London Off the Beaten Path Tips by St_Vincent

The Ship and Shovell proudly proclaims itself as the only pub in London that is built in two halves, having separate bars either side of a narrow passageway with a cellar linking the two below ground level. It is located near Charing Cross Station and within easy walking distance of Trafalgar Square. I have been into both halves, purely in the interests of research of course. The larger is very decorative with a lot of mirrors and engraved glass, and the smaller bar, as befits its size, has a mini snug just big enough for two people.

Why not pay a visit and maybe get one up on your friends back home, "What, you went to London and didn't visit the pub in two halves".

To find it, from Trafalgar Square walk down Northumberland Avenue until you see the Sherlock Holmes pub on your left. Go down Craven Passage, which runs down the right hand side of the pub, and you should be able to see the signs for the Ship and Shovell. From Villiers St. (runs from Charing Cross station to Embankment) you can also reach it by walking through the Arches shopping arcade.

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Other Contact: 2-3 Craven Passage WC2N 5PH

Dirty Dick's pub is on Bishopsgate almost opposite the main entrance to Liverpool St Station.

It has some interesting history with the name coming from the nickname of Nathaniel 'Richard' Bentley who had a shop nearby in the late 1700‘s. Just before his wedding his fiancée died and he was so upset that he sealed up the room that had been prepared for the wedding, stopped washing and never changed his clothes (hence Dirty Dick I suppose). When he retired a local pub landlord bought the contents of the shop including the dead cats that had been left. He moved them all to his pub where he put them on display (including the dead cats!!) and renamed it Dirty Dick's.

Today the cats have gone and the place has got a clean up by the current owners, the Young’s Brewery. They have kept some of the character, there’s loads of exposed beams, creaking floorboards and little rooms to explore. Best to go during a quieter time to have a proper look around. It get's very busy with City drinkers most lunchtimes and on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Many pubs in the heart of the City close at weekends but this one is open from 11am.

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