PHOTO: Courtesy of The Spaniards Inn

Depending on how you define London’s boundaries, there are believed to be as many as 7,000 pubs in the sprawling metropolis. That’s a whole lot of places to get a proper pint, so we’ve selected 15 of our favorite spots. With so many pubs to choose from, we couldn’t include every gem on our list, so we’ve focused on standouts with a timeless atmosphere rather than trendy gastropubs and craft-beer bars. From Hampstead to Wimbledon, here are the 15 best pubs in London.

by Abbey Chase

PHOTO: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese / rebuilt 1667 by George Rex Attribution-ShareAlikeLicense

WHERE: Blackfriars

You can’t turn around in London without bumping into a centuries-old pub, but Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has a certain well-worn patina that not many can match. A pub has stood on the spot since 1538 (though it required substantial rebuilding after the Great Fire of London in 1666) and the vaulted cellars below date back to the 13th century. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has become a city landmark, but hasn’t lost any of its charm. There’s a list of every English monarch who has ruled since 1667 beside the door (Charles II was on the throne at the time) and a host of illustrious writers is said to have frequented this London institution at one point or another. Keep in mind that there is more than one pub with the “Cheshire Cheese” moniker, so be sure to visit the original at 145 Fleet Street.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Lamb & Flag

WHERE: Covent Garden

Tucked in a back alley, Lamb & Flag is the kind of place you’ll find only if you’re already looking for it. Despite its proximity to the crowded, though still charming, Covent Garden, this pub is refreshingly kitsch-free and has stood on the same site since 1772, and counted Charles Dickens as one of its regulars. You’ll likely have to politely shove your way to the bar, but the centuries-old wall hangings, worn wooden bar, and authentic charm make Lamb & Flag well worth a visit.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The Spaniards Inn

WHERE: Hampstead

If you’re staying in central London, the trek to this Hampstead pub can feel like quite a journey, but it doesn’t get much more atmospheric than this. Originally built as a tollbooth at the entrance to the Bishop of London’s estate, The Spaniards Inn is awash in dark oak paneling, lit by a seemingly dangerous open fire in one corner. The pub also has a long literary history; the wooden bench outside proudly declares “Keats enjoyed many an Ale here,” and Spaniards is mentioned in both Dracula and The Pickwick Papers. In the winter, you’ll find a steaming cauldron of mulled wine behind the bar and during the warmer months, enjoy the exceptional cheese board in the garden.

PHOTO: Churchill Arms, Kensington, W8 by Ewan MunroAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License

WHERE: Notting Hill

Of all the pubs in London, The Churchill Arms may have the most distinctive look. Coming down Kensington Church Street, you’ll be able to spot this Notting Hill institution from several blocks away with its floral-covered façade and regal, tiered structure. Once inside, be careful not to knock over any of the hundreds of knickknacks (and a striking amount of Winston Churchill memorabilia) hanging from the walls and ceiling. Ironically, the pub named after the great British leader is in fact an Irish establishment and to add more confusion to the mix, The Churchill Arms houses an unusually good Thai restaurant in the back.

PHOTO: © Patricia Hofmeester | Dreamstime.com

WHERE: Southwark

A map of London from circa 1543 indicates that the “Gorge” stood on the spot where The George Inn stands today, and though the pub was rebuilt after the London fire, it traces its roots back to medieval times. Now owned by the National Trust, The George Inn continues to serve beer and traditional English fare to Londoners as it has done for hundreds of years in its Southbank location, not three blocks from The Shard, the city’s newest landmark. The final remaining galleried coaching inn in the London, the pub boasts two spacious interior rooms in addition to the Oktoberfest-style lines of picnic tables in the courtyard.

PHOTO: Berni Vent

WHERE: Rotherhithe

Another of London’s oldest pubs, The Mayflower dates back to 1620 and, not coincidentally, was the site from which the ship of the same name set sail for New England in July of that year (the pub was renamed when it was substantially remodeled in the 1700s). The upstairs room offers a more upscale dining experience, and the downstairs bar and deck overlooking the river make for the perfect drinking environs. If you’re looking for the cheapest pint in the city, you won’t find it here, but the unique atmosphere and great location along the Thames make the price worth it.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Ye Olde Mitre

WHERE: Farringdon

Even when sober, finding Ye Olde Mitre can be a bit of a challenge, hidden down a narrow passageway on Ely Court off Holborn. The tavern is wedged between St. Etheldreda’s Church (one of the oldest Catholic churches in England) and Hatton Garden, and has become famous for the cherry tree that stands out front, which Queen Elizabeth I is said to have danced around. Spilling outside the pub’s doors is almost preferable here, as Ye Olde Mitre has the quiet alleyway to itself and has strung mini English flags overhead. Beer steins and pitchers hung on the ceiling give the place a quaint, cluttered feel, and bargoers hoping to find some original fare will be pleased with the tapas-inspired menu.

PHOTO: Nag’s Head, Belgravia, SWI by Ewan MunroAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License

WHERE: Belgravia

There are pubs with authentic, old-school charm and then there’s The Nags Head (53 Kinnerton Street). The no-cellphones policy is strictly enforced, you’ll be firmly asked to hang up your coat upon entering, and you won’t find a TV on the premise, though penny arcade games are dotted around the room. Kevin Moran is practically a caricature of a traditional pub owner and the locals who frequent The Nags Head are equally eccentric. The prices are a bit steep, but you’ll be paying for the atmosphere more than the beer.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The Flask

WHERE: Hampstead

The Flask can be something of a mind-bender, no matter how much or how little you’ve had to drink; with two separate entrances and two bars that have no interior connection, finding your way around this historic space can be a bit of a challenge. Originally built with a separate public bar and saloon bar (the former the more modest option), The Flask has maintained its original charm with the addition of a more modern dining room in the back. A perfect blending of the old with the new makes this Hampstead spot (with a surprisingly long wine list) an inviting spot to imbibe, situated along the impossibly quaint Flask Walk a block from the Hampstead Tube station.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The Antelope

WHERE: Belgravia

Though found near Sloane Square, one of the most expensive parts of an already pricey city, The Antelope offers up a quintessential English pub atmosphere without emptying your pockets. To boot, the food is exceptional for a pub and the wood-paneled exterior looks particularly inviting on the otherwise quiet, residential street. Looking for something more sophisticated? Head upstairs to the Eaton Room, outfitted with red curtains, stylishly mismatched wooden chairs, and mint-colored paneled walls.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The White Hart

WHERE: Waterloo

There are a number of pubs in London that bear this name, but when looking for the best neighborhood vibe and a quintessential Sunday roast, head to The White Hart near Waterloo station. Tucked away on a quiet neighborhood street in a refreshingly tourist-free Southbank area, this single-room pub can get crowded with the after-work set, but the endlessly cheery group of locals will more than make up for the lack of seating. The White Hart is tough to beat on a Sunday afternoon; the excellent roast, pile of board games and newspapers, and delicious Bloody Marys make for the ultimate relaxed end to the weekend.

PHOTO: Ben Carpenter Photography

WHERE: Wimbledon

Just 15 minutes by train from Waterloo station, Wimbledon feels miles from central London with its quiet High Street and wooded Wimbledon Common, where horseback riders, casual golfers, and wellie-clad dog-walkers all lend the park an almost stereotypical English vibe. Fitting of the small-town atmosphere, The Dog & Fox does double-duty as a pub and hotel, not a five-minute walk from the Common. In addition to the usual line-up of Young’s beer, The Dog & Fox also features an extensive cocktail list, best enjoyed on the outdoor patio on a sunny day.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Princess Victoria Kensington

WHERE: Kensington

While not the most traditional spot on this list, the Princess Victoria Kensington brings a touch of whimsy to the usual pub experience. The neon sign behind the bar lends this pub a slightly dive-y feel, but the small space is still very cozy, without feeling cramped. Head upstairs for a respite from the noisy downstairs bar, and don’t leave without ordering the shockingly good fresh warm bread. Cocktail lovers in particularly will love this spot; the £8 drinks are a ridiculously good deal in London, let alone in the tony Kensington neighborhood.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The Victoria

WHERE: Paddington

This area north of Hyde Park isn’t the busiest corner of the city, which is part of what makes The Victoria so appealing. The menu features standard pub fair, but the food is a cut above what you’ll normally find at the average London drinking hole. The cozy interior is exactly what you’d hope to find in an English pub, with intricate woodwork, antique-y light fixtures, and a fireplace surrounded by well-worn armchairs. Upstairs features a beautiful library, perfect for a more quiet bite.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The Crown & Anchor

WHERE: Brixton

Managing to maintain its traditional English vibe while offering a unique assortment of craft ales, The Crown & Anchor sees tweed suits and ironically clad hipsters come together under one roof. Beer is the star of the show here, but this South London pub doesn’t lack in atmosphere either, with an exposed brick wall along one side and a wall of French windows along the other, with quirky minimalist light fixtures hung between the two.

The Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, which opened in May, boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, the city’s highest cocktail bar and infinity pool, and unrivalled views of the London skyline from 1,016 feet above the South Bank of the Thames. Occupying floors 34 to 52 of the Renzo Piano-designed skyscraper, the Shangri-La is London’s first high-rise hotel, and the tallest in Western Europe. Its location, just behind City Hall, puts it within walking distance of Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe, Southbank Centre, and the Tower of London.

Visitors enter the hotel through a ground-floor lobby on St. Thomas Street, adjacent to the London Bridge tube station, where they’re welcomed by a small seating area and, off to the left, a self-dubbed “artisan deli” called LÁNG. Modelesque women draped in Asian silks check you in, hand you a cold towel, and introduce you to a porter who’ll whisk you and your luggage to your room by way of one of two express elevators that exit on the 35th floor. Here, you’ll change to a key-card-only access elevator up to the guestrooms, where your porter will acquaint you with your room, including automated climate control and blinds, a plush kimono, and a pair of binoculars for enjoying the view.

Rates: Guestrooms and suites (180 rooms are currently open, with another 22 opening by 2015) are priced by view. Of the guestrooms, the least expensive, at $799 during high season (Superior Shard Room), affords south-facing views; the most expensive, $1,050 (Iconic City View Room), gives you access to triple-aspect, 180-degree views of London’s key landmarks. Suites start at $2,690.

Rooms:  All of the hotel’s guestrooms have custom beds adorned with Frette linens, free WiFi, flat-screen TVss, a Nespresso machine, and a complimentary pot of Chinese welcome tea. The marble bathrooms, replete with Acqua Di Parma toiletries, have heated floors, a TV in the mirror, and Toto Washlet toilets. With neutral-colored furniture, unremarkable wall art, and space-age swirly carpets, the décor is typical for the Hong Kong-based Shangri-La group; understated, almost bland. However, it only takes a single, outward glance to understand why: Every guestroom in the hotel has jaw-dropping views of London and beyond.

In an Iconic City View Room—definitely the one to book—this humbling panorama stretches from Buckingham Palace in the west to Greenwich’s Royal Observatory in the east, and everything in between, including the full trace of the Thames, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, and bridges too numerous to count. To stay in a room with a view like this is a one-of-a-kind experience in London. (The Shard’s viewing deck doesn’t even come close.)

Drinks & Dining: LÁNG, on the ground floor, serves pastries, salads, and sandwiches, while TĪNG on the 35th floor offers a Modern British-meets-Asian menu featuring seasonal ingredients from nearby Borough Market. TĪNG’s lounge serves London’s highest afternoon tea; choose between classic English or Asian-inspired preparations. The 52nd-floor Champagne and cocktail bar, GŎNG, is the perfect spot for sundowners or late-night drinks from the creative craft cocktail list.

Health & Fitness: There is a 24-hour fitness center on level 52 as well as an infinity swimming pool with special children’s swimming hours. Spa treatments can be arranged in your room or in one of the spa residences.

Pros: Matchless views; superb service; exceptional restaurants and cocktail bar; nifty, high-tech bells and whistles in guestrooms.

Cons: A “currently being worked on” design flaw caused by glass wings that protrude from the corners of the building allows guests, with a turn of the head, to see into their neighbor’s room at night; décor may feel cold to some; restaurant, cocktail bar (and therefore elevators) often swell with hotel guests and non-hotel guests alike due to the popularity of the view.

PHOTO: © Alexandre Fagundes De Fagundes | Dreamstime.com

Few countries can lay claim to as many great writers as England, home to some of history’s most renowned scribes. Strolling around the capital, be sure to look for the blue plaques marking where people of importance, both literary and otherwise, have lived and worked throughout history, but for a more dedicated look at the city’s literary history, read on. From pubs to museums to libraries, here are 15 can’t-miss spots for literature lovers touring London.

by Abbey Chase

PHOTO: Alistair Scott/Shutterstock

What better place to begin a literary tour of London than at a library? Originally part of the British Museum, the Library moved to its current location on Euston Road in 1998, transferring its collection to the 1.2-million-square-foot space. With more than 150 million items in its collection, including manuscripts that date back 4,000 years, the British Library is the second largest library in the world, behind the Library of Congress. Literature fans should make a beeline for the Sir John Ritblat Gallery, just to the right of the main entrance, to view the Library’s stunning archival collection, which includes the Magna Carta, a Gutenberg Bible, original copies of Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Jane Eyre, and Shakespeare’s First Folio, and select works from Jane Austen to the Beatles.

PHOTO: (c) Patricia Hofmeester | Dreamstime.com

This Southwark pub dates back some 400 years, though it was virtually destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, and stands as the last remaining galleried coaching in in London. Charles Dickens was a frequent visitor of The George Inn, and he even mentioned it in Little Dorrit (in chapter XXII). Shakespeare is also rumored to have frequented this pub, though this is largely speculation due to its proximity to the Globe. The George is now owned by the National Trust to maintain the pub’s nostalgia-inducing, literary-steeped atmosphere.

PHOTO: © Liubou Tsiarletskaya | Dreamstime.com

Though technically located between 237 and 241 Baker Street, The Sherlock Holmes Museum proudly declares its address as 221b Baker Street in honor of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective. This homage to one of literature’s most famous sleuths can be found just off the southwest corner of Regent’s Park, and fans of all things Holmes will enjoy the small museum filled with period exhibits, Holmes memorabilia, and a mock-up of the detective’s study looking onto the street. Even if you decide to opt out of the museum tour ($16), this spot is still worth a visit for the outstanding gift shop, in-character staff, and Baker Street tube station, covered in Holmes’ silhouettes.

PHOTO: © Alexandre Fagundes De Fagundes | Dreamstime.com

In a city full of landmarks, the Globe Theatre is one of London’s most iconic spots. While the modern reconstruction is not even 20 years old, the recreation of the 1599 theatre has been painstakingly modeled after the original space that Lord Chamberlain’s Men called home. The original Globe caught fire in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII and was rebuilt the following year, before the Puritans shuttered it in 1642. For a true Shakespearean experience today, view a performance from the pit, the standing-room space directly in front of the stage; this season, the Globe is staging Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, King Lear, and The Comedy of Errors, as well as other non-Shakespeare productions. Alternatively, take a tour of the theatre.

PHOTO: © Baspohto | Dreamstime.com

John Keats lived in this house on the edge of Hampstead Heath with his friend Charles Brown for almost two years, where he is said to have written “Ode to a Nightingale.” Keats moved to Italy in 1820 as his tuberculosis deteriorated, leaving his fiancée Fanny Brawne in England, and the house was inhabited by various London celebrities throughout the rest of the 19th century. Today, the Keats Museum is housed in the adjacent coach house and showcases a collection of Keats’ letters, the engagement ring Keats gave Brawne, and a copy of the poet’s death mask. The house also hosts a variety of literary events, as well as guided walks around the neighborhood.

PHOTO: © Roland Nagy | Dreamstime.com

The list of famous people interred in Westminster Abbey is lengthy, to put it mildly, and Poets’ Corner in the South Transept serves as a kind of literary hall of fame. Geoffrey Chaucer’s tomb was placed here in 1556 as a kind of happy accident (he was recognized for his service as Clerk of Works, not as an author) that created Poets’ Corner, which has since served as a memorial to Britain’s greatest cultural contributors. Henry Francis Clay, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, Laurence Olivier, Edmund Spenser, and Alfred Tennyson are all interred here, and there are also several monuments commemorating famous writers whose remains are elsewhere, most notably Shakespeare, who is buried in Stratford-upon-Avon.

PHOTO: Jack1956, via Wikimedia Commons [Public domain]

Like Keats and his Hampstead residence, Dickens only lived in this house on Doughty Street for two years, but as the site where he penned Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickelby, this spot in Holborn is worth visiting. When plans to demolish the house were drawn up in 1923, the Dickens Fellowship took over the site and turned it into a museum showcasing a collection of Dickens’ memorabilia, including paintings, manuscripts, furniture, and other items that belonged to the author. You can tour the museum at your own pace or sign up for one of the Costumed Tours on the third Saturday of every month, in which a period-clad Dickens’ housemaid gives you a tour of the residence.

PHOTO: Abbey Chase

For something with a little more whimsy, take the Tube to the bustling King’s Cross Station and look for the famous platform to board the Hogwarts Express. Follow signs for platform 9 and you’ll see the trolley disappearing into the wall off to the side (there is a roped queue and an attendant there almost all the time, so it will be hard to miss). After you take a picture with a Hogwarts scarf of your choice, head to the gift shop around the corner to stock up on Harry Potter souvenirs and trinkets.

PHOTO: Ewan Munro, via Wikimedia Commons [Public domain]

A pub so famous it gave the London neighborhood its name (Fitzrovia), the Fitzroy Tavern (16 Charlotte Street) was once a favorite hangout of George Orwell, George Bernard Shaw, and Richard Attenborough. Legend has it that Welsh poet Dylan Thomas used to give out poetry written on beer mats to any woman who asked while drinking here. Pictures on the walls honor past regulars at the Fitzroy and while the crowd today is less literary than during the mid-20th century, the locals still lend this pub an authentic vibe.

PHOTO: © Chris Dorney | Dreamstime.com

This 37-acre cemetery in London was created in 1839 as one of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries built to alleviate the burden on cemeteries within the city, and Highgate became one of the most sought-after plots in Victorian London. Amidst the lavish catacombs, chapels, and Egyptian-style tombs, you can view the graves of Karl Marx, Henry Gray (author of Gray’s Anatomy), and George Elliot, as well as many of Charles Dickens’ family members and several prominent English actors. The cemetery has been referenced in several modern films, TV shows, and novels, and gained prominence in the 1970s due to rumored supernatural activity on the premises. Note that access to the West Cemetery is only allowed on an accompanied tour.

Built from the recycled wood of old ships, The Old Curiosity Shop (13-14 Portsmouth Street) is one of a select group of places in London that can say it survived both the Great Fire of 1666 and aerial bombing during World War II. The 16th-century shop can still be found near the London School of Economics and while the relationship between this particular store and Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop is unclear, the London landmark is considered by many to be the inspiration for the novel with its tilting ceilings, wobbly floorboards, and creaking staircase. Dickens lived in the Bloomsbury area near this shop and is said to have visited on multiple occasions. Stop in for a bit of history or to pick up a pair of shoes.

PHOTO: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese / rebuilt 1667 by George Rex Attribution-ShareAlikeLicense

With a list long list of illustrious literary regulars, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (145 Fleet Street) is a must-see for any literature fan passing through the city. Dr. Samuel Johnson moved next door to the pub in 1748 (though there is, in fact, no evidence of him ever visiting), but Mark Twain, Alfred Tennyson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, William Makepeace Thackerary, G.K. Chesterton, W.B. Yeats, Voltaire, James Boswell, and Ben Jonson are all said to have passed through at one point, if not attended regularly; Dickens’ even alluded to it in A Tale of Two Cities. This rickety Fleet Street pub is still a great place to grab a pint and relax in the historic atmosphere.

PHOTO: Schlaier, via Wikimedia Commons [Public domain]

A neighborhood steeped in literary history, Bloomsbury is an easy place to while away an afternoon exploring its quiet streets. The Bloomsbury Square garden was a meeting place for writers during the 1920s and ’30s known as the Bloomsbury Group, a highly influential group of writers that counted Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, and E.M. Forster as members. The British Museum, the former home of the British Library, is nearby, and W.B. Yeats, Charles Dickens, T.S. Eliot, and Bram Stoker all lived in the area at one point. Keep an eye out for the blue plaques marking important historical spots as you stroll around the neighborhood, or take a guided literary walking tour of Bloomsbury.

PHOTO: Elliot Brown, via Wikimedia Commons [Public domain]

Samuel Johnson is perhaps most famous for his publication of A Dictionary of the English Language in 1755, a watershed moment in the history of the English language, and fans of the famous lexicographer and writer can visit his house not 500 feet from Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Johnson lived at this house on 17 Gough Square for 11 years, during which time he compiled his Dictionary, and today visitors can view first printings of Johnson’s work and his personal pink tea set. Famous for his sociable disposition, Johnson was known for being a great host and many famous writers passed through here; some of their memorabilia is on display in the house today.

PHOTO: Oscar Wilde #1 by Alan Stanton Attribution-ShareAlikeLicense

The Irish poet and playwright moved to England in 1878 and took up residence at 44 Tite Street Chelsea in 1881. Though he died in Paris, Wilde spent much of his life in the English capital and wrote many of his famous works while living there. Fans of Wilde should seek out A Conversation With Oscar Wilde, a sculpture on Adelaide Street northeast of Trafalgar Square. The somewhat abstract sculpture, unveiled in 1998, shows a whimsical Wilde with a quote from Lady Windermere’s Fan inscribed beneath: “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”