London’s historic pubs have collected some wonderfully dark stories over the centuries. From Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel and haunted cellars to highwaymen, pirates and bare-knuckle fights, a few of the city’s most fascinating drinking establishments have rather questionable pasts.
Some of these stories are documented history. Others are ghostly legends that have grown with every retelling. Either way, these six pubs are worth seeking out for more than their reputations.
1. The Ten Bells — Jack the Ripper’s Spitalfields
Just across from Old Spitalfields Market, The Ten Bells is one of London’s most recognizable pubs associated with the Jack the Ripper murders of 1888.
The pub has reported connections to two of the victims, Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly, although some of the familiar stories are less certain than the historical record suggests. None of the murders took place inside the pub.
Behind its striking Victorian entrance, elaborate tiled walls include a remarkable panel depicting Spitalfields’ historic silk-weaving industry. Today, The Ten Bells is a lively East London pub, with craft beer downstairs and a cocktail bar upstairs—a rather different atmosphere from its sinister reputation.
Explore The Ten Bells: Is This Jack the Ripper Pub Worth a Visit?
2. The Grenadier — A Ghost Named Cedric in Hidden Belgravia
Tucked away in a quiet residential mews in Belgravia, The Grenadier is a tiny, wood-panelled London pub with a bright red sentry box, military memorabilia and a rather unusual collection of banknotes covering its ceiling.
According to legend, the pub is haunted by Cedric, a young soldier supposedly killed after cheating at cards. Visitors leave banknotes on the ceiling to settle his gambling debt and, perhaps, keep his restless spirit at peace.
Whether you believe in Cedric or not, the hidden location, cozy interior and wonderfully eccentric ceiling make The Grenadier worth seeking out.
Explore The Grenadier: Is London’s Hidden Pub Worth Finding?
3. The Viaduct Tavern — Haunted Cellars and Victorian Gin Palace Grandeur
Standing on the corner of Newgate Street and Giltspur Street, near the Old Bailey, The Viaduct Tavern is a beautifully preserved Victorian gin palace with elaborate paintings, decorative mirrors and a richly patterned ceiling.
But its darker reputation lies beneath your feet.
The old brick-vaulted basement chambers are said to be former prison cells connected to nearby Newgate Prison, although their origins remain disputed. They may simply have been Victorian storage cellars.
Adding to the pub’s haunted reputation is the story of a former manager who reportedly became trapped in the darkened cellar in 1996.
With its ornate Victorian interior and unsettling tales of what lies below, The Viaduct Tavern is an intriguing stop for anyone drawn to London’s darker history.
Explore The Viaduct Tavern: A Haunted Victorian Gin Palace?
4. The Prospect of Whitby — Pirates, Execution Dock and the Riverside Gallows
Hidden along Wapping Wall beside the Thames, The Prospect of Whitby is one of London’s oldest riverside pubs, with a notorious past involving sailors, smugglers and river pirates.
Once known as the Devil’s Tavern, the pub has been part of Wapping’s working waterfront for centuries. Inside, worn flagstones, dark timber and an old pewter-topped bar preserve its maritime atmosphere.
But the most unsettling reminder of its past is outside. A replica gallows and noose stand along the Thames foreshore, recalling nearby Execution Dock, where convicted pirates and maritime criminals once met their fate.
With its riverside setting and centuries of colorful history, The Prospect of Whitby is an atmospheric place to enjoy a pint while imagining London’s rougher waterfront days.
5. The Spaniards Inn — Highwaymen and Ghost Stories on Hampstead Heath
Perched on the edge of Hampstead Heath, The Spaniards Inn is a historic London pub surrounded by stories of highwaymen, restless spirits and mysterious happenings.
According to legend, the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin frequented the inn, and the phantom hoofbeats of his horse can still be heard along Spaniards Road. Other ghost stories involve a murdered moneylender and a mysterious Woman in White.
Inside, low ceilings, dark wood panelling and small historic rooms create an atmospheric setting for these centuries-old tales. Across the road, an old tollhouse adds to the feeling of stepping back into London’s past.
Dick Turpin’s connection to the pub remains uncertain, and the ghosts belong to folklore. But the historic setting and colorful legends make The Spaniards Inn a memorable destination in its own right.
Explore The Spaniards Inn: Inside London’s Legendary Haunted Pub
6. The Lamb & Flag — Covent Garden’s Notorious “Bucket of Blood”
Tucked along narrow Rose Street in Covent Garden, The Lamb & Flag is a historic London pub with a surprisingly violent past.
In the early 19th century, the pub was known for bare-knuckle prize fighting. The bloody contests earned it the nickname “The Bucket of Blood.”
And that wasn’t the only violence associated with this corner of Covent Garden. In 1679, the poet John Dryden was ambushed and beaten by hired men in the nearby alley, an incident known as the Rose Alley Ambuscade.
Today, the Lamb & Flag is a lively traditional pub, with historic wooden counters, old panelling and leaded windows. Visitors gather outside with pints in hand, a far more peaceful scene than its notorious past might suggest.
Explore The Lamb & Flag: Is This Famous “Bucket of Blood” Pub Worth a Visit?
Keep Exploring London’s Historic Pubs
Hidden London Pubs: 8 Historic Pubs Worth Seeking Out — Discover tucked-away pubs, hidden courtyards and historic drinking spots away from London’s busiest sightseeing streets.
London’s Historic Riverside Pubs: 8 Thames Pubs Worth Seeking Out — Explore historic pubs along the Thames, from old maritime taverns to atmospheric waterfront drinking spots.