Product Description

London's pubs have been at the heart of the social life of the capital for centuries. In this new guide to more than 200 of the most interesting of London's historic inns and taverns, Donald Stuart uncovers a wealth of detail that makes fascinating reading. Did you know that Karl Marx used to drink at the Museum Tavern in Great Russell Street, and that illegal Catholic masses were held at the Ship Tavern in Gate Street in the 16th century? That George IV once lost money on a cockfight at the Castle in Cowcross Street, the only pub in London to be licensed as a pawnbroker, and that the Great Train Robbery was planned at the Anglesey Arms in Selwood Terrace? These are just some of the stories that are told in these pages, along with tales of hauntings and explanations of the origins of some of the stranger pub names. If you want to choose an atmospheric pub to watch the Boat Race from, or see a small-scale theatrical production at one of London's historic pub theatres, or drink in the same East End pubs as Jack the Ripper or Dick Turpin, then this book can point you in the right direction. It is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in the capital's history, as well as those that simply enjoy a decent pint.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #324819 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

History - with pleasure
Ranked alongside churches, monuments and statues but often unnoticed, taverns, inns and pubs provide a living archive of the social and sometimes business history of any English town or village, and nowhere is this more so than in our capital city. Surviving civil war, plague and pestilence, and more recently Hitler's blitz, they provide fertile ground for research while enjoying a pint or two.

Donald Stuart in his latest book brings to our attention many interesting and often ignored historic watering holes with descriptions of their origin and subsequent history together with what the present-day visitor may experience, all interspersed with informative detail and witty asides. Want to know where many phrases which have entered the language and are still in daily use originated? "One for the road" "On the wagon" "Cheerio". These and many more make this book a treat for Londoners as well as a good guide for thirsty visitors. It is also a good read.

AJR London

Very interesting
This is a very interesting read - more a reference material that you would thumb through rather than gulp dwn in one sitting.

The Author does a good job of bringing the history of the pubs selected to life and turn what most would consider to be just ordinary buildings into a character of their own.

My only disapointments is that some of the reviews are a little placid and I would suggest that some pubs with reviews like this could have been omitted to allow for expansion of other entries - but don't let that distract you from the book in general.