Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
London, England
Perched on the edge of the historic City of London, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has served as a pub and chophouse since 1538. The current iteration of this famous Fleet Street watering hole dates back to the 17th century, and its history is palpable in the cozy, low-ceilinged bars decorated with wooden panels and barrels.
The basics
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese comprises six sections, including the traditional Cellar Bar; the deep red Johnson Bar with its leather sofas and fireplace; and the Chop Room, which was frequented by Dr. Samuel Johnson, the English writer responsible for the phrase, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Both guided and self-guided historic pub tours will take you here, and you can also stop by on a Charles Dickens tour or other historical outings in the City of London.
Things to know before you go
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese’s signature dish is steak and kidney pie; its menu includes classic British dishes such as ham hock terrine, devilled kidneys, and lamb rump.
- The drinking age in the UK is 18, so you’ll need to provide ID if you’re lucky enough to look younger.
- The pub serves a wide range of drinks, including ciders and ales on tap and in bottles.
- Due to the historic nature of the building, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is inaccessible to wheelchairs.
How to get there
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is on Fleet Street in the City of London. The closest stations are City Thameslink (a 5-minute walk away), on the Thameslink train line, and Blackfriars on the District line, a 7-minute walk away. Bus numbers 15, 26, and 76 also stop within a minute’s walk of the pub.
When to get there
The pub is open daily. Monday–Saturday it’s open from lunchtime until the late evening; on Sundays, it opens an hour later and tends to close an hour earlier. Last orders are typically 30 minutes before closing time. Thanks to its cozy atmosphere, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a great place to visit in the fall and winter.
Other historic pubs in London
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese isn’t the only centuries-old London pub that bursts with character. Also on Fleet Street is The Tipperary, allegedly the first pub in London to sell Guinness. Once you’ve enjoyed a drink in front of the beautifully etched mirrors, wander to the Cross Keys in Covent Garden, famous for its plant-covered exterior and interior decorated with eclectic memorabilia.
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