Historic Pubs
Central
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Princess Louise - 208 High Holborn, WC1. Holborn
tube.
A stones throw from the British Museum, the Princess
Louise is a haven of calm and tranquility from the
bustle of High Holborn. A Grade II listed building,
the Princess Louise is a Victorian gem of cut glass,
plaster ceilings, dark wood, and coloured tiling.
On our visit we nestled by the fire, pint in hand,
and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and good hospitality.
While the pub food won't have the nearby restaurants
quaking in their boots, it was appetising enough.
A great little slice of historic pub life.
Mitre - 24 Craven Terrace, W2. Lancaster Gate
or Paddington Tube.
A Victorian oddity, with a labyrinthine interior fitted
out with a varied mix of furniture and décor.
Elaborately framed pictures hang from the wall, completing
the feel.
Grenadier - 18 Wilton Row, SW1. Hyde Park Corner
or Knightsbridge Tube.
Located in a cobbled mews, the Grenadier has long
military associations - in fact, the Duke of Wellington
was a regular, and the pub is said to be haunted by
the ghost of one of his soldiers. There's even a sentry
box outside, but the pub itself is anything but stuffy
and formal.
On our visit we 'pushed the boat out' and ate in the
small, living room-like Restaurant, where we had an
excellent (albeit pricey) roast lunch. A nice, relaxed
spot for a quiet ale - but don't bring a crowd.
Museum Tavern - Museum Street, WC1. Holborn
or Tottenham Court Road Tube.
There's so much history associated with this bar that
they've written a book about it. Across the road from
the British Museum, there's been a pub here for centuries.
A bit too firmly on the tourist trail, a victim of
its literary associations and handy location.
Kings Head & Eight Bells - 50 Cheyne Walk,
SW3. Sloane Square Tube.
A quiet pub nestled at the end of Cheyne walk, the
King's Head can boast Henry VIII, Ian Fleming, and
TS Eliot as visitors over the centuries.
Lamb & Flag - 33 Rose Street, WC2. Covent
Garden or Leicester Square Tube.
A small, ancient pub now nestled down a side street,
the Lamb & Flag was formerly known by the less
prosaic name of Bucket of Blood. Immortalised by Dickens,
a favourite of John Dryden - who was attacked outside
by loyalists of Charles II - this places drips history.
The window benches are a great spot from which to
people watch.
Bunch of Grapes - 207 Brompton Road, SW3. Knightsbridge
or South Kensington Tube.
A good place to retire to after the hustle and bustle
of Harrods or the V&A, the Grapes is high-Victoriana
personified.
Dog & Duck - 18 Bateman Street, W1. Piccadilly
or Tottenham Court Road Tube.
One of Soho's finest, though small and busy most nights.
Edwardian tiling and mosaics are an indication of
the pub's pedigree.
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