rd set me looking to see these too. I love a pub that has retained it’s character behind the front door.

  6. Baden Smith permalink
    November 11, 2024

    I should think it’s it’s quite obvious why there are so many images of pubs – “Phew, this photography’s hard work, eh? Say, we’re right by this pub we’ve just done – might as well pop in for a pint, hmmm? What a lucky coincidence…”

  7. Peter permalink
    November 11, 2024

    Following on from George’s comment, I’d love to know the name of the untitled galleried pub if anyone has any ideas! Fantastic set of photos!! Thanks

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