So today I did something I never thought I would do in a million years.
I did a pub crawl.
Now, for most of you that know me, you know I don't drink. Like, at all. So why the hell did I do a pub crawl?! Well, not to sound like a follower, my Fodor's book told me to.
Let's get this straight- it was a HISTORIC pub crawl. Meaning every pub we went to had a lot of history behind it. Also, along the way, we got to see a lot of popular destinations for people visiting London. Did I mention we started out at 10am? And that the route from our flat, to the walk, and back was over SIX miles!? We did it ALL on foot.
Did I also mention that I didn't get any alcohol on the entire crawl? I stuck to water. It doesn't mean the pub crawl is any less legit. I took pictures of every one, and at one I even got fish and chips (my first in London) at The Black Friar (sooo good!), SO THERE!
What amazes me is how big pub culture is over here. People go out on their lunch breaks with friends, throw back a cold one, and then go about their day. Even in the early afternoon, you can see people of all ages (above 18), sitting around with close friends, laughing at each other's jokes and stories and asking the bartender for another round. In the US, if you drink before 5pm, you have a problem. Here, it is a way of life. Because none of the people seem to get the least bit drunk after a pint or two, I am convinced that they have been drinking the stuff since they were wee little babes.
Since I am not including ALL the pictures I took, the attractions I saw on the crawl in order (excluding pubs) were: The Borough Market (basically a farmer's market), Southwark Cathedral, The Clink Prison, Golden Hinde (a boat), Winchester Palace, London Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Old Bailey Criminal Court, Gray's Inn Field (Where "A Comedy of Errors" was first performed), and Charles Dickens' house.
You think that is enough for one day? We also went to eight, yes EIGHT, historical pubs. In the captions of the picture, I will include relevant history. Happy reading!
The George Inn
Mentioned in Dickens's "Little Dorrit", this has been an inn since the 1500's. Notable patrons are Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. We got there 30 minutes before it opened, so we just gazed into the windows.
The pictures above and below this are in Bourough Market. It smelled so good, and all the food was so fresh! And yes, the stall in the picture above sold ostrich meat. And kangaroo burgers. Methinks I will be returning there and trying some! ...When in London!
The Golden Hinde. Apparently this is a very old ship. Whatever. I live near Mystic!
The Anchor
Dates from 1775, and is thought to be the place where the writer Samuel Pepys stood when he observed the Great Fire of London
Ye Olde Watling
The building was originally completed only days before the Great Fire, and was soon destroyed. It has been rebuilt many times, the most recent being in 1947 after WWII. It is named after a Roman road, on which it stands.
St. Paul's Cathedral
This is where Prince Charles married Lady Diana!! I plan to go inside soon
The Black Friar
The first pub we actually went into. Used to be home to a bunch of friars. 'Nuf said.
While eating our lunch, a man in a business suit came in and DOWNED two HUGE beers... look like someone had a rough morning...
The bar of the Black Friar
The interior of the Black Friar. This is what the pub is famous for. Just don't get lost trying to find it like we did.
My first fish and chips in London! Complete with tartar sauce and "mushed peas"... and they were AMAZING!
That's right folks, 10 days in, and still no bad meals.
The Viaduct Tavern
This pub is supposedly haunted- apparently the cells in the basement are from the demolished Newgate Gaol, an old prison
Ye Olde Mitre
Hidden in an alley, making it hard to find. Dating from 1547 and rebuilt in 1772. A stone mitre from the Bishop of Ely's palace gatehouse is built into one of the walls, and there is also the preserved trunk of a cherry tree that Elizabeth I supposedly danced around.
The bar inside the alleyway. Apparently, the "in" thing to do is to drink your beer around the barrels outside. So Matt did as me and Chelsea watched.
Charles Dickens' House
The Lamb
One of Dickens' favorite pubs (it was right near his house), it has most of it's original fittings, including privacy, or "snob", screens.
The Queen's Larder
The last pub we visited. When George III was being treated by his doctor, who lived in the square, his wife, Queen Charlotte, rented the cellar and prepared his meals for him in the 1770s. The interior is decorated with clowns. I don't know why.
After the pub crawl, I went on a little walk to Covent Garden by myself, and did some errands. I fit right in here- I love this city. The second I graduate college, I'm moving to London. Peace out, USA! You've been warned...
Until next time!
Cheers!
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