Why The Albert in Westminster Is Worth Seeking Out
You may have come looking for The Albert because you’ve seen photographs of its ornate Victorian exterior surrounded by modern office buildings, or perhaps you spotted it while exploring Westminster on your way to Buckingham Palace or Victoria Station.
The Albert is one of those London pubs that makes you stop and reach for your camera. Its red-and-yellow brickwork, wrought-iron balconies and tall Victorian windows look wonderfully out of place among the modern buildings surrounding it. Inside, you’ll find a traditional London pub with a few surprising connections to Britain’s political history.
The Albert attracts a mixture of sightseeing visitors and people working around Victoria and Westminster, so expect a lively atmosphere, particularly during weekday early evenings. The ground-floor bar is the place for a casual pint, although seating can be limited when it’s busy. Upstairs, there’s a separate dining room serving traditional British pub favorites, including Sunday roasts. Booking ahead is a good idea if you’re staying for a meal.
What’s the Pint Pick?
Try a pint of Greene King Abbot Ale on cask, if available. It’s a rich, malty English bitter and a fitting choice for this traditional Greene King pub.
Order your drink at the bar and pay when you order. If the card machine prompts you for a tip, you can press skip. Digital prompts are increasingly common these days, but tipping is still not customary when buying drinks at a London pub bar counter.
The Albert’s Victorian History and Parliamentary Curiosities
The Albert is one of the few Victorian buildings still standing along Victoria Street. Built in the 1860s and named for Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, the pub survived the sweeping redevelopment that replaced much of the surrounding neighborhood with modern office buildings.
Its Grade II listed exterior still retains beautifully detailed Victorian features, including decorative iron balconies and engraved, frosted glass windows.
Inside, the pub’s proximity to the Houses of Parliament becomes part of the decoration. Look for the gallery of former British Prime Ministers’ portraits and photographs along the staircase leading upstairs.
Another curiosity is the pub’s parliamentary division bell. These bells were installed in selected establishments around Westminster to alert MPs when a vote was called, giving them a few minutes to return to Parliament. The Albert’s bell is a fascinating reminder of the days when political business and a pint were closely connected.
Address: 52 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0NP
Nearest Station: St James’s Park
Website: The Albert — Greene King
Keep Exploring London
8 Beautiful London Pubs to Photograph: From Hidden Alleys to Floral Facades
The George on the Strand: Is This Mock-Tudor London Pub Worth a Visit?
Inside The Churchill Arms in Kensington: Is This Flower-Covered Pub Worth Visiting?