Favorite Free House in Central London
#1
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
Favorite Free House in Central London
Specifically looking within walking distance of Bloomsbury.
Long ago when I lived in London ('84 - '89) I would regularly go to The Sun on Lamb's Conduit St. near the Sick Kids Hospital (This is how we called the Gt. Ormond St. hospital, please forgive the out of date lingo). Pints of Owd Roger, Old Thumper, and so many others on a rotating basis. It is now The Perseverance and although I expect some changes I will visit next month but need a couple other options. Time was you could just go grab a pint of Dogbolter at a Firkin pub if you were surrounded by tied pubs, but that is no longer an option.
Starting at the National Portrait Gallery mid-afternoon and headed in the general direction of Bloomsbury. Thinking maybe a stop at The Lyric or The Coach & Horses, but am falling short on ideas. What says the hive mind?
Long ago when I lived in London ('84 - '89) I would regularly go to The Sun on Lamb's Conduit St. near the Sick Kids Hospital (This is how we called the Gt. Ormond St. hospital, please forgive the out of date lingo). Pints of Owd Roger, Old Thumper, and so many others on a rotating basis. It is now The Perseverance and although I expect some changes I will visit next month but need a couple other options. Time was you could just go grab a pint of Dogbolter at a Firkin pub if you were surrounded by tied pubs, but that is no longer an option.
Starting at the National Portrait Gallery mid-afternoon and headed in the general direction of Bloomsbury. Thinking maybe a stop at The Lyric or The Coach & Horses, but am falling short on ideas. What says the hive mind?
#2
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,479
Have you tried downloading CAMRA's Good Beer Guide app? If you put a postcode in the search the free version will give you a reasonable number in the area. There's a separate search for "all pubs" and "GBG pubs".
There's a paid option (distinct from any subscription to the print version) which gives more pubs and more details of each one, but you don't really need it.
There's a paid option (distinct from any subscription to the print version) which gives more pubs and more details of each one, but you don't really need it.
#4
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
Checked both GBG and Untappd. The GBG has only a very places listed, and Untappd had nearly nothing. I guess what i am looking for is more first hand recommendations please...
#5
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LGW
Posts: 547
If you're looking for pubs with nice interiors, there are many in the Farringdon/Fleet Street/Holborn area, which isn't far from Bloomsbury.
CAMRA's whatpub.com website lists all pubs.
I've discovered that just because the pub is independent, it doesn't mean they stock interesting beer. Often it's just from the big brewers.
If you are after beers you have not tried before, you might do better trying a Wetherspoon pub. There are a few in that area.
You can even check on their app to see what they have on offer at the time.
Here are some nice ones which I recall:
Crown & Sugar Loaf, EC4Y 8DT
Cittie of York, WC1V 6BN
Last Judgment, WC2A 1DT
Lamb, WC1N 1EA
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, EC4A 2BP
Blackfriar, EC4V 4EG
Fox & Anchor, EC1M 6AA
Ye Olde Mitre, EC1N 6SJ
Hope that helps.
CAMRA's whatpub.com website lists all pubs.
I've discovered that just because the pub is independent, it doesn't mean they stock interesting beer. Often it's just from the big brewers.
If you are after beers you have not tried before, you might do better trying a Wetherspoon pub. There are a few in that area.
You can even check on their app to see what they have on offer at the time.
Here are some nice ones which I recall:
Crown & Sugar Loaf, EC4Y 8DT
Cittie of York, WC1V 6BN
Last Judgment, WC2A 1DT
Lamb, WC1N 1EA
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, EC4A 2BP
Blackfriar, EC4V 4EG
Fox & Anchor, EC1M 6AA
Ye Olde Mitre, EC1N 6SJ
Hope that helps.
Last edited by KT550; Mar 26, 2024 at 12:15 pm
#6
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
If you're looking for pubs with nice interiors, there are many in the Farringdon/Fleet Street/Holborn area, which isn't far from Bloomsbury.
CAMRA's whatpub.com website lists all pubs.
I've discovered that just because the pub is independent, it doesn' mean they stock interesting beer. Often it's just from the big brewers.
If you are after beers you have not tried before, you might do better trying a Wetherspoon pub. There are a few in that area.
You can even check on their app to see what they have on offer at the time.
Here are some nice ones which I recall:
Crown & Sugar Loaf, EC4Y 8DT
Cittie of York, WC1V 6BN
Last Judgment, WC2A 1DT
Lamb, WC1N 1EA
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, EC4A 2BP
Blackfriar, EC4V 4EG
Fox & Anchor, EC1M 6AA
Ye Olde Mitre, EC1N 6SJ
Hope that helps.
CAMRA's whatpub.com website lists all pubs.
I've discovered that just because the pub is independent, it doesn' mean they stock interesting beer. Often it's just from the big brewers.
If you are after beers you have not tried before, you might do better trying a Wetherspoon pub. There are a few in that area.
You can even check on their app to see what they have on offer at the time.
Here are some nice ones which I recall:
Crown & Sugar Loaf, EC4Y 8DT
Cittie of York, WC1V 6BN
Last Judgment, WC2A 1DT
Lamb, WC1N 1EA
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, EC4A 2BP
Blackfriar, EC4V 4EG
Fox & Anchor, EC1M 6AA
Ye Olde Mitre, EC1N 6SJ
Hope that helps.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Isle of Man
Programs: IHG Platinum Elite, BA Pleb
Posts: 347
I'd always recommend the Betsey Trotwood on Farringdon Road, just down from Exmouth Market. There are quite a few interesting pubs around Clerkenwell.
I've also heard good things about the Holy Tavern (nee Jerusalem Tavern) on Britton St, but haven't been in to verify.
I've also heard good things about the Holy Tavern (nee Jerusalem Tavern) on Britton St, but haven't been in to verify.
Last edited by Arctic Troll; Mar 26, 2024 at 7:24 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LGW
Posts: 547
It's a re-creation of an 18th century pub. Wooden benches and long tables etc., along with minimal lighting. Will be busy.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Isle of Man
Programs: IHG Platinum Elite, BA Pleb
Posts: 347
#10
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
I'd always recommend the Betsey Trotwood on Farringdon Road, just down from Exmouth Market. There are quite a few interesting pubs around Clerkenwell.
I've also heard good things about the Holy Tavern (nee Jerusalem Tavern) on Britton St, but haven't been in to verify.
I've also heard good things about the Holy Tavern (nee Jerusalem Tavern) on Britton St, but haven't been in to verify.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Programs: Hilton Gold, Priority Club Blue, SPG Gold, Sofitel Gold, FB Ivory, BA Blue
Posts: 8,479
I'm not sure if it counts as Central London, but The Harp in Covent Garden is a favourite of mine. I would also concur with Ye Olde Mitre and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese recommended up-thread.
#12
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,235
I've not been since pre-Covid, but I spent many hours in the Harp drinking a fine variety of ales (and eating sausages!). Firmly seconded. [and unquestionably central London, being only a two minute very fast walk from Charing Cross, but possibly not that convenient for Bloomsbury]
#13
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
Great choices, every one! That part of WC2 is definitely Central London. (actually even the stuff along the river counts I guess). I am a long time fan of the Fuller's version of Winter Warmer and this was a go to down in the Garden a few decades back. Samuel Smith's is a long time favorite also. I will go to all three of these in coming trips but am trying to discover the state of free houses this trip.
#15
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,479
Great choices, every one! That part of WC2 is definitely Central London. (actually even the stuff along the river counts I guess). I am a long time fan of the Fuller's version of Winter Warmer and this was a go to down in the Garden a few decades back. Samuel Smith's is a long time favorite also. I will go to all three of these in coming trips but am trying to discover the state of free houses this trip.
They're very different interiors, but both quite beautiful. The Cittie of Yorke is on CAMRA's list of valuable pub interiors, and the Princess Louise (a former Victorian Gin Palace) has plenty of wooden screens, marble, mosaics and a fabulous bar design.