Charming old historic pub with a great selection of beer, liquor, and wines. We were greeted promptly as we arrived and at noon, plenty of seating still available, but quickly finished by 12:30-12:45pm. We chose to eat and drink in the downstairs bar which required ordering at the bar. We opted for a couple of beers and the beef and ale meat pie. The pie had a nice exterior that held all the ingredients inside quite well. The beef was tender and the ale gravy was delicious. The pie came with mashed potatoes and carrots. Everything was really tasty. Great pub to hang out in. read more

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I wanted a British pub experience, and I got that experience here! I loved the festive atmosphere or the first floor and the calm, homey vibe of the historic Christopher Wren dining room upstairs. My shepherd's pie was tasty pub grub. I enjoyed every single bite. The lamb was fork tender. My wife loved her steak ale pie. She said it tasted like her grandmother's! This historic upstairs made for a great setting for our first dinner in London! read more

Ye Olde Watling - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Awesome food and drink. Place is always packed and a bit loud unless you're seated in the back. Service is quick and friendly. Fun place to drink and catch up with friends. read more

The next stop on our journey to gain additional British pub knowledge led us to "Ye Olde Watling." Talk about humble beginnings, it was built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London destroyed the prior building on this site. This historic pub first opened its doors in 1668 and the construction plans for St. Paul's Cathedral (just down the way) were drawn up in what is now their dining room. This cozy setting is a great place to escape the rain and take a respite from your sightseeing adventures. And that's...Henry's Take. #britishpubknowledge read more

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Quaint pub with great ambiance, solid array of nibbles, great taps and super helpful staff. Next time I'm in London I'm certainly stopping back in. read more

Old pub with nice atmosphere. Great ales on tap. Had the beef meat pie. Way too much fatty beef. Would come back to try the burger, it looked delicious. read more

Excellent pub fare and drinks at this historic pub. We enjoyed the fish and chips and a festive turkey pie washed down with good English ales. Staff was friendly and professional. read more

Ye Olde Watling - Turkey Pie with Mash and Gravy - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

3.5 stars As a tourist who enjoys pubs, I was hoping to spend a bit of time in the London sunshine enjoying a pint during my week in London. I was thrilled when I found a historic pub crawl in a guide book and a couple of the recommendations were placed I already had bookmarked. I decided to go for it! Let me tell you, Ye Olde Watling was hard as fuck to find. As of August 2016 there is construction at corner of Bow and Cannon and then the pub is a full block off Cannon (on Watling) which was not obvious on the map and is not visible from Cannon. Once you get inside, it's decent but nothing too special. There are some nice leather bar seats with backs and that was exactly what I needed after a 45 min walk from London Tower. The crowd is a combination of after work locals mixed with tourists eating fish and chips with pints of ale (the couple with the fish and chips was oddly following the same tour I was). My Guinness was £4.30 and the bartender was really nice. There is free wifi and they serve breakfast until noon. read more

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Great selection of cask ales and friendly service! A regular spot for a quick one before heading home

Cozy little spot, very quiet in the afternoon. Excellent meat pies. read more

#5 on the Historic Blackfriars Ale Trail list, the Ye Olde Watling is kind of hard to find unless you're familiar with the Blackfriars area. I spent fifteen minutes the first time consulting three maps trying in vain to find this place. It's tucked in-between many business buildings, along a long cobble stone road across from one of the exits of Mansion House Tube Station. This was another stop on my attempt to complete National Writer's Month and pen 50,000 words. For a Nicholson's its in a nice location to go to before the after work hours. As soon as 5pm comes around it is swarming with suites! Possibly a good place to try to make some new friends, if you're American conversation will never be lacking here during 5-7pm. I however, can come midday, enjoyed how the main front was sweet and cosy. There was an upstairs dinning room, but as I didn't want to get any food I followed the cute signs towards the back of the pub. Its got some eclectic furniture that really suited me. I settled in with my pint ready to create. I don't remember if there was a step to get into the main bar area, all I can say is that if there is a ramp/small step this place is only wheelchair assessable for the main bar area. Same menu/beer list as the others. The staff were sweet and friendly, it is strange seeing a girl typing on a laptop with a pint next to it. From what I remember the restrooms where pleasant, I had enough room for myself and my large shoulder bag to do what I needed. I was there during the winter so they had little light decorations, I felt so warm and secure after walking around in the freezing air outside. I'm glad I was able to find this pub, it's ok for groups unless you don't mind standing outside where there is ample room. Early or late, this is the place to enjoy a nice afternoon/evening. read more

One of the busier pubs in the area come 8.30pm on a Friday evening, we could here the chatter from this place from down the street when we were looking for our next waterling hole. Once we'd settled in, we didn't leave until closing time - so I guess that says something right? Gritty barmaids serving a decent range of booze in a wooden room which felt like it had some decent history attached to it. The toilets are down some perilous steps (they become more of a death-trap the more you drink). It's a nice alternitive to the twat-magnet bars in the area. read more

I loved loved loved this pub. We spend the day walking around the city and came into warm up. The bartenders were super nice. Found a place to sit and relax. It was warm and not too many people inside. I would come back here soon. read more

Holla at the church next door for having free wifi! We stumbled on Ye Olde Watling on our historic old english pub crawl adventure. Pubs are quintessential to the english way of life and there are a plethora of pubs that have stood the test of time with their own history behind them not to mention their own line of beers on tap. Seriously aside from the tourist must hit list, go on a trip and hit up the old historical pubs. Ye Olde Watling dates back from 1668 and built from Old Ships' timbers by Sit Christopher Wren who used the upstairs rooms as offices during the construction of St. Paul's Cathedral. It is also believed that the our pub catered for Wren's workmen after the Great Fire. Along with it's intriguing history, the bar boasts distinctive corner building and vibrant atmosphere popular with the businessmen in the surrounding work district. Bartenders are great and pump some good ales. read more

BE CAREFUL ON THE STAIRS DOWN TO THE LOOS! I once watched in absolute horror as my poor (sober) sister tumbled down them right in front of me and there was NOTHING I could do about it. I still have nightmares about that. This place gets absolutely packed on a warm Friday evening, and spills out into the narrow pedestrianised streets around it. Unfortunately there is no control on smoking outside, so there is a permanent smog of toxic fumes enveloping the exterior. However, once you get inside (and avoid breaking your neck on the stairs) it's really pretty, and old - the website says: "Said to be built from old ships' timbers by Sir Christopher Wren, Ye Olde Watling has a remarkable heritage dating to 1668. It stands on Watling Street, a Roman road leading out of the City via Ludgate. One claim to fame is that our upstairs rooms were used as a drawing office during the building of St Paul's Cathedral. We also think our pub catered for Wren's workmen after the Great Fire." - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/yeoldewatlingwatlingstreetlondon It looses stars for the dangerous steps (-2) and the fog of smoke that you have to walk through to get in (-1) but gets two stars for history, service and ambience. read more

Wow, what history. One of a handfull historic and exceptionally old pubs in Lindon. Right next to St. Paul's, so don't miss. read more

Ye Olde Watling - Plaque telling history of pub. About 450 yes old. - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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Came here for a drink on a Wednesday evening a few weeks ago. I was hoping for good weather as it is nice to stand outside but due to showers we were inside all evening. The interior is very small and so very crowded with the after work groups, it would be great on a cold winters night. I believe that it is one of the older pubs in the city so worth checking out for that alone! read more

You will find Ye Olde Watling in Watling Street London within a short stroll of Cheapside, Mansion House Tube and Cannon Street - however you won't find another like it. Step in to discover a traditional pub of unique character, revered for its eclectic range of real ales and its quality pub food, which are served, as they should be, with a generous measure of famous British hospitality. Said to be built from old ships' timbers by Sir Christopher Wren, Ye Olde Watling has a remarkable heritage dating to 1668. It stands on Watling Street, a Roman road leading out of the City via Ludgate. One claim to fame is that some of the upstairs rooms were used as a drawing office during the building of St Paul's Cathedral and catered for Wren's workmen after the Great Fire. Ye Olde Watling is one of many rare gems in the Nicholson's collection of great British pubs, reputed for their distinctive buildings, intriguing history and vibrant atmosphere. read more

We came here for drinks and Were nicely surprised as we have been to 3 other Nicholson's pubs by which we were dissapointed. Ye Olde Watling has nice selections of wines and cask ales. I had the Sauvignon Blanc by Oyster Bay and my boyfriend had 13 Guns (Ale) and both of us were very pleased. Will definitely come back for more. read more

Ye Olde Watling - Beers of the world - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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If its one thing that I'll remember if I were to leave London, it would be this pub. Not only this pub is from historic times (built for the builders/labourers of St.Pauls cathedral) the interior just oozes of old school times. The food- Better compared to other pubs, as you expect nice large portions and tasty WITH flavour! Not bland. I had the burger with the lot. Booze n staff- Has loot beer of tap, over 15. Wines n spirits are in full view behind staff, prices are average.Staff are real friendly and fast I personally never had to wait for more than minutes. The crowd, tend to be full of suites ie bankers, accountants etc since its in the financial district of London. Lunchtimes again to be full of work people with a dash of tourists here n there. The bonus of this pub is that is right in front of mansion house station, so if you do have a big night you'll manage to get home ;) Lastly, if you stand outside of this pub, you have a clear view of St.pauls cathedral. read more

Another great pub in the St. Paul's/Bank area. My friends and I slipped in today for a quick pint and to warm up after yet another brutally cold January day. The pub is cute and cozy and the drinks were more than reasonable - in fact, they charged us less than what the menu listed. It was nice to see a pub open in that area on a Saturday and I'll definitely keep it in mind in the future. read more

This Bow Lane pub attracts a large after-work crowd. The drinks and food a are on point, if not especially remarkable, and service is prompt and polite. If you're looking a drink in the city and a great atmosphere on a weekday, you could do a lot worse. read more

What a charming little place for a lunchtime pint. A great range of really well kept ales, brilliant buzz an all within spitting distance of the office. I'd rate this as an absolute find. read more

You have to visit if you like your ales. They have a constantly revolving list of local and regional brewers, and they treat the barrels properly. And they have Bombardier, one of the nicest beers you can buy! The ales are incredibly cheap considering the place is bang in the middle of the city, and the food is pretty good staple pub food - bangers and mash, pies and the like at around £8 for a main. bustling, busy and happy after work (I used to work nearby but still come back to visit!). A 'proper' pub. read more

Walked in to no seats in bar area. Asked the server who was folding napkins if we could sit in dining area. Server said yes and we sat ourselves, and waited. After 5 minutes husband went back to the bar to check draft offerings. While there he also asked server (who was still folding napkins) if we should order food and drink at the bar or if someone would be waiting on us, she said someone would be back. We waited another 5 minutes and no one came. She continued to fold napkins as we walked out despite 2 other couples walking in. Obviously did not give a crap about serving the tables. read more

A very likable old City pub I used to meet friends in for a good pint. I am shocked to see that nobody seems to give it any credit.

Ah Jim lad! Ye Olde Watling! Shiver me timbers! Sorry, just sounded like an ideal time to try out my pirate impression! There is a reason for my temporary madness though! Full of character and possessing an adequate selection of ales, this pub always makes me think I'm in the Captain's quarters on the back of a wooden frigate with the skull and crossbones flying atop of the mast. I put it down to the wooden panelled surroundings and large picture windows or perhaps too many ales!! Am I the only one??? Anyway, another favorite of mine when I venture into the City's square mile. Located in a narrow, boutique filled cobbly street in the heart of the City, this is an ideal place to while away the afternoon either flicking expertly through your Financial Times or simply "people gazing" as unknowing peds (pedestrians!) pass by the windows. It's also a great place to meet your mates for a pint or two after work. Highly recommended at Halloween or Christmas time when the friendly Landlord goes to town with the decorations!!! read more