One of the strongest contenders for the difficult-to-confirm title of London’s oldest pub, the Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden was infamous in the 19th century for its bare-knuckle brawls - so much so that it was known to locals as the Bucket of Blood. John Dryden was attacked here in 1679. The Poet Laureate was pounced on by masked thugs suspected to have been hired by his rival John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester. Today, the Lamb and Flag, tucked away in Rose Street and Lazenby Court, is a warm and welcoming old-world establishment with a fantastic range of real ale and classic British pub grub - but do expect to pay Covent Garden prices for a pint.placeholder image
One of the strongest contenders for the difficult-to-confirm title of London’s oldest pub, the Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden was infamous in the 19th century for its bare-knuckle brawls - so much so that it was known to locals as the Bucket of Blood. John Dryden was attacked here in 1679. The Poet Laureate was pounced on by masked thugs suspected to have been hired by his rival John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester. Today, the Lamb and Flag, tucked away in Rose Street and Lazenby Court, is a warm and welcoming old-world establishment with a fantastic range of real ale and classic British pub grub - but do expect to pay Covent Garden prices for a pint. | Google Maps

Five historical London pubs for a hearty pint this winter

By Ruben Bennett

Reporter

Published 13th Jan 2024, 14:03 GMT
Updated 13th Jan 2024, 14:04 GMT

We've picked out five pubs whose rich histories help make London the city it is.

With our local areas ever-more dominated by extortionate gastro-pubs and overwhelming late-night venues, a proper old-fashioned pub is becoming harder and harder to come by in London.

That’s why LondonWorld has put together five cosy establishments to help pass the winter months - with no seafood starters or cocktail menus shoved in your face.

Another pub for the famed, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was allegedly frequented by Charles Dickens, Dr Samuel Johnson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. One of the oldest pubs in the capital, the Cheese was rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666. This gloomy old boozer, tucked down a narrow alley just off Fleet Street, is deceptively large with many different rooms and bars. They usually have an open fire in the winter, with the bar room adorned with plaques of its famous regulars. Its website even describes it as “probably the most famous pub in the world”.

5. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Another pub for the famed, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was allegedly frequented by Charles Dickens, Dr Samuel Johnson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. One of the oldest pubs in the capital, the Cheese was rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666. This gloomy old boozer, tucked down a narrow alley just off Fleet Street, is deceptively large with many different rooms and bars. They usually have an open fire in the winter, with the bar room adorned with plaques of its famous regulars. Its website even describes it as “probably the most famous pub in the world”. | Getty Images Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images

Previous
2 / 2
Next Page
Related topics:PubsLondon
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice