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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