Historic London Pubcast

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We’re heading back south of the river to Nunhead and Peckham Rye for a historic London pub crawl laced with legends, laughs, and last-minute saves at a lineup of historic London pubs. How’s that for a London history podcast!

We kick off at The Ivy House, once home to Victorian cricket legend W.G. Grace, punk icon Ian Dury, and a nude ballet that was… technically accurate. When greedy developers came calling, the locals pulled off a pub-saving plot twist worthy of Hollywood. Meet London’s first community-owned pub!

The...

Duration: 00:39:48

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Third Time’s a Charm at Soho’s Pubs! On today’s historic London pub walk, we:

Hear the tale of Mozart’s Brewer Street concert, where the child prodigy played to a half-empty room.Discover how Marx and Engels drafted the Communist Manifesto at the iconic Red Lion pub.Explore Soho ghost stories, including sightings of Oscar Wilde at The Leicester Arms.

From the wild world of Victorian rat baiting and Jack Black the rat catcher, to postwar jazz clubs that changed the beat of Britain, this episode blends Soho history...

Duration: 00:36:09

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In this punchy finale to our Mayfair trilogy, Eric focuses on five historic watering holes just west of Regent Street. From The Clarence where Chopin may have raised a glass, to The Goat Tavern, once a hub for naval officers and site of a meeting that led to grisly true crime, this episode is sure to shock is for those into Victorian architecture, true crime, or just love a little drama with your pint, the eastern edge of London’s poshest postcode is sure to please. 

Join host and London Travel Gui...

Duration: 00:43:06

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In Part 2 of our Mayfair pub visit, enjoy this London pub tour along the scandal-soaked streets of Shepherd Market London, a hidden gem, and one of London’s best hidden attractions, tucked away in the heart of Mayfair. 

Known for its mix of elegance and edge, this corner of the West End has long been home to some of the most famous London pubs—and the juiciest stories behind them. Host Eric Blair leads our lively London walking tour through five iconi...

Duration: 00:38:21

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Exploring Mayfair, one of London’s most prestigious districts, as seen through legendary Mayfair pubs, Part 1 of a three-part series. Yes, that Mayfair - the poshest patch on the Monopoly board. 

Host and London Travel Guide Eric Blair takes you on a unique London pub crawl through some of the city's most iconic watering holes — from the celebrity-soaked Guinea Grill (yes, Sinatra drank here) to the absurdly narrow Coach and Horses, where Brigitte Bardot once leaned glamorously against the bar.

We...

Duration: 00:38:17

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Step into ritzy Marylebone’s colorful pub scene for a historic London pub crawl like no other! 

On this episode of The Historic London Pubcast, we uncover wild tales behind Marylebone’s historic London pubs, and a side of Marylebone history thrown in for good measure. 

On our London pub tour, we go from The Barley Mow Marylebone and The Golden Eagle to The Devonshire Arms and the Victoria and Albert Marylebone Station pub. Quite the lineup of historic London pubs. 

Did you hear about the Baker Street...

Duration: 00:34:22

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Stroll through Maida Vale’s historic pubs. From the grand Edwardian staircase and beauty of The Warrington Hotel to the Victorian elegance, and secret snob screens of The Prince Alfred pub, to the canal-side charm of The Warwick Castle pub. 

A blend of marvelous pub architecture, the best Victorian pubs in London, literary connections, and a dash of celebrity intrigue. Along the way, we’ll spot blue plaques, hidden histories, and even a brush with The Beatles Abbey Road’s crossing. 

Discover hidden London gems such as Alan Turing’s birthpla...

Duration: 00:24:53

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Part 2 of our London pub tour of Fleet Street pubs with tales from The Devereux Pub, The George on the Strand, and the legendary Grecian Coffeehouse London.

Discover the rise and fall of Robert Devereux, once Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite, whose story ends in rebellion and execution. Then we head to the haunts of scholars and scammers—from duels at The Grecian Coffee House, to a London conman with a flair for fake clergy. Even a ghost in a haunted London pub basement.

Then it’s a pint at Tem...

Duration: 00:26:53

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Dominican friars, Henry VIII’s messy divorce drama, the birthplace of London’s printing press, and a Cold War secret nearly spilled. We’re on Fleet Street for the first in a two-part series of a lively, fact-packed London pub walk exploring Fleet Street pubs. Host and London travel guide, Eric Blair dives into London pub history with stories pulled straight from Fleet Street’s printing press. 

First up, we visit The Black Friar pub London — an Art Nouveau London pub built on the site of a Dominican friary, where Henry VIII’s divo...

Duration: 00:36:09

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From Karl Marx’s drunken adventures to a haunted pub theater and a corpse-snatching room known as The Autopsy Room, this episode is full of strange histories, legendary characters, and classic London pub charm. You’ll laugh, wince, and maybe even check over your shoulder as we dig into Highgate’s boozy past.

On this episode of The Historic London Pubcast, we leave Hampstead behind and dive headfirst into Highgate’s historic past.

We kick things off with a stroll past Highgate Cemetery, tipping our hats to residents like George E...

Duration: 00:32:39

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Walk with us back in time on this unforgettable Hampstead pub crawl as The Historic London Pubcast uncovers the rich tapestry of London pub history in one of the city's most atmospheric neighborhoods. Host Eric Blair leads you through a captivating London pub walking tour, starting with The Flask Hampstead, a former mineral water emporium turned beloved local, and now one of the most famous London pubs with ties to literary legends and tipsy tales.

As the journey continues, we climb to The Hollybush pub, where British pub culture meets Roman...

Duration: 00:31:11

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We return to the leafy streets of Hampstead for another round of pints, poetry, and pub lore. We’re back across the Heath in another suggestion for the ultimate London pub crawl. We follow the poetic footsteps of John Keats and his Hampstead haunts, sample George Orwell’s pub life and literary inspirations, and taste the charm and eccentricities of The Freemasons Arms—home to London’s last skittles alley. 

We’ll also explore the legendary Spaniards Inn, complete with dueling Spaniards, Dick Turpin highwayman legends, a heroic landlord who saved Kenwood Hou...

Duration: 00:26:53

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Uncover a 400-year-old survivor of the Great Fire, an Olde White Horse popular with judges, lawyers, and clerks, the George IV at LSE, and The Old Bank of England - a former bank vault now serving pints and pies in exchange for pounds. Cheers! 

Step into the rich world of historic London pubs as we explore Holborn legendary pubs. This isn’t just any London pub crawl podcast — it’s a guided tour through stories, architecture, and characters that have shaped London’s boozy legacy. Found history boring in high school? Well scho...

Duration: 00:24:22

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It is said that the British maintain a stiff upper lip. Stoically facing what life throws their way. Keep calm and carry on and all that. Until, that is, it comes to their historic community pubs. Then developers are likely to see locals cast aside their stiff upper lips, gird their loins for a stiff battle, and fight back.

Save our Pubs! Pubs in Danger! A tough, but uplifting battlefield episode where history clashes with progress as we explore pubs lost, pub preservation, and the role of community pubs as London...

Duration: 00:28:55

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Heading “Down by the River” for a Thames pub crawl to explore four Thames-side pubs with a long history. This episode is a love letter to historic London pubs and London river pubs alike. 

We kick things off with the John Courage Brewery beginnings of The Anchor Tap.  From there, it’s a short stroll through Shad Thames, once the bustling “Larder of London,” now a cinematic backdrop for everything from Bond films to Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Next stop is The Vault 1894, tucked right u...

Duration: 00:21:35

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Back for more Soho pub chaos? You better believe it.  

In Part 2 of our Soho Pub Crawl, Eric Blair hits four legendary stops on another historic London pub crawl with London pub history stories so wild, you'd swear they were fiction (they're not).  

We start with George Orwell’s absinthe-fueled Animal Farm celebration at The Dog and Duck Soho. Move onto to Cholera in London, chloroform, a master class in epidemiology, and Dr. John Snow’s groundbreaking discovery honored at William Blake’s local - The John Snow Pub.  

Then...

Duration: 00:27:22

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Hold on for a rollicking romp through two of Soho’s most iconic pubs: The Coach and Horses and The French House. Meet Norman Balon, the self-proclaimed rudest landlord in London, who turned insults into an art form. 

Sip alongside Jeffrey Bernard, chaotic writer of the  “Low Life” column whose missed deadlines were so legendary, they inspired a hit play called Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, and who may or may not have accidentally killed a horse racing tipster. Uncover naked pub singalongs, boozy rebellions, and theatrical tributes that made these pubs more tha...

Duration: 00:27:56

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Why are so many pubs called The Red Lion? In this episode of The Historic London Pubcast, we go on a classic London pub crawl through not one, not two, but three iconic Red Lion pubs—each with a rich backstory tied to royals, rebels, and even Charles Dickens himself.

We find political secrets whispered at the Red Lion Westminster, just steps from the Houses of Parliament. 

Then we duck into the Red Lion St James, rumored to be a secret royal rendezvous spot near Buckingham Palace. 

Fina...

Duration: 00:30:19

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Join host Eric Blair as he uncovers the fascinating layers of London pub history tucked within the cobbled heart of London’s Square Mile at the iconic Leadenhall Market. Eric treats us to stories of Roman London, daring geese, and even Hollywood brawls.

We’ll visit three unforgettable historic London pubs:

The Lamb Tavern – a Victorian gem with a cameo in the John Wayne Brannigan pub scene.Old Tom’s Bar – named after a goose who dodged the butcher’s block.The Counting House pub – where banking halls now pour pints under a...

Duration: 00:27:59

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Ahoy there! Welcome aboard A pint-fueled adventure through three of London’s most unusual drinking spots. From The Ship and Shovell - the only pub in London split across two buildings and where we get to know Admiral Shovell, to the candlelit caverns of Gordon’s Wine Bar, and finally out onto the Thames itself aboard The Tattershall Castle. This episode is a true pub crawl with a twist.

Along the way, you’ll hear tales of admirals, pirates, playwrights, and paddle steamers. Whether you’re a London local or just pub-curi...

Duration: 00:24:17

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Two historic London pubs with wildly different tales to tell! 

In this episode, we uncover the royal roots and preserved Victorian charm of The Albert pub Westminster, then take a shadowy turn into the ghost-riddled, spy-adjacent world of The Morpeth Arms pub in Pimlico. 

We kick things off at The Albert, a beautiful pub with wonderfully preserved Victorian architecture complete with ornate glass windows, ties to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, political history, and the famous Division Bell Parliament connection. 

Then we head downriver to The Morpeth Arm...

Duration: 00:29:46

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Join The Historic London Pubcast for a spirited adventure through three legendary London historic pubs on this unforgettable historic London pub crawl! 

In this episode, we explore The Angel Bermondsey, The Ancient Foresters pub, and Turner’s Old Star. Each is steeped in centuries of pub history and filled with colorful characters, from monarchs and mistresses to Samuel Pepys and Judge Jeffreys to nautical legends and ghostly tales.

Whether you're into funny pub stories or true pub stories, this episode serves up plenty. Expect tales of pirate history London, mys...

Duration: 00:27:17

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A Wapping good time is had by all as Eric takes us on a stroll down Wapping’s riverside, uncovering the dark history of two of London’s most famous River Thames pubs — The Prospect of Whitby and The Town of Ramsgate. 

Host Eric Blair guides us through Wapping London history. Where pirates once sipped their final ale before meeting their fate at the Execution Dock London to Captain Kidd’s double hanging, to Judge Jeffreys caught in disguise, these taverns have seen it all. 

Hear chilling tales of Captain Ki...

Duration: 00:30:17

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In this episode of The Historic London Pubcast, we continue our London walking tour of Fitzrovia pubs, uncovering the untold stories behind some of the best pubs in London. Host Eric Blair guides us on a rich and raucous journey through London pub history, where pints were shared by poets, cultists, and the occasional ex-copper-turned-publican.

We begin with The Black Horse Fitzrovia, a pub that has lived many lives before reclaiming its original identity. Then it’s on to The Wheatsheaf, where Aleister Crowly sketched Dylan Thomas’s thoughts and freaked him...

Duration: 00:26:53

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Take a stroll down the storied streets of Fitzrovia in this episode of The Historic London Pubcast, where we duck into one of the most famous London pubs—The Fitzroy Tavern. This iconic spot isn’t just a stop on your Fitzrovia pub crawl; it’s the beating heart of Bohemian London, pulsing with history, and eccentricity.

Host Eric Blair uncovers tales from the tavern where Dylan Thomas penned verses on beer mats, Nina Hamnett reigned as the scandalous Queen of Bohemia, and Augustus John, the artist known as the “prince” of this po...

Duration: 00:22:33

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Today we hit the backstreets and centuries-old cellars of historic Southwark, where London pub history comes alive through a historic London pub tour with tales of coaching inns, infamous prisons, and riverside revelry.

At some of the most iconic Southwark pubs, from the ghost of Henry VIII at The Old King’s Head to the cozy converted cells of The Southwark Tavern, one of the most unusual riverside pubs in London, this journey uncovers the colorful past of South London’s legendary pubs. 

We’ll also visit the ever-vibrant Borough...

Duration: 00:26:26

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In this episode of The Historic London Pubcast, host Eric Blair takes you on a fun and fascinating journey through London pub history, with the wild history of the legendary George Inn Southwark – London’s last surviving galleried coaching inn. 

From medieval roots, Chaucer’s pilgrims, Shakespeare’s neighbors, fiery disasters to Dickens’ bar tab, The George’s story is packed with colorful characters and unforgettable moments. Hear about Princess Margaret’s Sunday roast, and the effects of the Blitz. 

Discover why this Southwark gem is more than just a watering hole—...

Duration: 00:26:26

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Welcome to The Historic London Pubcast! In this episode, host and guide Eric Blair introduces us to the posh streets of Belgravia, London.

Get ready for a wild mix of London pub history, true crime, and a dash of the supernatural. We’re uncovering the ghostly legend of Cedric at The Grenadier pub, diving into the chilling Lord Lucan mystery tied to the Plumbers Arms pub, and finishing with eccentric tales from The Nags Head Belgravia - a pub where your phone better be off and your pint full.

Al...

Duration: 00:24:19

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In this special 10th episode of The Historic London Pubcast, we’re raising a glass to survival as we dive into some of the most explosive (literally) moments in London pub history.

Discover how historic London pubs stood strong—or crumbled—through three epic disasters:

The Great Fire of London (1666) – From Samuel Pepys’ great fire diary to the surviving London pubs, find out which iconic spots made it through the flames.

The London Beer Flood (1814) – A true beer flood disaster that drowned the streets in porter and wiped out pa...

Duration: 00:32:39

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Step into the shadows of London’s historic Thames dockside past. Today, we taking a London walking tour down the Thames Path Walk to uncover one of London's hidden gems — The Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe, London. This is one of the best of London’s historic pubs, and expertly steered by the Black Dog Pub Company. 

To add to this visit, we surely have one of the best of London pub walks, if not London walks, and definitely a Top Ten historic pub crawl favorite. Put this episode on your list of best...

Duration: 00:24:44

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Duck the crime tape, we dare you join us on a London pub walk with a difference. Today’s episode travels deep into London's booziest crime scenes and feature London gangsters at home in their favorite historic London pubs. 

We’ll uncover the chilling secrets behind some of the most famous London pubs—The Blind Beggar Pub, The Magdala Tavern, and The Ten Bells Pub.

Host Eric Blair pulls back the curtain on London pub history with stories soaked in scandal, from the cold-blooded crime of Ruth Ellis, to the vio...

Duration: 00:25:18

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Oh Bloomsbury, What the Dickens! Step into the stylish heart of Bloomsbury London history with this episode of The Historic London Pubcast. We explore two iconic stops on our historic pub crawl—The Lamb on Conduit Street and The Queen’s Larder pub. These historic London pubs are more than just places to grab a pint—they're chapters in the storybook of London pub history.

We’ll raise a glass where Charles Dickens once drank, retrace the poetic footsteps of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, and uncover the royal secrets behind George I...

Duration: 00:25:09

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Slip into the cobbled backstreets of London pub history, and the shadows of Holborn and Clerkenwell with this episode of The Historic London Pubcast. 

We uncover two of the capital’s most iconic—and mischievously hidden pubs. Ye Olde Mitre in Holborn and The Holy Tavern in Clerkenwell (formerly the Jerusalem Tavern).

From secret London pubs and historic London taverns to maypole-dancing monarchs and power-hungry bishops, this episode has it all. 

We start at Ely Place, once the plush pad of the Bishop of Ely, and dive deep i...

Duration: 00:20:01

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Gin-uinely excited to be visiting more great Gin Palaces of London. We see the last 3 on our Top 5 list - The Viaduct Tavern with its cellar prison cells and ghosts, the stunningly beautiful pub - The Princess Louise and eborn marvel that is The Crown and Sugarloaf. Guide, Eric Blair shares tales of famous trials at the Old Bailey, London’s first public drinking fountain, a Cholera cure, Grade II Listed protected urinals, and even a royal scandal or two. It’s history with a twist, and dare I suggest, ice and lemon?

Duration: 00:25:30

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Victorian London after dark. Gaslight flickers. Etched glass gleams. The city’s Gin Palaces weren’t just pubs - they were trinkets of booze and style.

In this episode, Guide, Eric Blair introduces us to the subject of London’s Victorian Gin Palace pubs, exploring two of the flashiest suspects: The Salisbury in Covent Garden and The Argyll Arms on Argyll Street. Expect velvet chairs, scandal in the shadows, and a guest list of poets, actors, and troublemakers.

From etched glass and gaslight chandeliers to scandalous stories of Peter O'Tool...

Duration: 00:22:03

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Today on The Historic London Pubcast, we pop into one of the most infamous historic London pubs - The Star Tavern, Belgravia - a posh boozer with a past more scandalous than a tabloid double spread.

From the Great Train Robbery London plot meetings in the upstairs bar, to the steamy Profumo Affair that rattled Parliament, this episode uncovers how one cozy pub became a vortex of British pub scandals. We’ll meet the dashing but dastardly cat burglar Peter Scott, whose Hollywood victims such as Elizabeth Taylor might’ve unknowingly shar...

Duration: 00:22:39

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London, 1679. A poet insults the King’s mistress, a scandal brews, and fists fly in a shadowy alley. Welcome to The Historic London Pubcast where we dig up fascinating stories from London’s historic pubs. 

In this episode, Host and Guide Eric Blair takes us to The Lamb & Flag on Rose Street, a gem among historic London pubs. Today it’s a cozy pub with wood beams and crackling fires beckoning on foggy London day. Once, however, it was dubbed the “Bucket of Blood” thanks to its upstairs bare-knuckle brawls. This Covent Gard...

Duration: 00:22:48

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Step through the narrow alley off Fleet Street and into another century at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, perhaps the most famous of all Historic London Pubs, and well known among Fleet Street pubs. 

In this debut episode of The Historic London Pubcast, Host and Guide, Eric Blair walks us through London pub history, leading us beneath the low beams and gaslit corners of a London Pub that was rebuilt in 1667 on the site of an older pub destroyed by The Great Fire of London, 1666.

This is not your ordinary L...

Duration: 00:16:32

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Google map with pubs covered in previous episodes pinned, courtesy of Andy Meddick:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/4/edit?mid=12c-WKa3XiT1qTLydK8psZocUR7Y_Wes&usp=sharing

Or TinyURL: https://tinyurl.com/bduca5dv

Website: https://historiclondonpubcast.com

E-mail: hosteric@historiclondonpubcast.com

Duration: 00:01:47