London - 6 historic pubs by Mark Sukhija

  1. The Princess Louise (208 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7BW) - Without a doubt, The Princess Louise is a fine example of a Victorian pub complete with snugs and neatly etched partitions. Now a Samuel Smith's pub it's a little off the standard tourist trail of London which means there's some real people doing real things.

  2. The Argyll Arms (18 Argyll St, London, W1F 7TP) - Originally built in 1742 but remodelled in 1895, the The Argyll Arms boasts a Victorian interior complete with snugs and etched-glass partitions. Named for the second Duke of Argyll who lived in a mansion where the London Palladium now stands, The Argyll Arms offers a selection of real ales. The Argyll Arms is often packed with tourists and shoppers - so does lack a little authenticity.

  3. Ye Old Cheshire Cheese (Wine Office Court, 145 Fleet Street, City of London, London EC4A 2BU) - Probably one of the most famous London pubs, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese was rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire of London and has operated as a pub ever since. A maze of rooms on several floors, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese was frequented by Samuel Johnson (whose house is nearby) and other literatti of bygone ages Ye Old Cheshire Cheese is now run by Samuel Smith's and offers an fine range of good quality beers and decent food.

  4. The George Inn (77 Borough High Street, Borough, London SE1 1NH) - The George Inn is London's only remaining galleried coaching inn - many others were destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. The George Inn is now owned by National Trust and operated by Greene King close to Borough Market making it an ideal accompaniment to a visit to one of London's finest markets. Charles Dickens frequented The George Inn and, indeed, mentioned it in "The Little Dorrit."

  5. The Salisbury (90 St. Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AP) - Originally known as "Salisbury Stores", The Salisbury was converted to a pub during the Victorian Golden Age of pubs and gin palaces and both the interior and exterior date from this time - with typical etched glass inside. Enjoy a glass of Adnams Bombadier.

  6. The Prospect of Whitby (57 Wapping Wall, Wapping, Tower Hamlets, London E1W 3SJ) - The Prospect of Whitby is certainly one of London's most famous pubs and is, apparently, the oldest on the banks of the River Thames - originally as a pub to serve the expanding London ports. It duly became a meeting place for smugglers, thieves and others of ill-repute (hence the original name "Devils Tavern") before being gutted by fire in the 19th Century. Diarist Samuel Pepys and Judge Jeffries (the notorious "Hanging Judge") both frequented The Prospect of Whitby

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Map

Further reading

London markets - 15 of the best markets - 15 food, antiques and clothing markets in London worth visiting

London - 4 Samuel Smiths pubs - Four great Samuel Smtihs pubs around London for a drink

London - the 11 best pubs - 11 great pubs to have a beer in in London

London - museums not to miss - Information on and about the museums in London

City of London - 4 great pubs - The best pubs in the City of London - the financial district of London

London - 15 things not to miss - Fifteen things no visitor to London should miss

London - The First Emperor at the British Museum - A trip to the British Museum to see The First Emperor exhibition featuring The Terracotta Army

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Diamond Jubilee - Royal Salute - Royal salute for the Household Cavalry at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

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The City of London - Official website of the City of London

Key facts

Name: The Argyll Arms
Address:
18 Argyll St, London, W1F 7TP
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Name: The George Inn
Address:
77 Borough High Street, Borough, London SE1 1NH
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Name: The Princess Louise
Address:
208 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7BW
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Name: The Prospect of Whitby
Address:
57 Wapping Wall, Wapping, Tower Hamlets, London E1W 3SJ
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Name: The Salisbury
Address:
90 St. Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AP
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Name: Ye Old Cheshire Cheese
Address:
Wine Office Court, 145 Fleet Street, City of London, London EC4A 2BU
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About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook