London’s historic hostelries – the best boozers
£120 plus drinks 3hrs
London pub culture is the best. I know, I know, I’m biased. But our historic boozers are the home of history and bonhomie.
Choose the busy West End with its combination of gorgeously glamorous ‘gin palaces’ or olde worlde timber-beamed pubs. Where did the jet-set and the famous actors ‘refresh’ themselves between scenes? Who ran the clubs and how did they get away with all the scandal?
Or go gritty and check out ‘sailor town’ Wapping with its atmospheric cobbled streets and history of pirates, pressgangs and smugglers. Here the alleyways and warehouses pay testament to the nautical history of our little island – good and bad. Where were people hanged? Why was everyone engaged in the ‘free trade’ and dodging the duty? Clue: some countries had entire revolutions because of tax
NB these tours are available most times but bear in mind how thirsty London gets on a Fri and Sat so be prepared to stand in the West End on those nights.