Ye Old Cheshire Cheese

“SECRET Wonderland– A NEW  SATURN HERALD OCCASIONAL COLUMN

Lovers of London History, Lovers of Real Ales, Lovers of Writers – This “watering hole” has something for all….

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – 145 Fleet Street, Wine Office Court, City of London EC4A 2BU, nestles behind a fairly or even very  modest entrance, close to the famous “Street of Shame” – formerly brimful of newspapers and publishers – Fleet Street.

To the right of the door, is a list of all the monarchs who have reigned in England during the pub’s existence which covers several centuries! Inside the pub there are numerous bars and “gloomy” atmospheric rooms where open fireplaces burn in the colder months. The pub, which contains much wood furnishings and stairs inside, was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London which occurred in 1666 so it very VERY old!

The pub is currently owned by Samuel Smiths brewery and serves beers associated with CAMRA – Campaign for Real Ale.

Writers – including Charles Dickens, G.K Chesterton, Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Samuel Johnson have all been patrons in the past and writers and journalists still congregrate here even though Fleet Street “has moved on”. “The Rhymers Club” was one of the writing groups who visited and enjoyed beers and poems and included London based poets in 1890 founded by the famous  W.B. Yeats and Ernest Rhys.

Polly the Parrot  – a grey bird lived in the pub for around forty years.  Polly who expired in 1926 was mentioned in 200 newspapers when she finally breathed her last – her death was reported around the world!

Fascinating artworks are also part of the charm and appeal of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.  I myself have been to a journalist’s party there and warmed myself up in front of one of the open fires.  The pub is a delight and comfort especially to thespians and creatives of all denominations. 

ENJOY

Penny Nair Price