Some history with your pint? 

The history of the public house in London is as rich and multi-layered as the history of the city itself, and can be traced back to the introduction of tabernae to England by the Romans. After the Romans’ departure, the taberna evolved into the Anglo-Saxon alehouse, where a heady malted barley brew was served.

By the early 14th century, there were 354 taverns in London, some of which also served as crude employment agencies. Many of the capital’s oldest timber-framed pubs were lost in the Great Fire of 1666, which is why so many claiming to be the oldest date to 1667. From the 17th century, the coaching inn was a vital part of transport infrastructure, designed to feed, water and accommodate passengers and their horses.

Pubs have encompassed an extraordinary array of roles over the centuries, but have always been vital institutions of London’s communities.
 
Here, we look at some Mayfair and Belgravia watering holes that have stood the test of time.

The Grenadier – Wilton Mews, London SW1X 7NR, bit.ly/oCNflN 
This tiny but charming pub’s patriotic red, white and blue colour scheme and sentry box outside are dead giveaways of its military history. Built in about 1830, the Grenadier (pictured) began life as the Duke of Wellington’s officers’ mess, and takes its name from the Grenadier Guards barracks, which were nearby at the time. The pub’s cosy interior is littered with beautifully preserved articles of military artefacts and is even said to be haunted by the ghost of an officer who was beaten and accidentally killed when he was caught cheating at cards. Modern-day customers can expect a somewhat more civilised treatment, with a medley of traditional British food such as fish and chips, bangers and mash and beef Wellington. As well as a good selection of cask ales, the pub’s speciality is its Bloody Mary, which it boasts is the best in town.

The Coach and Horses – 5 Hill Street, London W1J 5LD, www.coachandhorsesmayfair.co.uk 
The Coach and Horses gets its name from being one of the few surviving coaching inns. It was established in 1744 to provide accommodation for the travelling aristocracy and is now a grade II listed building. Its genteel, dark wood-panelled interior retains some original features, such as cellars and an old-fashioned cold room. Like many pubs in the area, it’s not open on weekends – a measure designed to preserve the area as an oasis of quiet away from the hubbub of the rest of the West End – although the venue can be hired outside of opening times. The pub boasts an extensive menu of traditional pub fare and Shepherd Neame ales. 

The Guinea – 30 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NL, www.theguinea.co.uk
Originally called the Pound, the pub changed its name to mark the new currency in 1663. The current building dates to the 1720s, but there has been a pub on the site since as far back as 1423, making it one of the contenders for Mayfair’s oldest pub. The Guinea catered for the stable hands and servants employed by the residents of Berkeley Square and Bruton Street. In 1953, it opened its adjoining grill, which remains famous for its dry-aged, grass-fed Scotch beef and award-winning pies. It has been the haunt of film stars and politicians for decades, and both the pub and grill exude elegance.