What are the oldest pubs in London?
Date post added: 22nd December 2025
London does many things brilliantly — like theatre, history and rain — but few traditions are as beloved and enduring as the humble pub. London boasts incredible centuries-old watering holes where the floors creak, the ceilings lean and the stories are taller than the pints. These pubs go way beyond mere places to drink. They’re living history, stubborn survivors of plagues, fires, blitz and eager developers with dazzlingly shiny shoes.
London’s oldest pubs have roots stretching back to before the Great Fire of London in 1666. Some cling to medieval foundations. They reflect London’s history and shifting society. Join us on a historic pub crawl to find London’s oldest coaching inns, taverns and pubs. Grab a pint and a stool beside the roaring fire to hear scintillating stories and a smattering of tall tales.
12 of London’s oldest pubs
Move over neon-lit bars in Soho and swanky modern pubs with interactive experiences. Sterile Central London venues are a tad too soulless for us. We’re all about historic pubs that serve a cold pint in a traditional setting.
The George Inn, Southwark
We’re starting strong with this outstanding 17th century venue on Borough High Street. The George is Grade I listed and London’s last galleried coaching inn. It has a cobbled courtyard, wonky walls and it oozes charm.
Dating back to 1583 (the existing building from 1676), it boasts Charles Dickens and a certain William Shakespeare as former regulars. Not far from the famous food market, The George is a must-visit once you’ve jostled with the visitors to Borough High St.
The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead
Dating back to 1585, this slightly rickety old building is the stuff of legends. It’s set on the edge of beautiful Hampstead Heath and it’s a great place in which to warm up by a roaring fire after a long walk around Hampstead.
The 16th century pub is another one frequented by Charles Dickens. It’s said that John Keats wrote Ode to a Nightingale in this glorious pub garden. And the infamous highwayman, Dick Turpin, is believed to have been a regular at The Spaniard. All that standing and delivering must have been thirsty work.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
The original 16th century building (1538) was a victim of The Great Fire of London. The current building rose from the ashes in 1667.
Like Dr Who’s tardis, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is bigger on the inside than it appears from outside. It’s a veritable maze of dark nooks and crannies to explore. Look out for one of its famous 19th century potty-mouthed residents behind the bar on the ground floor – Polly, the stuffed grey parrot.
The Old Bell Tavern, Fleet St
Another Fleet Street boozer, The Old Bell Tavern also ranks among London’s oldest pubs. It’s been licensed as a tavern for over 300 years. Whilst St Paul’s Cathedral gets all the glory for being Sir Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece, The Old Bell Tavern comes a close second. Make sure to give the stone floors and stained glass windows due recognition.
The Mayflower, Rotherhithe
A London Walks’ favourite, this historic pub on Rotherhithe Street is set right beside the Thames and is said to be the oldest pub on the river. It’s been there since 1520 and it’s a cracker of a pub.
Back in 1620, The Mayflower ship set sail from the back of the pub and sailed across the Atlantic to the New World. On board were a group of religious types who became known as The Pilgrim Fathers. They founded the USA.
We visit here on our Ahoy! The Mayflower walk around Rotherhithe.
The Flask, Highgate
We love nothing more than a long walk that ends in a traditional London pub. With its location on the edge of Hampstead Heath and Highgate, The Flask is an ideal stop-off when you’ve really earned your pint after a walk.
The stable-block at The Flask dates to circa 1663, making the pub one of the older continuously operating inns in London. Its name comes from the flasks used to carry water from nearby springs around Highgate and Hampstead. Yes, these north London hotspots were veritable spa towns! Look out for the legendary ghosts of a man dressed as a 17th-century cavalier and a Spanish barmaid from the 1800s.
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
This waterside pub at 57 Wapping Wall dates back to 1520 and claims to be the oldest pub by the river. It may have to arm wrestle The Mayflower for that title.
In the 16th century, it was known as The Devil’s Tavern and was home to smugglers, thieves, drunkards and all sorts of unsavoury types. It’s another London pub that boasts Charles Dickens as a punter, as well as the diarist Samuel Pepys.
It still has its original flagstone floor and nautical paraphernalia like masts and ropes. Look up at the balcony and you’ll find a centuries-old noose hanging there.
The Grapes, Limehouse
This East End stalwart has ducked and dived and evaded demolition since 1583. The current pub was built in the 1720s, and narrowly missed being bombed in The Blitz. If the walls on this historic pub could talk, you’d be mesmerised by the local folklore and maritime tales.
Back in the 18th century, the Limehouse pub served the dockworkers and sailors in the local shipping industry. But it’s also been favoured by literary types including Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde and (you guessed it) Charles Dickens. In 2011, actor Ian McKellen took on co-ownership and you can find him there on occasion.
The Hoop and Grapes, Aldgate
This City of London pub was one of the only timber-framed buildings that actually survived The Great Fire of London. It’s said that the flames just missed it, getting as close as 50 yards away. It was originally named the Hop and Grapes as it sold beer and wine.
This characterful, traditional old pub is on the tilt and has a wonderfully wonky entrance. That just adds to its charm.
The Seven Stars, Holborn
Holborn has some cracking old pubs. The Seven Stars, opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, is frequented by legal types, unsurprisingly. Even the pub cat wears a judge’s white lace collar piece.
This Grade II listed building has an interesting history harking back to 1602. Pull up a stool by the bar and you’re likely to hear some fascinating stories from its punters and landlord alike.
Ye Olde Mitre, Hatton Garden
Ye Olde Mitre is a hidden gem of a pub, tucked away on Ely Court near Hatton Garden. The current building dates from 1773 when nearby Ely Place was created.
The original pub was built for the servants of the Bishop of Ely who had a palace on this site until 1772. Ye Olde Mitre is famous for having a cherry tree which is now integral to the front bar. Queen Elizabeth once danced around it with Sir Christopher Hatton (he of Hatton Garden fame).
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
The oldest pub in Covent Garden, The Lamb and Flag is a great place to escape the busy streets surrounding it.
Back in the 19th century, it was the place to watch bare-knuckle boxing matches. That’s why it became known as The Bucket of Blood. Charles Dickens (yes, him again) is said to have been beaten up here too.
What is the oldest pub or inn in England?
“The George Inn 1″ by Ewan Munro is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
This is a somewhat contentious issue. Many claim to be the oldest pub in England, but none of the claims can be totally verified. Patchy records, rebuilding, re-licensing and name changes over centuries make it hard to be sure.
But the George Inn in Norton St Philip near Bath stands out as the strongest candidate for the oldest surviving purpose-built inn in England. The 14th-century Grade I-listed Tudor inn and pub combines medieval architecture with modern hospitality.
As for London’s oldest pub, there are many that vie for that title. Ye Olde Mitre and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese are frontrunners for the record. Whilst The Guinea in Mayfair was established in 1423, the current building is a relative newcomer in 1720. Some other sites date back to Medieval times, but the pub building itself is much younger.
Join our London pub crawl
Our pub walks are like London walks but with added pub. We go with the flow every Friday evening with an Along the Thames pub walk. And we reveal hidden gems in our London Town Pub Walk on a Wednesday evening.
Come and join us!
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.