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Blog series: secret spots near Mayfair for…a history-filled drink
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From the oldest drinking hole in Mayfair to the former haunt of the Great Train Robbers, here are our top local spots for a history-filled drink in London.
The Argyll Arms
This pub at 18 Argyll Street is Grade II listed and was built in 1868. The incredible interior has original mahogany panels and traditional snugs popular in the Victorian era. Even some of the glass partitions are originals too. The inside of the pub is so amazing that it is currently being petitioned to be added to the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.
The Grenadier
Found at 18 Wilton Row in Belgrave Square, The Grenadier is the location of a former officers' mess. Said to be one of London's most haunted pubs, The Grenadier is apparently named after a young soldier called Cedric. This young solider came to a grisly end after he was caught cheating at cards. To this day, visitors still pin money to the ceiling of the pub to help him pay his debt, but despite this, his ghost still seems to be trapped on earth…
This pub in Mayfair's quaint Shepherd Market dates back to 1882 and its interior feels a little like stepping back in time, with a touch of the quirkiness about it. Over the years, Shepherd Market is a spot where numerous artists and authors have called home. One of these was the author and playwright Michael Arlen, who lived in a flat opposite Ye Grapes. Shepherd Market was the location of his best-selling 1924, The Green Hat.
The Running Horse
This pub at 50 Davies Street may have had a more recent makeover, but it is in fact the oldest pub in Mayfair. The Running Horse has been open since 1738. You still feel a sense of the pub's history today, with traditional fireplaces, wall panelling and a gorgeous wooden floor. It's a place to imagine a London of past times with all the luxurious trimmings of the neighbourhood today.
The Star Tavern
This pub dates back to the 19th century, but it has become famed for more than just its historic credentials. The Star Tavern became particularly well known for a whole host of showbusiness patrons in the 20th century, from film producers such as Sir Alexander Korda to the actor Peter O'Toole. However, the pub's biggest claim to fame is that it's allegedly the spot where the Great Train Robbers made their plans in 1963!
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