Old Bell Tavern

This pub dates all the way back to the 17th century, and from the outside it looks olde worlde to the core. Unfortunately numerous refits mean that the interior appears much like a conventional, modern day establishment. Nonetheless, it's still quite cosy and charismatic, if a little cramped.

In Fleet Street's heyday the pub was the haunt hordes of vociferous journos and printers, though these days your more likely to come across city boys or tourists.

Out the back the pub opens out on to the courtyard of St Bride's Church - one of Sir Christopher Wren's most gorgeous constructions. A lovely, shady spot on a sweltering day. In fact, the pub was one of several built for the refreshment of Wren's building teams whilst they reconstructed the City's churches after the Great Fire.