London Historical Pubs: Drink & Discover Lost Stories
A Walking & Drinking Tour Through London’s Most Legendary Pubs
If you love a pint with a side of history, this tour is for you! Step into centuries-old pubs, sip traditional ales, and uncover the scandalous, literary, and royal tales hidden within these historic watering holes. From Victorian gin palaces to haunts of kings, writers, and revolutionaries, this is your chance to experience London’s pub culture like never before.
Highlights:
• Enjoy a drink at the pub where Charles Dickens used to write and drink.
• Visit a hidden historic tavern where Queen Elizabeth I is said to have danced.
• Have a pint at London’s most famous journalist pub, serving since 1667.
• Discover the last surviving Victorian gin palace in the city.
• Step inside a strikingly eccentric religious-themed pub.
• Explore a 400-year-old pub once frequented by London’s legal professionals.
Tour Overview:
Your adventure begins at a beautifully preserved Victorian pub, once a favorite of Charles Dickens. This establishment, described by English Heritage as “an exceptional piece of Victoriana,” still maintains its old-world charm. Here, you’ll enjoy your first pint of traditional ale, just as Dickens may have done.
Next, your guide will take you to one of London’s most hidden pubs, tucked away from plain sight. This historic gem is rumored to have hosted Queen Elizabeth I, who is said to have danced around a cherry tree still standing in the courtyard. With no TVs or modern distractions, this pub remains a pure, unspoiled drinking experience, just as it was centuries ago.
From there, journey to the most famous pub for journalists, a haunt for Fleet Street’s finest since 1667. Over the centuries, Samuel Johnson, Charles Dickens, and generations of writers and reporters have occupied its labyrinth of snug nooks and wooden booths. Raise a glass and soak in the literary atmosphere that still lingers in the air.
Your next stop is a pub with a past as wild as its decor—a former prison with beer cellars built into its old cells. Riotous, rowdy, and full of character, this pub offers an unforgettable experience with its ghostly legends and scandalous history.
Then, step into the last remaining Victorian gin palace in London, a dazzling tribute to the opulence of the gin craze. With its ornate mirrors, gas lamps, and extravagant interiors, you’ll feel as if you’ve traveled back in time to 19th-century London.
Finally, the tour ends at one of London’s oldest pubs, dating back over 400 years. Tucked behind the Royal Courts of Justice, this tiny historic gem has been a favorite for lawyers, judges, and legal clerks for centuries. Surviving the Great Fire of London, this pub has more stories than most—and plenty of fine ales to match.
A Night of Stories, Scandals & Spirits
This tour is perfect for history lovers, beer enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a truly authentic London experience. Whether you’re raising a pint where Dickens once drank, stepping into the footsteps of royalty, or uncovering forgotten secrets in hidden corners of the city, this historical pub tour will leave you thirsty for more!
Price:
£1484 per group