London is a beautiful city with much to see, and there are few symbols that say “London” more than the traditional English Pub. A visit to at least one – or better yet, several – of these establishments is an integral part of the London experience. London has hundreds of pubs to choose from, but not all of them are in great repair, and not all are geared towards tourists. Here are few, though, that are historic and authentic, and will certainly make any traveler feel at home in London.
- The Albert Tavern. This pub, built in 1864, has many elegant features such as etched glass windows and an ornate ceiling. The Victorian-style building remains virtually unchanged from its opening day in 1864. Along with ale, wine, soft drinks, and coffee, the pub also serves food — classic British fare that you’ll be sure to enjoy. The Albert is popular with tourists and is located within a short distance of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Victoria Station. This is a large pub, so it’s a good choice if you’re traveling with a group.
- The Dove. This 17th century pub is located on the river, and sitting outside with a drink enjoying the view is a rare pleasure. The inside décor is very classical English pub. The building features oak beams, a brick façade, and an open fireplace. What sets this pub apart are the legends that surround it. The composer of “Rule Brittania” lived upstairs and also died there. Famous personalities such as Graham Greene, Ernest Hemingway, and Richard Burton, among others, came there to drink, and this fact is immortalized on the walls for visitors to see. It was once rumored that King Charles II snuck off to meet Nell Gwynne at the Dove for an illicit affair. At the Dove, you’ll feel a part of the history and legend that permeates the place.
- The Argyll Arms. The Argyll Arms is one of the most attractive London pubs. In 1895, the pub installed acid-etched glass screens to divide up the interior of the pub in an attempt to put a stop to fist fights between middle class and working class customers. It would seem that the tactic worked, because the screens still survive today. The result is a pub with distinguished looking subdivisions for drinking.
- The Coach & Horses. This pub, located on Greek street in Leicester Square, is simpler and less flashy than some of the others on this list, but it is both famous and well-loved just the same. There are other pubs in London that carry the same name, but only this one was a regular hangout of Francis Bacon, and journalist Jeffrey Barnard. It may not be fancy, but it’s homey and relaxing, and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
It would be impossible to list the attributes of all the wonderful pubs that can be found in London, but if you’re planning to spend some time in London, these should be on your list of pubs to explore. If you want to visit more of England, or even Paris and other countries in Europe after London, Globus tours offers some great itineraries in 2014.
