The Coal Hole, Strand, WC2

A grade II-listed pub dating from 1904 and well documented below and on CAMRA’s list of pubs with heritage interiors, this being of Regional Importance. I haven’t been in here for around 18 years, but like Ray, I too had my Richard Harris moment in here with the ex in 2000, before a do at the Savoy; I’ll spare you the details, but he wasn’t exactly sober. Ales: Doom, Pride, Nicholson’s Pale Ale, Proper Job and Ghost Ship at a really quite reasonable £2.55 a half and fine. This is really a must-visit London pub to experience the architecture, rather than the ambience, but it’s best appreciated early in the week as it’s absolutely rammed at peak times and very noisy; the mezzanine is the place to sit.

last pub we visited before heading off to the rugby league Challenge Cup final on 24th August. a classy Nicholsons place on the Strand serving several platters of small pies when we were here. We sat outside in the alley with a view of the Thames. Nice pub but very much a central London pub in price and atmosphere.

Nicholson's pub with no real ale above 4.5% ABV. Very busy and expands out at the back and upstairs.