The Old Bell, EC4

A pleasing historic Nicholson's pub built by Sir Christopher Wren for the stonemasons who were rebuilding nearby St Bride's church following the Great Fire. A reproduction of part of the building plans can be found in the main bar room towards the rear. My preferred area however is the small stone flagged front room which has an exceptional stained glass window facing Fleet Street. Seating in here is at leather benches or small stools at circular topped tables. There are framed proposed plans by both Wren and John Evelyn of the rebuilding of the City following the fire. There is also a framed valuation of the building with fixtures and fittings from February 1948, valueing the pub at £11092. You would probably need to find a bit more than that today. The bar is in the larger rear room, and has two banks of four pumps. You need to check them both out as they are not repeats. My recent visit had Coach House Gunpowder Mild x2, St Austell Tribute, Pride, Doom Bar, Deuchers IPA, Taylor's Landlord plus one not clipped. Plenty of the usual Nicholson's dark wood, a couple of fireplaces, generally traditional seating in here. Of interest was a reprint of the front page of the Daily Mail from 31st December 1940 showing the blitz and St Pauls standing unharmed in the midst of the flames. In all not a bad spot, especially if you can secure one of the tables in the front room.

I was quite excited when I found the entrance to this pub up some steps down a back alley as I thought it may be tucked away enough to escape the tourists and office hoards, but alas it was heaving and when I left I discovered that I went in the back way and the main entrance is actually on Fleet Street. This is a Nicholsons pub so the usual traditional pub food is served and I spotted Pride, Tribute, Doom Bar, Ruby Bell, Deuchars, Adnams and Landlord all available on hand pump. The Guinness was good and the staff seemed to be coping with the rush very well, but they are probably used to it. I didn’t spot any TV distractions, but there was some background music playing that could just about be heard over the chitchat. I would have no problem returning here, but I’d probably pick a quieter time.

I don’t need to add much to Roger’s review below, as it has remained effectively unchanged since then. Interestingly the entrance at the back in the alleyway used to be the main entrance, as the current Fleet Street entrance just led into the off licence without access to the pub. As part of the Nicholson’s chain one is not going to meet many surprises inside, but the pint I had (Bath Ales Summer Ale I believe) was excellent, and the food menu was the usual Nicholson’s fare. It certainly has an old feel to it, with plenty of dark wood everywhere, and solid flagstones, and with the view of St Bride’s churchyard out of the back window. I prefer the back of the pub, as far away from Fleet St as possible. The seating is comfortable, consisting of standard tables and chairs, and there is an attractive fireplace at the back. I wouldn’t regard it as a “must visit” pub, but I am very happy to drop in for a pint every now and then.

Official pages of The Old Bell Tavern, contains menu and cask ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Official pages of The Old Bell Tavern, contains menu and cask ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Good bloke Christopher Wren. While his builders and masons were slaving away building his churches, he had the great idea of building them a few pubs to relax in after work. 3 of his pubs remain in the area of which the Old Bell is one. Built in 1670 on the site of a previous pub destroyed in the Fire of London, it has been serving the local workers ever since although the builders eventually gave way to the Press men and today it is the haunt of office workers and tourists. The small area to the left of the entrance was originally the off licence and is probably the pubs best feature. The sun streaming through the stained glass windows is one of the more spectacular pub sights in London. The main bar area is rather cramped, the central bar taking up far too much room and squashing all the punters into a narrow area around the sides of the pub. The pub doesn't actually feel very old, probably the result of various refurbishments over the years and apart from the fireplace, very few original features are apparent. The back of the pub opens up to the courtyard of St Brides Church, a rather tranquil spot in contrast to the hustle and bustle of Fleet Street. Now part of the Nicholsons chain (the pub that is, not the church), the fare includes 3 Real Ales (Landlord, Pride and Young's Best) and the usual pub grub menu at reasonable prices. The pub gets busy very early and seating is limited. Certainly one of the most historic pubs in London and well worth a visit, although some may find the main bar lacking any real character for a pub this old.