Drinking den of media barons and wordsmiths throughout the centuries and right next to the famous wedding cake church! The Old Bell is a London pub that has pretty much seen it all and has been licensed as a tavern for more than three centuries. A lot of beers and ales and a lot of drinkers have passed through its doors during this time but the Old Bell has still managed to keep its unique character, despite the changing face of the modern city all around it.
The Old Bell was built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1670. Wren is one of the most highly acclaimed architects in British history, responsible for the design of iconic buildings, such as the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, the south front of Hampton Court Palace, the Monument, the Wren Library at Cambridge University and the Royal Observatory. He built the Old Bell in order to house the masons who were working on nearby St Bride’s Church for him. The church had been destroyed during the Great Fire. St Bride’s spire is thought to have been the inspiration for the traditional tiered wedding cake.
In fact, the history of The Old Bell as a drinking establishment goes back even further and the pub was previously known as Twelve Bells, the Golden Ball or Bell. In 1500, when it was called The Sun, Wynkyn de Worde, former assistant to England’s first printer William Caxton, constructed a printing press in the pub and books were printed there. This area has had a long association with printing and The Old Bell has played a key role in it. More recently, it has hosted lunches and drinking sessions for many of the journalists and media barons who worked in the area during the 1970s and 1980s when most of the UK daily newspapers were printed in the area.
Today, the pub very much retains is quiet, traditional character, although it can get quite lively during lunchtime and after work happy hours thanks to all the offices nearby. Coloured, leaded glass windows, a well worn wooden floor and distinctive London pub signage give The Old Bell a real sense of character and many original features have been maintained. The pub serves a range of real ales and traditional pub food. Once you’ve finished your drinks then take a stroll out of the back door and into St. Brides Church courtyard for a moment of peace in this bustling city.
95 Fleet St
London
EC4Y 1DH
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 11:00 - 23:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 20:00
Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00
Food? Yes
Tube: Temple or St Paul’s
The Old Bell was built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1670. Wren is one of the most highly acclaimed architects in British history, responsible for the design of iconic buildings, such as the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, the south front of Hampton Court Palace, the Monument, the Wren Library at Cambridge University and the Royal Observatory. He built the Old Bell in order to house the masons who were working on nearby St Bride’s Church for him. The church had been destroyed during the Great Fire. St Bride’s spire is thought to have been the inspiration for the traditional tiered wedding cake.
In fact, the history of The Old Bell as a drinking establishment goes back even further and the pub was previously known as Twelve Bells, the Golden Ball or Bell. In 1500, when it was called The Sun, Wynkyn de Worde, former assistant to England’s first printer William Caxton, constructed a printing press in the pub and books were printed there. This area has had a long association with printing and The Old Bell has played a key role in it. More recently, it has hosted lunches and drinking sessions for many of the journalists and media barons who worked in the area during the 1970s and 1980s when most of the UK daily newspapers were printed in the area.
Today, the pub very much retains is quiet, traditional character, although it can get quite lively during lunchtime and after work happy hours thanks to all the offices nearby. Coloured, leaded glass windows, a well worn wooden floor and distinctive London pub signage give The Old Bell a real sense of character and many original features have been maintained. The pub serves a range of real ales and traditional pub food. Once you’ve finished your drinks then take a stroll out of the back door and into St. Brides Church courtyard for a moment of peace in this bustling city.
95 Fleet St
London
EC4Y 1DH
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 11:00 - 23:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 20:00
Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00
Food? Yes
Tube: Temple or St Paul’s
