For Seasoned Explorers of Life
Discover London: Where Hidden Gems Sparkle and Classics Never Go Out of Style
From dazzling West End shows to immersive cabaret nights, from sipping a pint in a historic riverside pub to indulging in bottomless brunches with prosecco—AL's Guide to London covers it all. Whether you're a curious tourist, a local explorer, or a weekend wanderer, discover the best experiences the city has to offer, curated with passion and insight.
Start exploring now and uncover your perfect London adventure!
Affiliate Disclosure
To help fund this site and keep the content free, some of the links on AL’s Guide to London are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences, services, and products I genuinely believe will enhance your time in London. Thanks for your support!
Historical London Pubs
"Raise a Pint to the Past: London's Legendary Pubs"
Step into a world where the walls whisper secrets and the ale flows like history itself. London’s historical pubs aren’t just places to drink—they’re time machines with beer taps. From smoky taverns that hosted Dickens and Darwin to cozy corners where rebels plotted and poets dreamed, these watering holes have seen it all. Whether you're chasing ghost stories, royal scandals, or just a really good pie and pint, London's oldest pubs serve up heritage with a hearty side of hops.
So loosen your cravat (or hoodie), grab a stool, and let’s toast to tales that are older than your nan’s biscuit tin.
The George Inn
"The George Inn: Where Ale Meets Shakespearean Swagger"
Tucked just a tankard’s toss from London Bridge, The George Inn isn’t just a pub—it’s a living chapter of London’s storybook. The last surviving galleried coaching inn in the city, this timber-framed treasure has been serving up pints and plots since the days when horses parked outside and Charles Dickens popped in for a drink (or three).
The Old Bell Tavern
“Where ink once flowed and ale still does—welcome to The Old Bell Tavern, Fleet Street’s timeless toast to London’s literary past. Built by Sir Christopher Wren (yes, that Wren), this historic watering hole has been serving pints and stories since the 17th century. Whether you're chasing headlines or just a good roast, The Old Bell is your front-page destination for charm, chatter, and a cheeky pint.”
The Old Bank of England
"Where pints meet pounds and history pours freely."
Nestled between Fleet Street’s whispers of journalism and justice, The Old Bank of England isn’t just a pub—it’s a vault of Victorian charm. Once home to the actual Bank of England’s law courts branch, this majestic watering hole now trades in golden ales instead of gold bars. With chandeliers grand enough to make royalty blush and ceilings that echo with tales of Sweeney Todd (yes, that one), it’s the only place in London where you can toast to finance, folklore, and frothy beer—all under one opulent roof.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
"Where the beer is strong, the ceilings are low, and the ghosts are probably literary."
Step into Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and you’re not just entering a pub—you’re time-traveling. Rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 (because even history couldn’t resist a pint), this legendary watering hole has hosted everyone from Charles Dickens to Mark Twain. With its labyrinth of dark wood, sawdust floors, and cellars that whisper secrets from centuries past, it’s the kind of place where you order a drink and half expect Shakespeare to pull up a stool beside you.
Ye Olde Mitre
"So tucked away, even Google Maps needs a pint to find it."
Ye Olde Mitre isn’t just a pub—it’s a secret handshake with history. Built in 1546 for the servants of the Bishop of Ely, this charming hideaway is so well concealed down a narrow alley off Hatton Garden, it feels like you’ve unlocked a Tudor cheat code. With crooked beams, cozy nooks, and tales of Queen Elizabeth I dancing around a cherry tree (yes, really), it’s the kind of place where every pint comes with a plot twist.
Sherlock Holmes Pub
"Elementary, my dear drinker."
The Sherlock Holmes Pub isn’t just a place to grab a pint—it’s a full-blown case of Victorian charm, solved with a side of steak and ale pie. Tucked near Trafalgar Square, this quirky gem is part museum, part pub, and all atmosphere. With a recreation of Holmes and Watson’s study upstairs and enough memorabilia to make even Moriarty nostalgic, it’s the only place in London where you can sip a beer while pondering clues, cobwebs, and Conan Doyle.
Old Dr. Butler's Head
Prescriptions No Longer Available—But the Pints Are Still Flowing.
Step into Old Dr Butler’s Head, where the only thing stronger than the ale is the history. Named after a 17th-century physician who prescribed beer as medicine (a man ahead of his time, clearly), this hidden gem in the City of London serves up traditional charm with a twist of eccentricity.
Tucked away down a quiet alley, it’s the kind of place where you half expect to find a powdered wig on your barstool and a Shakespearean sonnet on your coaster. Whether you're here for a hearty pub lunch, a post-work pint, or just to say you’ve drunk in a place named after a doctor who thought beer cured everything—this pub delivers a dose of London character with every sip.
The Dickens Inn
A Toast to Tales, Timber, and Tankards—Welcome to The Dickens Inn.
Nestled in the historic St Katharine Docks, The Dickens Inn is a pub so charming, even Charles himself would’ve raised a glass. With its 18th-century timber-framed façade and flower-draped balconies, it looks like it leapt straight out of a Victorian novel—minus the fog and melodrama.
Inside, you’ll find hearty food, classic ales, and enough character to rival a Dickensian cast list. Whether you're here for a riverside pint, a Sunday roast, or just to say you’ve drunk in a place named after literature’s most famous Londoner, this pub delivers atmosphere by the barrel.
It’s not just a pub—it’s a plot twist in your day.
The Counting House
Where the Only Thing You’ll Be Counting Is How Many Pints You’ve Had.
Welcome to The Counting House, a former bank turned pub where the only thing more impressive than the architecture is the beer selection. With its grand domed ceiling, marble pillars, and chandeliers that whisper “old money,” this City of London gem invites you to drink like a banker—without needing the salary.
Whether you're here for a crisp ale, a classic pie, or just to marvel at the fact that you’re sipping a pint in what used to be a vault, The Counting House delivers a rich experience in every sense. It’s history, hospitality, and hops—all under one opulent roof.
Just don’t try to withdraw anything from behind the bar. They only deal in liquid assets.
Affiliate Disclosure
To help fund this site and keep the content free, some of the links on AL’s Guide to London are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences, services, and products I genuinely believe will enhance your time in London. Thanks for your support!