Inspired by Open City's book Public House: A Cultural and Social History of the London Pub, , and off the back of his highly popular Open City’s City of London pub tour, public historian and tour guide Sheldon K Goodman explores historic and contemporary public houses in the heart of Westminster –London’s politics, power and entertainment district.
Westminster’s pubs are woven into the fabric of the area: an eclectic range of bolt-holes and genteel, refined establishments to see and be seen drinking in. The story of London’s more than 3,500 pubs tells the story of the city itself, yet the ongoing threat to landlords and their livelihoods is bringing these bastions of leisure and good beer under increasing threat.
In the shadow of world-class theatres, railway stations, markets and hotels – the Westminster pub walking tours will showcase beautiful heritage hostelries compared to modern equivalents aimed at the tourist and the commuter, as well as the social histories that happened within them.
Highlights will include the Ship and Shovell, a Victorian pub that is split in two; the lavish Lord Salisbury and its magnificent saloon bar; The Harp, a beer-lovers favourite; The Coal Hole, once home to a song-and-supper club and favoured watering hole of the late actor Richard Harris; and the Nell Gwynne, a backstreet treat named after Charles II’s favourite mistress.
Providing a fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city, this tour will explore the architecture and history of the London pub, their influence and cultural importance, as well as providing a chance to explore the surrounding streets and go inside the pubs themselves.
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