{"id":397,"date":"2016-04-11T10:28:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T09:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/?p=397"},"modified":"2025-09-17T15:35:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T14:35:03","slug":"nine-of-the-best-historic-pubs-in-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/nine-of-the-best-historic-pubs-in-london\/","title":{"rendered":"London&#8217;s most iconic historic pubs you must visit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Among visitors from across the globe, one of the most celebrated <a href=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/why-its-fun-to-be-british\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">British customs<\/a> to experience is sipping on a pint of ale in a traditional public house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when these taverns have a history dating back through the centuries, they\u2019re as culturally insightful as they are charismatic. Drink in the same spot as some of the city\u2019s most infamous characters as you soak up the atmosphere of the greatest historic pubs in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What are the most iconic historic pubs in London?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Star Tavern<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Grenadier<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Sherlock Holmes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Dog and Duck<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Cross Keys<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Viaduct Tavern<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ye Old Cheshire Cheese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cittie of Yorke<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The George Inn<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Read to sip great beer while stepping back in time? Follow our guide below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/historic-pub-london.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"651\" src=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/historic-pub-london-1024x651.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/historic-pub-london-1024x651.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/historic-pub-london-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/historic-pub-london.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Star Tavern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having been built in the early 19<sup>th<\/sup> century, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.star-tavern-belgravia.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Star Tavern<\/em><\/a> has a long and rich history, but it\u2019s the role this pub has had in more recent times that captivates people today. In the 1950s and \u201860s, the pub was the local haunt of stars of the time, like Diana Dors and Peter O\u2019Toole, alongside London\u2019s master criminal set who made the pub their meeting point for planning their infamous heist, The Great Train Robbery. Now, the tavern serves up hearty pub fare, earning it a place in the Good Food Guide, in addition to being awarded the Fuller\u2019s Master Cellarman accolade for its offering of ale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Grenadier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dating back to 1720, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grenadierbelgravia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Grenadier<\/em><\/a> was originally built as the Duke of Wellington\u2019s Officers\u2019 Mess \u2013 also said to have been frequented by King George IV \u2013 before becoming a pub in 1818 named The Guardsman Public House. The Grenadier is believed to have since taken its name from a Grenadier who was caught cheating in a game of cards on the premises and murdered as punishment, and who people now believe haunts the pub, putting it on the Taylor Walker haunted pubs trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Sherlock Holmes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Combine visiting a historic pub with appreciating the fictional Sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Built in 1736, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greeneking.co.uk\/pubs\/greater-london\/sherlock-holmes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Sherlock Holmes<\/em><\/a> was originally the Northumberland Hotel, which may be the hotel of the same name that was featured in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle\u2019s famous detective stories. The pub now showcases a collection of Sherlock memorabilia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Dog and Duck<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This Soho tavern is most famous for the clientele it\u2019s served throughout its history, from John Constable and George Orwell in its early years to celebrities like Madonna in recent times.  Originally built in 1734 on the site of the Duke of Monmouth\u2019s home, then rebuilt in 1897 to become what it is today, the Grade II-listed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk\/restaurants\/london\/thedogandducksoholondon#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Dog and Duck<\/em><\/a> retains its period d\u00e9cor, making it an atmospheric setting for sipping ale and tucking into classic British cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Cross Keys<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tucked into the streets of Covent Garden, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.londonpubexplorer.com\/central-classics\/the-cross-keys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Cross Keys<\/em><\/a> has one of London\u2019s most appealing pub facades, with striking signage that reflects its historic roots, entwined in lush foliage. Inside, the d\u00e9cor is reminiscent of the Victorian era, stuffed with curios and memorabilia, including a napkin that Elvis Presley said was signed. Come for the pub\u2019s homemade pies, or stop by on a Sunday for a traditional roast dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Viaduct Tavern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Established in 1869, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viaducttavern.co.uk\/\">The Viaduct Tavern<\/a><\/em> is London\u2019s last remaining Victorian gin palace and still has the distinctive, striking interiors to prove it, including the booth where the landlady sold gin tokens to patrons and decorative panels on each wall. Situated opposite the Old Bailey, the tavern is within moments of historic landmarks such as St Paul\u2019s Cathedral. Stop by for Fuller\u2019s ales, outstanding G&amp;Ts and casual pub fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ye Old Cheshire Cheese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Celebrated as one of London\u2019s most charismatic pubs, Grade II-listed <em><a href=\"https:\/\/ye-olde-cheshire-cheese.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ye Old Cheshire Cheese<\/a><\/em> was rebuilt after the 1666 Great Fire of London. In its Fleet Street setting, the pub has been the haunt of <a href=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/15-inspiring-books-to-learn-about-british-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">literary greats like Charles Dickens<\/a>, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Fleet Street journalists of the 20th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For around 40 years, it was also home to an African grey parrot named Polly, who became so famous that around 200 newspapers worldwide wrote its obituary when it died in 1927. Patrons now come to sip on Sam Smith\u2019s beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cittie of Yorke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As another of London\u2019s grade II listed pubs, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/cittieofyorke.website\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cittie of Yorke<\/a><\/em> goes back to 1430, although the structure that remains today was built in the 1920s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having retained its original features, the pub houses period features like a grand hall, Victorian stove and the famous Henneky\u2019s Long Bar, taken from the pub\u2019s former name and boasting the title of the longest bar in Britain. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas even wrote an impromptu drinking ditty when he enjoyed a drink here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The George Inn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As London\u2019s only remaining galleried coaching inn, and with 300 years of history, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.george-southwark.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The George Inn<\/em><\/a> is well worth a visit for its heritage and ambience. The pub, which is now owned by the National Trust, is known to be where Charles Dickens drank, even referring to it in his novel Little Dorrit. The pub serves up seasonal cuisine, with British classics like sausages and mash, a Sunday roast and Eton Mess on the menu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read to sip great beer while stepping back in time? Follow our guide!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1330,1329,598,587,1836,622,621],"tags":[1552,811],"class_list":{"0":"post-397","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-british-culture","8":"category-british-history","9":"category-food-drink","10":"category-london","11":"category-london-history","12":"category-places-to-visit","13":"category-things-to-do","14":"tag-historic-pubs-london","15":"tag-london-pubs"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Nine of the Best Historic Pubs in London<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the most celebrated British customs is sipping on a pint of ale in a public 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