Private Walking Tour: Historic and Hidden Pubs of London

ate guide to begin your trail through the best and most historic pubs London has to offer. A relaxed, informative, and enjoyable tour tailored to your interests and pace. First up is -The Mayflower This waterside Tavern dates back to the 1500's, and in 1620 Christopher Jones docked his ship outside the Tavern. That ship was called the Mayflower and would take the founding colonists out to the New World that would become the USA. Those who have ancestry back to the Mayflower can ask to sign the register kept behind the bar. You can even purchase postage stamps, this tradition goes back to the time when the area was alive with sailors from all over the globe. They often had no time to go to a post office when ashore, so the Mayflower was granted a special licence. Crammed full of nautical items, a cosy fire place and candle lit, you really could be in a different age.

Often referred to as William Shakespeare local, it also has connections to Charles Dickens and Sir Winston Churchill. The yard next to the George used to be the site of the Tabard Inn, featured in Canterbury Tales. The Bear Baiting, Cock Fighting and Bare knuckle Boxing may be long gone, but the George retains many of it's period features and eccentric clientele. Shakespeare if said to have performed plays in the courtyard here.

nce the 1700's it's no wonder this Pub features on lists of the most atmospheric sites in London. A truly Dickensian Pub. The upstairs bar is as traditional as you can imagine, complete with a fireplace and wooden paneling that dates back to the reign of Charles II. Dr Samuel Johnson, David Garrick, and James Boswell are all said to have supped Ale and dined on Chops here. The most famous resident of this pub is Polly who sits stuffed in a glass box above the bar. This celebrity Parrot lived in the Pub for over 30 years, and became notorious for bad language and mimicking the sound of corks popping! Apparently the Hellfire Club met in the upper rooms here. The erotic tiles discovered in the 1960's seem to support that rumor. As your personal guide, I will make sure you know all the fascinating history of this very special pub.

A pub with a history stretching back to Tudor times. It is said the doorway is propped up with a tree that Queen Elizabeth I danced around. Tucked away down a tiny alley even people familiar with the area find Ye Olde Mitre hard to find. Definitely a strong candidate for London's oldest pub, It is also in the Diamond quarter of London, Hatton Garden. I wouldn't be surprised if some retired Safe Breakers, and Bank Robbers are among the regulars. It has certainly featured in many films and TV shows over the years, notably Snatch starring Brad Pitt. Fagin's Gang in Oliver Twist had their Den in this area too. Surely Dickens popped in for a pint?

The current building is a mix of different centuries, with lots of nooks, crannies, and wooden booths. When open, its possible to go down into the cellars. Many notable figures throughout history have supped Ale here, or warmed their bones next to the curious triangular stove that stands in the middle of the main room. Fingers crossed we can get one of the cosy wooden booths and enjoy talking about our favourite pubs, and indeed drinks of the day.