London is an incredible city historically, artistically, and culturally: one cannot count the monuments and landmarks of this metropolis, such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, not to mention the amount of world-class gardens and museums.
However, one cannot fail to treat oneself to some pampering in London, leaving aside the tourist’s robes and donning those of the most typical Londoner and, as such, wandering among the city’s most beautiful and historic pubs. In these settings, sometimes ancient and laden with history and legends, there is the most authentic British atmosphere, among wooden counters, London ales, pies and Yorkshire pudding. While during the day they are the perfect place to have a great typical meal in less touristy settings, in the evening you can often listen to live music and socialize with British people.
You can’t count the number of pubs in London, but there are some that are really not to be missed: here are the ten most typical London pubs to visit during a vacation in the English capital.
The Blackfriar Pub
This pub is located on Queen Victoria Street, not far from Blackfriars Bridge and the Tate Modern Gallery: it was established in 1875 where a Dominican convent once stood, and the façade is striking to visitors, with the colorful mosaic and especially the statue of a black friar highlighting the pub’s triangular floor plan. A fireplace, soft lighting and paintings of monks make the atmosphere of Blackfriars Pub very special, especially in the intimate Grotto room that looks just like a chapel.
The Spanlords Inn
In the heart of the affluent residential neighborhood of Hampstead is this one of the ten most typical pubs in London, which, with its romantic air, is mentioned by Dickens in “The Pickwick Circle.” It dates back to the 16th century and welcomes guests with period wooden furniture and bound books: sipping a warm drink in light of the many stories that envelop this place is priceless. The Spanlords is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the former Spanlords owners and that of highwayman Dick Turnpin and his steed, whose hooves would be heard in the parking lot in front.
Prospect of Whitby
This pub stands on the right bank of the Thames and was formerly called the Devil’s Den, being a haunt of smugglers, thieves and highwaymen. It dates back to 1520 and its name refers to the freighter that used to moor in the vicinity of the pub. Inside the Prospect of Whitby is preserved a 4-century-old floor and around it are maritime artifacts, including ropes, wreck parts and lanterns. It is the perfect place to enjoy a fine Cask Ale on a pewter balcony overlooking the Thames.
The Grenadier
The Grenadier is one of the ten most typical pubs in London and is located in a side alley in Belgravia: it was once frequented by officers and soldiers of the Duke of Wellington Grenadier and is said to be one of the most haunted places in the city. Thrill-seekers can enjoy a plate of Filet Wellington and experience the special atmosphere of the venue, where even a TV crew would catch the ghostly head of a soldier looking out a window.
Ye Olde Mitre
The name of this 1546 venue located in Holborn refers to an episcopal miter imprinted in the sign and to the petrified miter said to be hidden within the venue’s walls. Scotch eggs and traditional pies are a must at this London venue, which also hosts a Beer Festival. The decor is intimate and warm with lamps on the walls and wood on the benches and walls. At one time there was a cherry tree outside the pub, around which Elizabeth I is said to have danced with Sir Christopher Hatton.
The Mayflower Pub
The name of this, which is one of the ten most typical pubs in London, harks back to the Pilgrim Fathers and the Mayflower ship moored in the outer dock just a stone’s throw from the pub. The pub is located in the picturesque Rotherhite neighborhood, in an 18th-century building: it is the only pub still allowed to sell stamps in memory of the very sailors who frequented this pub to sip a pint. At the Mayflower Pub, patrons can enjoy the most typical English dishes, with also a wide selection of fine wines and traditional beers.
The Anchor
In the heart of the Southwark neighborhood is The Anchor pub, located in an 18th-century building on the banks of the Thames, a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern Gallery and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Shakespeare himself and Dickens loved to frequent this very old pub with reddish windows: it seems that from the tables of this bar Samuel Pepys observed the Great Fire that struck London in 1666.
Agyll Arms
Not far from the Oxford Circus stop is this pub considered among the finest in all of London: its name refers to Duke Argyll, who lived in the building that houses the pub in the 1700s.
The venue’s furnishings date back to 1862, and the late Victorian style shows all its elegance and opulence, including mahogany furniture, vintage-looking sliding glass windows, frosted stained glass, and mirrors. Complementing this are the red stuccoes that decorate the ceiling.
The Lamb & Flag
The Lamb & Flag pub is located in the heart of Covent Garden and is the perfect place for lovers of the most British tradition: in fact, it is one of the ten most typical pubs in London and is located in a fairly hidden alley where, in the past, people literally fought with their bare hands. Apparently Charles Dickens loved to spend his leisure time in London pubs, and this one is no exception, as was the poet John Dryden (moreover, the victim of a vicious aggresisone in the vicinity of the pub). Dryden also names an upstairs room, which everyone can reach by climbing a steep wooden staircase.
On St. George’s Day, the pub dresses up, with flag decks decorating its facade.
The Princess Louise
The Holborn area is one of the most interesting in London, and the beautiful street of Sicilian Avenue, which has been declared a national monument, is located here. This neighborhood is home to The Princess Lousie pub, whose Victorian-style interior is the best preserved in the entire English capital. There is no shortage of dark woods, elegant mirrors, highly polished wood paneling, and glass booths that have direct access to the bar counter. Complementing the intimate and elegant atmosphere is the large, characteristic period fireplace.
