Discover
the extraordinary
architecture
and history of
Westminster’s most
unique pubs
Join Open City for a walking tour exploring the fascinating architectural and social history of some of London's most iconic public houses in Westminster
Inspired by Open City's book Public House: A Cultural and Social History of the London Pub, , and off the back of his highly popular Open City’s City of London pub tour, public historian and tour guide Sheldon K Goodman explores historic and contemporary public houses in the heart of Westminster –London’s politics, power and entertainment district.
Westminster’s pubs are woven into the fabric of the area: an eclectic range of bolt-holes and genteel, refined establishments to see and be seen drinking in. The story of London’s more than 3,500 pubs tells the story of the city itself, yet the ongoing threat to landlords and their livelihoods is bringing these bastions of leisure and good beer under increasing threat.
In the shadow of world-class theatres, railway stations, markets and hotels – the Westminster pub walking tours will showcase beautiful heritage hostelries compared to modern equivalents aimed at the tourist and the commuter, as well as the social histories that happened within them.
Highlights will include the Ship and Shovell, a Victorian pub that is split in two; the lavish Lord Salisbury and its magnificent saloon bar; The Harp, a beer-lovers favourite; The Coal Hole, once home to a song-and-supper club and favoured watering hole of the late actor Richard Harris; and the Nell Gwynne, a backstreet treat named after Charles II’s favourite mistress.
Providing a fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city, this tour will explore the architecture and history of the London pub, their influence and cultural importance, as well as providing a chance to explore the surrounding streets and go inside the pubs themselves.
Meet: Outside The Clermont London, Charing Cross Strand WC2N 5HX
Ends: The Cross Keys, 31 Endell Street WC2H 9EB
Duration: 2 hrs approx
Distance: 5 km approx
Access: route includes occasional use of steps
Cost: £19.50 / £14.50 / £9.50
Tickets are non refundable and go ahead rain or shine. Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
Meet the tour guide…
Sheldon K Goodman is a public historian, tour guide, heritage professional and founder of Cemetery Club, which seeks to show cemeteries as Museums of People full of rich social history rather than as morbid, mournful spaces to be avoided.
As a heritage communicator, Sheldon runs various walking tours and events in museums and other heritage spaces, including co-developing the first queer history cemetery tour in the UK entitled ‘Queerly Departed’ for the Royal Parks with a successful sequels for Arnos Vale and Birmingham Jewellery Quarters Cemeteries Trust, as well as working with the Brunel Museum in delivering a women’s history tour, creating visual content for Schools Out UK and speaking at the National Archives and at the BBC. Sheldon is also a qualified City of Westminster guide.
He joined the Open City tours team in May 2022.
Open City's year-round tours programme is supported by Bloomberg Connects, a free app a free guide to the best art exhibitions and museums.