Ye Olde Mitre, London: Grade II Listed Pub
Hidden away in a narrow street, Ye Olde Mitre in London is one of the oldest and most historic pubs in the capital.
Situated in an old alley close to Farringdon Station, Ye Olde Mitre is like stepping back 100 years and gives you a real feel about how it might have felt popping into a London pub back in medieval times.
Built in 1546 for the servants of the Bishops of Ely, The Ye Olde Mitre is famous for having a cherry tree, (now supporting the front) that Queen Elizabeth once allegedly danced around with Sir Christopher Hatton.
The stump can still be seen just inside the first doorway, though a dash of scepticism might be in order.
Sir Christopher Hatton was an English politician, Lord Chancellor of England and a favourite of Elizabeth I of England.
He was one of the judges who found Mary, Queen of Scots guilty of treason.
The pub was actually a part of Cambridge (Ely being in Cambridge) and the licencees used to have to go there for their licence.
Set in a part of London steeped in history, it's near where William Wallace was hung, drawn and quartered at Smithfield, along with martyrs and traitors who were also killed nearby.
William Wallace, the Scottish knight who played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England in the late 13th century, was not hanged.
William Wallace was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering on August 23, 1305, after being captured by English forces led by King Edward I of England.
Ye Olde Mitre is also Grade II listed, making it of historic and national importance, according to Historic England.
The pub consists of two equally cosy drinking rooms which are separated by the central bar.
You'll find a small upstairs room and wraparound drinking space outside the building.
But it certainly looks like it might be, as the small rooms, wood panels and walls of pictures offer exactly what every Anglophile would expect a true British pub to be.
If a dictionary of illustrations could be produced, best entry for “cosy” would be this little place.
Reasonably priced, simple pub snacks are aplenty, and the historic building, hanging jugs and framed historic newspaper articles fill the rooms with character and ambience.
Today, visitors can discover a wealth of real ales on tap and a friendly team behind the bar.
Recently, it was voted in Evening Standard's top pubs to visit in London and according to their website, it’s open Monday - Friday from 12pm.
Someone who recently visited the pub said: “Although this pub was taken over by Fullers it’s been left untouched.
”The beer is superb, we had the Dark Star winter ale, the staff are extremely friendly and it's a great place to see how pubs used to be, no game machines, televisions and people just having a good time drinking and chatting.
”A must for those wanting to experience a real pub with real atmosphere and real beer.”
Someone else added: “The interior is small and quickly fills up, but there are plenty more seats out the front and round the side. The gents toilet is perhaps the smallest I've ever been in!
”An excellent selection of real ales from around the country which are well kept. The staff were friendly and the small menu of toasted sandwiches and savoury products were well presented and hit the spot.”
If you’d like to visit, the address is: 1 Ely Ct, Ely Pl, London EC1N 6SJ.
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