The London pubs of Westminster Walking Tour - Wednesday 20 November 2024 6.30pm
Regular price £19.50Join Open City for a walking tour exploring the fascinating architectural and social history of some of London's most iconic public houses in Westminster
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.
Don't forget you can also get a hold of our Public House and Pocket London bundle as well as our Pocket London walking tour to Westminster in the Open City shop.
Meet: Outside The Clermont London, Charing Cross Strand WC2N 5HX
End: at The Cross Keys, 31 Endell Street WC2H 9EB
Duration: 2 hrs approx
Tickets are non-refundable and tours go ahead rain or shine.
* Please check for any planned transport engineering works, planned strike action or large scale events that may affect your journey before making your ticket purchase *
If you find you can no longer make the tour for any reason we are unable to transfer you to another date, but please feel free to pass your booked place onto a friend to go and enjoy the tour in your place.
In the event your tour date is cancelled you will be issued with a credit note (with no expiry date) that you can use to
- book onto a rescheduled date
- book onto any other tour from our programme
or you can request a refund.
All ticket purchases are in support of the work of our organisation including our pioneering education programmes. We really appreciate your support!
Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
Please select solidarity pricing to help Open City offer concessionary tickets rate.
Please get in touch at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
If you find you can no longer make the tour for Covid or any reason we are unable to transfer you to another date, but please feel free to pass your booked place onto a friend to go in your place.
In the event your tour date is cancelled due to Covid or any other reason you will be provided with the opportunity to book onto a rescheduled date, book onto another tour, provided with a credit note (with no expiry date) or you can request a refund.
All ticket purchases are in support of the work of our organisation including our pioneering education programmes. We really appreciate your support!
Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
