Discover the best traditional pubs in London. More than one of these pubs lays claim to being the oldest pub in London, and all of them have a bit of local legend thrown in for good measure. Cheers!
Oldest pubs in London
Step back in time at one of the oldest pubs in London dating back several centuries, filled with relics of the past and tales of times gone by.
Prospect of Whitby
Head to Wapping, on the north bank of the Thames, to find what is thought to be London’s oldest riverside pub, the Prospect of Whitby. Dating to 1520, the pub was a meeting place for sailors, thieves, smugglers and pirates, as well as being one of Samuel Pepys' favourite watering holes. Try some great cask ales at the old pewter-top bar and enjoy spectacular views of the river from the terrace.
Where: Wapping (57 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SH)
Ye Olde Mitre
Visit historic Ye Olde Mitre in Holborn for top-notch real ales, delicious homemade bar snacks and its celebrated sandwiches. Constructed in 1546, the pub was home to a cherry tree that Elizabeth I once danced around with Sir Christopher Hatton and also featured in cult movie Snatch.
Where: Holborn (1 Ely Ct, Ely Pl, London EC1N 6SJ)
The Mayflower
A true hidden gem, tucked away in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower stands close to where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail in 1620 for what is now the United States. Expect stunning views of the river Thames, an open fireplace and delicious British dishes, plus lots of charm. The Mayflower is also the only pub in London with a licence to sell stamps, in memory of the seafarers who once stopped here for a pint and a postage stamp.
Where: Rotherhithe (117 Rotherhithe St, London SE16 4NF)
The Spaniards Inn
Historic The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead boasts an impressive literary heritage, featuring in Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers and in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. While not the oldest pub in London, the building has been around since 1585. This romantic pub also inspired Keats’ Ode to a Nightingale, which was allegedly written in its beautiful garden. Relax on the big beer terrace on a summer’s day, or get cosy by the roaring fire on cold winter evenings.
Where: Hampstead (Spaniards Rd, London NW3 7JJ)
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
You’ll have to venture off Fleet Street, down a very narrow alley, to find the legendary Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. This London institution features many fascinating rooms with cosy fireplaces, connected by tight passageways. Its gloomy charm made Charles Dickens a regular; while Dr. Samuel Johnson, whose London home was just around the corner, is also said to have been a visitor.
Where: Fleet Street (145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BP)
Historic London pubs
From taverns that inspired famous literary works to institutions that housed pivotal moments in time, set foot inside one of these London pubs brimming with history.
The French House
Step into a little piece of France at The French House in Soho. Famous for serving beer by half pints, this lively pub has a “no music, no phones” rule, preserving the chatty atmosphere. Since opening as the York Minster in 1891, it’s seen the likes of Dylan Thomas, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud pass through its doors.
Where: Soho (49 Dean St, London W1D 5BG)
The Cutty Sark
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Thames from The Cutty Sark's wide Georgian windows, and feast on a traditional Sunday roast as you watch the world go by. This Grade II-listed Greenwich institution is more than 200 years old and offers an impressive list of draught beers, lovely decor and a fantastic riverside terrace. Originally known as The Green Man, then The Union Tavern, the pub was eventually renamed after the arrival of the famous tea clipper in 1951.
Where: Greenwich (4-6 Ballast Quay, London SE10 9PD)
The George Inn
Discover the only surviving galleried inn in the capital, which is also among the oldest pubs in London. Now belonging to the National Trust, The George Inn in Borough boasts several beautiful rooms and a traditional restaurant upstairs, where the inn’s bedrooms for weary travellers used to be located. Charles Dickens visited the site when it was a coffee house and mentioned it in his novel Little Dorrit.
Where: Borough (77 Borough High Street, Southwark, London, SE1 1NH)
The Viaduct Tavern
Take a break from exploring one of the most historic parts of London at The Viaduct Tavern, near St Paul’s Cathedral. Said to be built on the site of a former prison, this wonderful public house and gin palace still has five cells visible in the basement. Try the flawless gin and tonics, served with block ice and cool garnishes, and look out for the old booth where the Victorian landlady used to sell gin tokens to customers.
Where: St Paul’s (126 Newgate St, London EC1A 7AA)
Anchor Bankside
It's from centuries-old Anchor Bankside that Samuel Pepys watched the Great Fire of London rage in 1666. Discover one of the most famous pubs on the Thames, and imagine stepping back in time to when the area was at the centre of Shakespeare’s “theatreland”; with the Globe Theatre being a few steps away. Visit in the summer to make the most of the impressive outdoor space at this riverside pub.
Where: South Bank (34 Park St, London SE1 9EF)
The Seven Stars
Established in 1602, cosy Holborn spot The Seven Stars is housed in a Grade II-listed building that was one of the few taverns in the area to survive the Great Fire of London. Stay for some good, honest home-cooking and a choice of ales.
Where: Holborn (53 Carey St, London WC2A 2JB)
The Ten Bells
Head to Shoreditch favourite The Ten Bells for a traditional pub atmosphere and an old London feel. The Ten Bells dates to the 17th century and two of Jack The Ripper’s victims, Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly, were known visitors. Plus, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s great-great-grandfather was a landlord at the pub during the 1880s.
Where: Shoreditch (84 Commercial St, London E1 6LY)
Traditional British pubs in London
Enjoy a cold tipple at a classic British London pub with traditional features and longstanding reputation.
The Dove
Once popular with Regency writers and the Pre-Raphaelites, The Dove is now a top destination for ale lovers and one of the best pubs in London. A Fuller’s pub since the late 19th century, this Hammersmith favourite offers excellent bottled beers and a great selection on tap. Tucked away down a narrow road, The Dove conceals a marvellous riverside terrace that makes it the ideal destination for a pint or two in the summer.
Where: Hammersmith (19 Upper Mall, London W6 9TA)
Lamb & Flag
Charles Dickens’ old favourite the Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden dates to 1772, and has seen all kinds of people passing through its doors. In the early 19th century, this traditional London pub was popular for brutal bare-knuckle fighting, which earned it the name “The Bucket of Blood”. Today, the old charm survives in a friendlier setting, together with excellent real ale and jazz nights on the last Sunday of the month.
Where: Covent Garden (33 Rose Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9EB)
The Grapes
Travel back in time at The Grapes, a charming riverside pub in Limehouse owned by actor Sir Ian McKellen. Charles Dickens used to visit his godfather in the area, and he mentions the pub in the opening chapter of Our Mutual Friend. Stop for a pint, and get lost in the pages of the famous author – The Grapes features a cosy parlour filled with his writings.
Where: Limehouse (76 Narrow St, London E14 8BP)
The Grenadier
Legend has it, sometime in the late 19th century, a young grenadier named Cedric was killed in a public house in Belgravia, having been caught cheating at a game of cards. Head to The Grenadier for a chance to spot his ghost wandering the pub’s mysterious nooks, and take part in the tradition of attaching banknotes to the ceiling – that’s the only way to redeem Cedric’s soul, apparently.
Where: Belgravia (18 Wilton Row, London SW1X 7NR)
The Guinea Grill
A pub has been on the site of this Mayfair stalwart since 1423, and since 1952 it’s become the go-to place for pies and grilled meats – in particular aged steaks served in The Guinea Grill's restaurant. Take in the historic decor and enjoy beers supplied by Young's London brewery.
Where: Mayfair (30 Bruton Pl, London W1J 6NL)
Still thirsty for more? Keep exploring London's pub scene at the top cosy pubs in the capital. Sip on draught beers with a view at a riverside pub, or try a freshly brewed pint at one of London's best breweries.
