There are a few more quintessentially English experiences than enjoying a pint of ale in a centuries old public house. This walking tour takes you on a unique experience to some of the oldest and most famous pubs in London.
Meet your guide at the foot of the steps of the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, before a short walk to our first stop ‘The Centre Page’ with its long and distinguished past as one of the oldest surviving alehouses of London.
The Centre Page, has gone by many names such as ‘The Horn Tavern’, ‘The Horn Coffee House’ and ‘The Bugell’ and was referenced in the diary of Samuel Pepys in 1663, and in the Charles Dickens’ classic ‘The Pickwick Papers’. It was said that Guy Fawkes also frequented here, conducting a meeting within its cellar walls!
Crossing the Millennium Birdge to London’s famous Bankside – take in the stunning views of the city as your cross the river before stopping to see The Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. We’ll visit The Anchor Bankside, situated on the banks of The Thames. It is suggested that Shakespeare himself enjoyed a pint of ale or two within the walls of The Anchor which is very close to the original Globe Theatre site. Throughout London’s history, The Anchor has been used as a tavern, a brewery, and ship’s chandlers and has played host to a wealth of other notable partons including Dr. Samuel Johnson, another of England’s best known literary figures.
The pub contains a room dedicated to the ‘Clink’ prison, which can be found nearby in the aptly named Clink Street on our way to our next stop, The Old Thameside Inn. On the short walk along the river, you will see The Clink prison, owned by the Bishop of Winchester, and built for the detention of religious non-conformists - it was the first prison in which women were regularly confined. You will also see all that remains of the Palace of Winchester, which was one of the largest and most important buildings in medieval London.
The Old Thameside Inn is a traditional pub of unique character. History oozes from the great beams and ancient brickwork of the Old Thameside Inn, once an old spice warehouse. Here you’ll enjoy three samples of Britain’s finest beer whilst hearing about the brewing process. Guests can take in wonderful river views of the city as they sit in awe of a life-size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship – The Golden Hind – the pub’s famous neighbour! Your tour ends here so you can take your time and enjoy you’re the wide selection of ales at your own pace or great quality *pub food, which are served, as they should be, with a generous measure of famous British hospitality. |