Treat yourself with a splendid combination of beer and history. This fantastictour takes you to some of the oldest and most famous pubs in London. Meet your knowledgeable guide at the foot of the steps of the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, before a short walk to our first stop ‘The Centre Page’ with its long and distinguished past as one of the oldest surviving alehouses of London. The Centre Page, has gone by the names of ‘The Horn Tavern’, ‘The Horn Coffee House’ and ‘The Bugell’ and has famously been referenced in the diary of Samuel Pepys in 1663, and in Charles Dickens’ literary classic ‘The Pickwick Papers’. It was said that Guy Fawkes also frequented the pub, conducting a meeting within its cellar walls!
Crossing The Millennium Bridge to London’s famous Bankside – relish the stunning views of the city as you cross the river – before stopping to view The Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. We’ll visit nearby The Anchor Bankside, situated on the banks of The Thames. It is supposed that Shakespeare himself enjoyed a pint of ale or two within the walls of The Anchor which sits so closely to the original Globe Theatre site. Throughout history, The Anchor has been used as a tavern, a brewery, and a ship ’s chandlers and has played host to a wealth of other notable patrons, including Dr. Samuel Johnson, another of England’s best-known literary figures.
The pub contains a room dedicated to the ‘Clink’ prison, which can be found nearby in the aptly named Clink Street on our way to our next stop, The Old Thameside Inn. On the short walk along the river, you will see The Clink prison, owned by the Bishop of Winchester, and built for the detention of religious non-conformists - it was the first prison in which women were regularly confined. You will also see all that remains of the Palace of Winchester, which was one of the largest and most important buildings in medieval London.
The Old Thameside Inn is a traditional pub of unique character. History oozes from the great beams and ancient brickwork of the Old Thameside Inn, once an old spice warehouse. Here you’ll enjoy three samples of Britain’s finest beer whilst hearing about the brewing process. Guests can take in wonderful river views of the city as they sit in awe of a life-size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship – The Golden Hind – the pub’s famous neighbour! Your tour ends here so you can take your time and enjoy you’re the wide selection of ales at your own pace or great quality *pub food, which are served, as they should be, with a generous measure of famous British hospitality. On your way back to ‘London Bridge’ - the closest rail/underground station - you can enjoy views of Gothic Southwark Cathedral as well as the wide ranging stalls of Borough Market.