Ye Olde Mitre, London

Not your typical backstreet tavern, this pub is more of a clandestine hideaway, renowned for being one of London's most elusive establishments, as well as one of its oldest, dating all the way back to 1546. Nestled amidst the diamond vendors of Hatton Garden, you'll need to navigate through a hidden entryway, effectively leaving the bustling City of London behind for what was once part of Cambridge, formerly belonging to the Bishop of Ely's palace.

Ye Olde Mitre likely served the bishop's servants, and the surrounding area functioned as an independent enclave akin to the Vatican. If people with less-than-honorable intentions wanted to avoid getting caught by the City of London police, they'd hide in the alley where the pub stands and then slip into the neighboring slums. Those very slums were the ones that Charles Dickens used as inspiration for Fagin's hideout in his book "Oliver Twist", where the old mentor taught young homeless boys how to pickpocket.

Inside the front bar, you'll find remnants of a distinctive cherry tree that once marked a boundary and is said to have witnessed Queen Elizabeth I dancing around it with Sir Christopher Hatton during a maypole celebration. Locals often migrate to the upstairs Bishop's Room or the cozy rear snug, and on pleasant days, patrons can enjoy their drinks outdoors, gathered around large beer barrels in the alley.

This establishment, closed on weekends, offers a selection of English tapas in the form of Scotch eggs, toasties, and sausage rolls, maintaining a traditional charm that includes having restroom facilities located outside.

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Sight Name: Ye Olde Mitre
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

London's Historic Pubs Walk

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