Which is London's Oldest Pub?

The Romans were the very first to introduce pubs known as the Tabernaes 2000 years ago, but when the Romans left, the Tabernaes did too. It was not until 700AD that Alehouses reopened and were most popular among the poorer. In the 1200s Alehouses grew in popularity and were commonly used for travellers as a place to drink and stay.

In the 1550s Alehouses became popular with the affluent classes because wine was by then commonly sold and was the main drink of the wealthy. The first coffee houses were opened in 1652, but they didn't pose a threat to the ever-growing popularity of the Alehouses. By 1660, alehouses were so incredibly popular that most people lived within walking distance of a pub.

Unfortunately, that time didn't last long, as England was hit by two disasters that would change the landscape of London forever. The Great Plague, known as the Black Death, occurred in 1664, killing about 25% of the population of London and wreaking havoc throughout England and the rest of Europe. Later, the Great Fire of London destroyed most of the city in 1666. Most buildings at the time were wooden, and the fire destroyed an estimated 80% of all timber-based buildings. The result of these two tragedies meant a massive reduction of Alehouses.

But instead of feeling sorry for themselves, Londoners saw the positives in these disasters, and what followed was a massive resurgence of concrete-based construction, and within a decade London had rebuilt most of the destroyed buildings.

Around 1830, beer was considered medicinal and not harmful to health, especially since alcohol was healthier than water at that time. That, combined with the fact that these establishments were far cleaner than most peoples' homes, meant Ale Houses growing incredibly popular and the only place to drink and have a good time.

An increased anti-social behaviour resulted in the government to introduce Pub licensing laws to restrict opening and closing times. However, the prosperity during the Industrial Revolution meant Pubs continued to grow in popularity, and by 1870 there was one Pub for every 116 people.

With so many Pubs open, they needed to find new ways to differentiate from the competition. By offering the most trendy decor, amazingly stunning window panels and new, modern furniture, they achieved this.

This golden age did not last as many pubs were destroyed by the two World Wars, and depression set in limiting people abilities to visit a pub. Popularity diminished, and Pubs fell dramatically.

This situation has continued to this day, with pubs also facing stiff competition from fast food restaurants, cafés and various forms of nightlife including clubs, cinemas, bars and theatres. There are now 4,000 pubs in London. Although Pub's popularity has declined, they are still an essential part of London life.

But now, the question is:

Which is London's oldest Pub?

You could spend an exciting day running around London to answer this question by visiting every claimant, but by the end, you'd probably be so drunk to not even be able to remember your name, let alone your mission.

Here are some you can choose from.

The Guinea, Mayfair.

Although the building itself only dates back to 1720, there has been an inn standing on this site since 1423. That's why "The Guinea" has a place on this list. In recent times, it's become renowned for the steaks served at The Guinea Grill.

30 Bruton Pl, Mayfair, by Green Park station, W1J 6NL

The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead.

Drink there, and you'll be following in the footsteps of literary intellectuals such as Keats, Byron, and Dickens. It also gained notoriety as the supposed birthplace and preferred haunt of highwayman Dick Turpin. They have on rotation a selection of fine craft beers throughout the year.

Spaniards Rd, Hampstead, by Golders Green station, NW3 7JJ

Hoop & Grapes, Aldgate.

Not to be confused with a slightly younger pub of the same name in Farringdon, this is one of the few wooden buildings to survive the great fire of 1666. According to reports, the flames stopped just fifty meters from the door, which we believe was a little divine intervention. Here's hoping your pint is heavenly!

47 Aldgate High St, by Aldgate East station, EC3N 1AL

Lamb & Flag, Covent Garden.

As one of the smaller places on this list, Lamb & Flag can claim one of the bloodier stories. The poet John Dryden was almost murdered here (albeit a hundred years before it was built in 1772), and in the 19th century regular fights in the alley were given an alternative name: "The Bucket of Blood." Mercifully, things have calmed down since then.

33 Rose St, by Leicester Square station, WC2E 9EB

Cittie of Yorke, Holborn.

The current building is a replica from 1920, but a pub has been around for almost six hundred years, so it's still one of the oldest pubs in London. The Samuel Smith Brewery owns and operates this restaurant, so you don't get that much variety here. However, the lower prices make up for this, and the Taddy Pilsner is a crowdpleaser.

22 High Holborn, by Chancery Lane station, WC1V 6BN

The Old Bell, Fleet Street.

No other pub on this list will claim to be as impressive an architect as The Old Bell, built for his staff by Sir Christopher Wren, who rebuilt St Bride's Church after the horrible Great Fire. It's not even the only pub he's alleged to have built, as there's also a place in his portfolio nearby Ye Olde Watling (run by the same chain).

95 Fleet Street, by Blackfriars station, EC4Y 1DH

Ye Olde Mitre, Hatton Garden.

A land issue meant the pub technically belonged to Cambridgeshire until the early 20th century, so the Mitre created an arguable claim to being London's oldest. Still, Elizabeth I was rumoured to have danced around the cherry tree once stood outside.

1 Ely Place, by Chancery Lane station, EC1N 6SJ

The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping.

It has been standing since 1520 and a reminder of its dark past can be seen by the noose and gallows hanging from the balcony.

57 Wapping Wall, by Wapping station, E1W 3SH

The Seven Stars, Aldwych.

How many of London's oldest pubs allow you to get free legal advice? The Seven Stars certainly will; they are 280 years older than the neighbouring Royal Courts of Justice and usually host crowds of lawyers at the end of the day.

53 Carey St, by Chancery Lane station, WC2A 2JB

The George, Borough.

London's last galleried inn, which has stood there in one form or another since 1583, has welcomed many famous faces. Shakespeare was a regular guest, and his plays were performed in the courtyard for years.

77 Borough High St, by London Bridge station, SE1 1NH

The Mayflower, Rotherhithe.

Not surprisingly, this pub takes its name from the legendary ship that moored next door before sailing to the New World. If you can prove a family connection to one of the travellers, why not sign the book of Mayflower Descendants?

117 Rotherhithe St, Rotherhithe, by Rotherhithe station, SE16 4NF

The Grapes, Limehouse.

Dickens makes one more appearance here, as The Grapes is the Pub described in the opening of Our Mutual Friend. It's another inn with a dark history, as unsavoury longshoremen reportedly killed drunk patrons in the river Thames – something the current owner, actor Ian McKellen, liked to gloss over in his history of the place.

76 Narrow Street, Limehouse, by Westferry station, E14 8BP